In what was perhaps Herter's most elegant lighting fixture, the Sunflower Lantern was selected for the main entrance to the El Mirasol estate by his wife Mary Herter and their son, the respected artist Albert Herter. This solid bronze lantern hung at the Herter family estate from 1909 until 1969.

Entering the main Herter mansion, Christian Herter's 'Sunflower Lantern' greeted the famous Herter guests.

'Elegance and an ornate richness in design, the Christian Herter bronze Sunflower Lantern is a powerful piece of art. It is bold and perfectly proportioned in both scale and elegance, a true Herter masterwork'. (see Herter Archetype PDF)

Many Herter Brothers masterworks have often incorporated 'a distinctive Japanesque theme and extraordinary Sunflower inlays'. Christian Herter selected the "Sunflower Motif" in much of his work including his crafted furniture, wallpaper and lighting fixture designs.

Standing over six foot tall, this ornate lighting fixture was perhaps Herter's finest -and surely the most elegant, combining Japanesque themes with the Herter's sunflower motif.

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Christian Herter designed a Japanese three-claw "Tatsu" Royal Dragon as the guardian of the Lantern's inner light. Mystically, the 'Japanese Royal Dragon had ability to change sizes at will, and protect the home from all harm'. (see photo below left)

The upper portion features the Herter 'sunflower cluster' design, surrounded by six bronze elephants. Uniquely hinged bronze chain links hang from the elephant tusks to the lower section of the lantern.

This Herter lantern is truly museum quality artwork of exceptional beauty. The Sunflower cluster motif is repeated in various sizes on each of the bronze panels. Ornate scrolls appear between the bronze panels. (see photo below)

The lower section features six bronze 'Tatsu' Royal Dragons, and resting upon six bronze water buffalos. The Herter sunflower motif blends well, combining unique American and Asian design themes, a truly American Decorative Arts classic as only Christian Herter could accomplish.

Herter's use of the 'mystical' Japanese dragons, the 'modern' Asian elephants, the 'traditional' Japanese-Chinese-style clouds' blends well with the Herter 'Sunflower motif', producing an harmonious work of art.

Created in the mid 1800's, Christian Herter's Sunflower Lantern has a well-aged bronze patina of over one hundred and thirty years. One of it's bronze main sunflower panels is 'hinged' and opens to access the inner light.

Standing over six foot tall and weighing approximately ninety pounds, this bronze Sunflower Lantern is 'bold and perfectly proportioned in both scale and elegance, a true Herter masterwork'.

Review the NEW Acrobat PDF file discussing the Sunflower Lantern, 'Herter Archetype' (PDF). This indepth article compares this lantern to other Herter lantern designs. "The Sunflower lantern is an archetype to the style that Christian Herter was to develop".

	The Provanance and past history of Christian Herter's Sunflower Lantern is available. This documents earliest known photo appearance at the entry to the El Mirasol Herter family estate in 1909.
		Christian Herter's Sunflower Lantern is estimated to have been created in mid 1800s. It remained with the Herter family, and in 1909 became the main entry fixture for the Herter family mansion in Santa Barbara, California. This estate showcased Herter Art. Upon Mary Herter's death in 1913, it's ownership transferred to their son, Albert Herter. In 1914, Albert Herter converted the Herter family estate into the luxury 'El Mirasol Hotel'. The Christian Herter Sunflower Lantern remained prominently displayed. The 'Sunflower Lantern' remained hanging above main entrance after the property was sold by Albert Herter. The Sunflower Lantern continued as the main entry fixture until 1969, when the property was destroyed by fire. A large portion of the El Mirasol Herter Art was sold at that time. A private 'Herter Art Collection' was created by the last owners of the property. This included: several oil paintings and textiles by Albert Herter; Herter Brothers furniture and the Sunflower Lantern by Christian Herter; plus various items from the estate. Over the years, artwork from this collection were sold or gifted, including an oil painting by Albert Herter of 'Robert Louis Stevenson in Costume', two self portraits by Albert Herter (one of which, 'Albert Herter in Costume of Hamlet' now resides in the Smithsonian Museum), Portrait of Adele Herter by Albert Herter, and several finely carved Herter Brothers chairs and tables. Several Albert Herter (Herter Looms) murals and oil paintings were also sold. The Christian Herter Sunflower Lantern remains in this private collection, and is available for purchase. Additional Herter Art is available, including with two matching Gold-Stenciled Red Velvet Curtains, by Albert Herter (1909 - Herter Looms); and other items from this estate. Documentation and 'Letters of Authenticity' are available.

With a keen interest in Japanese art, Christian Herter designed and created this one-of-a-kind bronze lantern, blending American and Asian design themes. The Herter Sunflower Lantern has a size that can accommodate a larger painting, and an ability to project multiple profiles.

This extraordinary presentation piece is as distinctive as it is ornate and beautiful. It was proudly displayed above the main entrance of the El Mirasol Herter family mansion.