Our Process - American Artisans Handcrafting Cape Cod's Finest Fixtures
The Nauset Lantern Shop was established in 1959 on historic Route 6A on Cape Cod in Orleans, MA. In almost half a century we have not lost sight of our original mission: to faithfully create copper, brass and pewter reproductions of Early American, Colonial, Onion and Nautical Marine lighting fixtures.
To enter our shop is to travel back to a time where you will see hand tools and hand-operated machinery more than a century old. Using templates and patterns originally designed and used to manufacture oil and candle fired lanterns, we ensure our present day, handcrafted lanterns are true and loyal to the enduring style and lasting quality of their ancestors.
The hand-operated equipment and crafting process we use, is the same as that of our forefathers. Flat sheets of copper, brass or pewter, are cut using those century-old templates as guides. Those sheets are folded, beaded and ridged all by hand. Even the hinges, latches and handles are hand-crafted authentically.
The age old art of soldering and attention to detail is something we pride ourselves on. The strong soldering joints are bonded to ensure stability and a lifetime of beauty. These acquired skills include the expertise to "blind" solder many joints; this process takes longer but results in a lantern that will stand the test of time.
Using hand operated machinery, our coppersmiths cut, fold, bend and bead fabricating lantern parts. We hand fit each handcrafted copper part to ensure long lasting quality and integrity that stands the test of time.
The personal and traditional handcrafting process continues as our coppersmiths hand solder lantern parts. Many joints are tinned with a soldering iron, and then soldered together with a torch for joints that stand the test of time.
Our Copper smiths blind solder inside joints, using soldering skills developed since the 1935 founding of our shop, the result is strong joints with no exposed solder.
Onion and Navigation Lamp vertical and horizontal guards are wrapped with 20 gauge copper wire then soldered with a torch for a never fail joint.
CHRIS BERARDI
Before Nauset Lantern, Chris had been honing his skills as a carpenter for almost 20 years. When he’s not working, you can find him creating large runs of woodwork, whether it be for a jobsite, holiday gifts, or mere fun. He's always challenging himself to try new ideas and methods to increase both quality and efficiency.
KELLY BERARDI
In 2019, Chris and Kelly became the fifth owners of the Nauset Lantern Shop. The two met in college at Villanova University and consequently named their own lantern creation the “Nova” (a modern take on the Onion lantern). Her favorite part of the job is working with homeowners to bring their decor visions to life.
JIM
Jim has been with Nauset Lantern for seventeen years, calling it a “fun place to work.” At twelve years old, his father gave him a solder set. He most enjoys making Onion lanterns, given their ties to Cape Cod and New England. As a retired cop, Jim went from “cop shop” to “copper shop.”
BOB
Bob has been working for the Nauset Lantern Shop for twenty-two years. When he was only seven, he started fixing the bikes of his friends. His favorite lantern to make is the Williamsburg. As a retired engraver, he has been working with metal all his life.
DAKOTA
Dakota has been with Nauset Lantern for one and a half years. He took Art Metal / Jewelry classes throughout high school. His favorite lantern to make is the Tonset.
