The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
The Marbro Lamp Company was one of the finest lamp producers during the mid-1900s. Its pieces were mainly sold in a handful of exclusive furniture shops. Marbro was the go-to supplier of Hollywood Regency and mid-century modern style lighting for interior designers. Its table lamps, chandeliers, floor lamps and wall sconces have graced the homes of many celebrities.
Brothers Morris and Elliott Markoff founded the Marbro Lamp Company in 1934. Its name is a combination of “Markoff” and “brothers.” The brothers relocated from Chicago to southern California after the end of World War II and set up an assembly plant in the garment district of Los Angeles.
Vases and objets d’art, sourced from all over the world, were used as lamp bases. The brass bases came from India, alabaster from Italy, porcelain from Japan and China and crystal from Germany and France. Murano glass and whimsical bronze figurines were two of the more popular base materials.
Marbro lamps were one-of-a-kind and took between 75 and 90 days to complete. Occasionally, they were made from sculptures that customers brought into the factory. Highly skilled woodturners and shade-makers crafted lampshades and wooden bases in Marbro’s shop. Some metal and glass pieces went through paint or staining treatments. The company’s best-known products were these table lamps, but it also produced a wide variety of decorative objects.
The Masco Corporation acquired the Marbro Lamp Company in 1987. Its Los Angeles assembly plant shuttered its doors in 1990. Its equipment and remaining inventory were moved to LaBarge Mirrors — a Masco subsidiary — in Michigan. Shortly after, the production of Marbro lamps ended.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Marbro Lamp Company lighting, decorative objects and more.
to
29
131
131
1
55
32
4
3
3
2
2
1
130
1
1
99
11
25
32
9
1
83
63
44
40
35
90
82
32
32
6
132
132
132
49
8,866
3,914
2,538
2,229
Creator: The Marbro Lamp Company
1950’s American Gold Lotus Flower Lamp by the Marbro Company
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Hastings, GB
An exquisite brass table lamp by the renowned Marbro Company, made in the 1950’s, the piece displays influences of Art Nouveau and Brutalist styles, the detailed lotus flower with buds to the centre, features brutalist embellishment to the central stem.
The lamp has a single large bayonet lamp fitting, a true interiors piece, and highly collectable from one of America’s most after lighting manufacturers.
Without shade Height 87cm x Base Width 23cm.
Shade is not included, purely a modern replacement for photographic purposes
The Marbro Company
The company was founded by Morris Markoff and his brother, hence the name Marbro from Markoff brothers. They started the company shortly after WWII. The company was located in a 3 story brick building in the garment district of Los Angeles, just south of downtown right by the Santa Monica Freeway. During the time they ran the company, they sold almost as many antiques as they did lamps.
Marbro sold their products mainly through interior designers and a few upscale furniture stores. You would not find a Marbro product in a chain furniture store or a discount store. Most of the products were built to order. A typical order from a designer or retailer took between 75 and 90 days to complete.
Most of the components that made up the lamp bodies (ceramic, brass, glass, etc) were purchased from small companies around the world. In the later years almost all of the brass came from India. For the most part, none of the bodies were made on site. Marbro was well-known for importing a variety of unique lighting components from all over the world. Italy was the source for alabaster, Japan and China for Porcelain, Brass in India and Crystal from Germany...
Category
1950s American Art Nouveau Vintage The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Marbro Brass Empire Style Pendant Lamp
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare and exceptional Marbro shaded Empire style hanging light. Solid brass body with solid brass filigreed Silhouette handles and large top finial. Double brass socket with brass bal...
Category
1950s American Vintage The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Brass
$3,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian Ceramic Faience Table Lamp by Marbro
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large Italian ceramic lidded urn table lamp by Marbro Lamp Co. featuring a faience hand-painted body with Indigo blue flowers and foliage. Supported by a turned ceramic plinth...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Marbro Coral and White Porcelain Neoclassical Lamps
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Neoclassical styling and beautiful coloring distinguish these Marbro table lamps. Gilt metal base and banding on a lovely coral and white ceramic urn form body. Original custom shade...
