Lost 19th-century Carnival lantern returns to Basel's Fasnacht after five decades in hiding
A rare 19th-century Carnival lantern, hidden for decades, will soon reappear at Basel's Fasnacht. Josef Meury, now 87, has kept the intricately crafted metal-and-glass piece safe since discovering it in the 1970s. The lantern's return highlights a long-standing tradition shaped by a historic fire ban.
The lantern's story begins in 1845, when Basel's police banned open flames during Carnival. This rule forced cliques to replace dangerous torches with safer alternatives—painted metal-and-glass pieces. The one now in Meury's care is a fine example, its detailed design making it an unusual survivor from that era.
Meury found the lantern while opening a secondhand shop in Basel during the 1970s. He took it with him to the Morgenstreich, the pre-dawn parade where the city's lights are switched off, and the only illumination comes from clique pieces. That year, his piece depicted a little man stands in the forest, a whimsical scene typical of Fasnacht's playful spirit.
Decades later, Moritz Kuhnel spotted the lantern in a small advertisement. Recognising its significance, he arranged to carry it in this year's Morgenstreich. For Kuhnel, the piece symbolises how Basel's people turned restrictions into creativity. Alain Grimm, who runs Documentation Basler Fasnacht, has worked for years to preserve such tangible traces of the festival—now a UNESCO-listed tradition since 2017.
The lantern's metal frame and glass panes set it apart from simpler designs. Its survival offers a direct link to the 1845 shift, proving how a safety regulation inspired an enduring art form.
The lantern will join Monday's Morgenstreich, starting at 4 a.m. as usual, with the city plunged into darkness. Its reappearance connects today's celebrations to a 179-year-old tradition of adaptation and craftsmanship. After five decades in Meury's care, the piece now carries new meaning for a wider audience.
