In an era of mass production, why has Bevolo remained committed to handcraftsmanship?

Because the things that make a lantern truly beautiful cannot be replicated by automation. A handcrafted lantern carries the subtle marks of the person who built it — the hand-riveted seams, the shaping of the copper, the balance and proportion. Those details create warmth and authenticity. We’ve never been interested in making the most lanterns; we’ve always been focused on making lanterns that last for generations. In many ways, our process is slower today than modern manufacturing would allow, but that’s exactly why the finished product feels timeless.

How important is the hand-riveting technique to both the longevity and character of the lanterns?

It’s absolutely central to both. Hand riveting is one of the defining characteristics of a Bevolo lantern. Structurally, rivets allow the lantern to expand and contract naturally over decades of exposure to heat, humidity, and the elements without weakening the body of the fixture. But beyond performance, the rivets also create the visual rhythm and texture that people instantly recognize. They give the lantern soul. Every rivet is set by hand, one at a time, and you can feel that level of care when you stand in front of the finished piece.

How difficult is it today to find and train artisans with these skills?

It’s definitely become more challenging because so much of this kind of craftsmanship has disappeared. Most people simply haven’t had exposure to working with their hands in this way anymore. When we bring someone into the workshop, we’re not just teaching them a task — we’re teaching patience, precision, and pride in the process. It takes years to truly master the craft. But there’s also something incredibly rewarding about seeing younger artisans connect to these traditional techniques and realize they’re part of preserving a living piece of New Orleans history.

What details would most people never notice, but architects and designers always do?

Architects and designers almost always notice proportion first. The relationship between the glass, the copper frame, the roofline, and the scale of the flame all have to feel balanced to the architecture. They also pay attention to how the lantern ages over time. Natural copper develops a depth and patina that can’t be manufactured, and designers understand how beautifully that evolves against brick, stucco, wood, and landscaping. Another detail they notice immediately is the quality of light itself — not just illumination, but atmosphere. An open flame creates movement and warmth that electric lighting simply can’t fully imitate.

How collaborative is the process when developing lanterns for a custom home or hospitality project?

Very collaborative. Some of our best work comes from close partnerships with architects, interior designers, and landscape architects who have a strong vision for how they want a space to feel. We often begin by studying the architecture itself — the scale of the home, the materials, the historical references, even how guests or homeowners will approach the property at night. Hospitality projects especially become deeply collaborative because lighting plays such an important role in shaping the guest experience and creating a sense of place.

As the oldest, open-flame copper gas lantern company in America, Bevolo continues to evolve. Tell us about the innovative new patent you were recently granted.

Innovation has always been part of Bevolo, even though we’re deeply rooted in tradition. Our recently patented technology focuses on improving the performance and efficiency of open-flame gas lighting while preserving the authenticity and romance people expect from a Bevolo lantern. The challenge was finding a way to modernize certain functional aspects without losing the character of the live flame itself. That balance between heritage craftsmanship and thoughtful innovation is where we see the future of the company — respecting tradition while continuing to push the product forward.

What does handmade craftsmanship bring emotionally to a home that factory-made lighting cannot?

Handmade pieces create an emotional connection because they carry human intention within them. You can sense when something was made carefully, patiently, and with pride. A handcrafted lantern doesn’t just light a doorway or courtyard — it creates atmosphere, memory, and feeling. People gather around that glow. They associate it with home, hospitality, and warmth. Over time, the lantern becomes part of the architecture and part of the family’s story. That’s very different from something mass produced. A Bevolo lantern is designed not only to last physically, but to become more meaningful with age.

For more information on Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, visit bevolo.com | @bevolo

PRODUCED BY LESLIE NEWSOM RASCOE, MILIEU Design Director