Category
1950s American Vintage The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Marbro Gilt Baluster Form Table Lamps
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Chicago, IL
In impeccable condition, these lamps by Marbro have a black lacquered base, Asian ornamentation, and a gilt body. Complete with original black finials and renowned Marbro attention t...
Category
1950s American Vintage The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Metal
$2,800 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Large Marbro Graduated Gilt Orb Table Lamp
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chic stacked ball table lamp with copper patinated crackle finish. The orbs are exceptional metal castings with finely detailed recessed relief texture. Base and finial are gilt in c...
Category
20th Century American Hollywood Regency The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Copper, Metal
$1,500 Sale Price
31% Off
Vintage Clear Marbro Amphora Murano Table Lamp
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in North Miami, FL
Extraordinary example of Marbro lamps in urn design mounted on square chrome base. Two sockets. Shade NOT included.
Category
1970s Italian Classical Roman Vintage The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Marbro Ribbed Brass Lamp
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage mid century table lamp by Marbro. Ribbed and made of polished brass.
Dimensions:
Diameter 7.5” x Base Diameter 5.75...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Brass
Marbro Table Lamp Chinese Peacocks
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Toledo, OH
Marbro lamp with carved Asian designs of peacocks and foliage. Original finish. Good wiring. Shade is not included.
Category
1970s North American Modern Vintage The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Composition
Brilliant Blue Mid-century Murano lamp by Marbro c. 1960
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Mid-century Murano lamp by Marbro Lamp Co.c. 1960, of highest quality, in rich blue, the column mounted on a brass base.
21” h. from bottom of the base to the top of the glass; 30”...
Category
20th Century American The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Marbro Table Lamp
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Signed and numbered Marbro ceramic table lamp with new finial. Shade not included.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Murano Glass Table Lamp by Cenedese for Marbro
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in New York, NY
Nice tall Murano glass lamp by Cenedese for Marbro
Circa 1980's
Category
1960s American Vintage The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass, Lucite
The Marbro Lamp Company furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
The Marbro Lamp Company furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of The Marbro Lamp Company furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by The Marbro Lamp Company were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Gerald Thurston, Stiffel, and Robert Sonneman. Prices for The Marbro Lamp Company furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $375 and can go as high as $22,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,250.
Creators Similar to The Marbro Lamp Company
Questions About The Marbro Lamp Company Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024No, the Marbro Lamp Company is not still in business. The Masco Corporation acquired the company in 1987. Its Los Angeles assembly plant shuttered its doors in 1990, and its equipment and remaining inventory were moved to La Barge Mirrors, a Masco subsidiary, in Michigan. Shortly after, the production of Marbro lamps ended. Find a diverse assortment of Marbro Lamp Company lighting on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024The history of Marbro lamps dates back to 1934, when brothers Morris and Elliott Markoff founded the Marbro Lamp Company. The brothers relocated from Chicago to southern California after the end of World War II and set up an assembly plant in the garment district of Los Angeles. Vases and objets d'art sourced from all over the world were used as lamp bases. The brass bases came from India, alabaster from Italy, porcelain from Japan and China and crystal from Germany and France. Murano glass and whimsical bronze figurines were two of the more popular base materials. Marbro lamps were one of a kind and took between 75 and 90 days to complete. Occasionally, they were made from sculptures that customers brought into the factory. Highly skilled woodturners and shade-makers crafted lampshades and wooden bases in Marbro's shop. The company's best-known products were these table lamps, but it also produced a wide variety of decorative objects. The Masco Corporation acquired the Marbro Lamp Company in 1987. Its Los Angeles assembly plant shuttered its doors in 1990. Its equipment and remaining inventory were moved to LaBarge Mirrors — a Masco subsidiary — in Michigan. Shortly after, the production of Marbro lamps ended. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Marbro lamps.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023There is no single best company for table lamps. A well-crafted antique or vintage table lamp does more than provide light; the right fixture-and-table combination can add a focal point or creative element to any interior, and over the years, many manufacturers and designers have offered a range of visually appealing table lamps. Examples include Artemide, Gordon & Jane Martz, FLOS, Søholm Stentøj, Louis Poulsen and many others. Shop a large collection of table lamps on 1stDibs.