An historic painting and its subject have been reunited for the first time in 150 years.
The lantern, pictured with Emma Voyzey, press officer for auction house Bonham & Brooks, depicted in William Holman Hunt's The Light of the World, and the painting itself were yesterday brought together for public view at Keble College, Oxford.
The lantern was discovered hanging in the present owner's stairwell by auctioneer and pre-Raphaelite expert Alistair Laird.
Emma Voyzey
It will be sold at auction on October 31 and is expected to fetch between £15,000 to £25,000.
The lantern was designed and commissioned by Holman Hunt for the painting.
Both the lantern and the painting were originally owned by Thomas Combe, whose widow bequeathed the work to Keble College. The lantern remained in the family.
A spokesman for Bonhams & Brooks said: "The lantern has never been on public view and its importance cannot be over-stressed."
**Picture: Jon Lewis
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