Historical information

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse-drawn_vehicle
http://www.coyaltix.com/lamps.html

Physical description

The candle light needed to be protected from the wind. This removeable light or lantern has 4 sides with 2 oblong bevelled glass panals, 3rd panel is plain with a heat vent and the 4th opens to light the lamp and has a 4.5 cm round red glass which would act as a reflector. The candle holder screws out to allow for a narrow candle to be inserted. It has a black ventilated cover on top and has slide fixture to attached the lamp on to the carriage.
.
Powerhouse Museum Collection Thesaurus
Protected lamps or lanterns, fixed or
removable, used on coaches or carriages.
Commonly made of brass, they often were
fitted with reflectors as well as red lenses
to serve as tail lights (Art and
Architecture Thesaurus).