The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
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
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
48
343
37
32
28
Creator: The Marbro Lamp Company
Chinese Porcelain Celadon Glazed Vase Table Lamp by Marbro
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Splendid Chinese porcelain celadon glazed vase mounted as a table lamp by Marbro Lamp Company. Features a 17 inch high celadon or greenware vase su...
Category
20th Century American Hollywood Regency The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Brass
Related Items
Antique Pair Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Ormolu Table Lamps Blue Green Gilt
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exceptionally Fine Pair of Cantonese Hand Decorated Porcelain Oil Lamps with ornate Ormolu bases now converted to Electric Table Lamps, of medium proportions, (see last image in s...
Category
19th Century Chinese Late Victorian Antique The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Ormolu
A pair of celadon crackle glazed porcelain vases mounted as table lamps.
Located in Den Haag, NL
A pair of celadon crackle glazed porcelain vases mounted as table lamps.
Beautiful color . 20th Century China. Large E27 bulb needed .
Category
1970s Chinese Hollywood Regency Vintage The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Porcelain Dragon Vase Lamp
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century baluster form vase, the body decorated with a polychrome dragon upon a green glazed ground. Now mounted as a lamp and set upon a turned giltwood base.
Dimensio...
Category
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Celadon Glazed Porcelain Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of celadon glazed porcelain lamps with gilt brass decorations.
to the top of the porcelain 16 inch,
lampshades are not included
Category
21st Century and Contemporary The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Vintage Japanese Chinese Imari Porcelain Ormolu Table Lamp Blue Red
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Traditional Japanese Imari hand decorated Porcelain Vase of seldom seen double gourd form glazed porcelain, of generous proportions, now converted to an Electric Table Lamp,...
Category
19th Century Japanese Early Victorian Antique The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Lamps
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of hand painted Chinese porcelain lamps with simple carved wood bases. These are in a classic Rose Medallion pattern. The wiring is in great condition and ready to use. The sh...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Tall Marbro Lamp Company Table Lamps in Porcelain
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful elegant pair of tall Marbro lamps, circa 1960s, porcelain bases freshly rewired brass sockets, great condition Lampshades not included.
Category
20th Century North American Hollywood Regency The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Brass
Very Fine Chinese Porcelain Vase Mounted as Table Lamp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Chinese porcelain vase mounted as a lamp with a round tiered gilt bronze or brass base embossed with berries and leaves. The lamp with cameos and panels of florals and birds that are...
Category
20th Century Asian Ming The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Oxblood Glazed Ceramic Vase Table Lamp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very fine quality Asian Style tall necked Vase in oxblood glaze mounted on a gilt wood base. Brass Leviton double bulb sockets and an adjustable height...
Category
20th Century Hollywood Regency The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
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 Ceramics
Materials
Composition
Chinese Export Prunus Vase, Now as a Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Prunus Vase, Now as a Lamp
Early 20th Century, China
Dimensions: Height: 24 in Diameter: 7 in
Bring home this beautifully crafted Chinese E...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
Turquoise Glazed Chinese Ceramic Table Lamp with Crackle Glaze
Located in Verviers, BE
Inspired by a centuries-old technique of Chinese ceramics, this elegant table lamp is a bright and dramatic shade of turquoise with a fine crackle glaze.
The dimensions are measured...
Category
1950s French Art Nouveau Vintage The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Previously Available Items
Pair of Chinese Celadon Style Vase Table Lamps by Marbro
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Midcentury pair of Chinese celadon style vase table lamps by Marbro. Features a beautiful celadon vase glazed with foliate blossom design in white. Mounted to a round wooden base wit...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
Materials
Brass
The Marbro Lamp Company ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.
The Marbro Lamp Company ceramics are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of The Marbro Lamp Company ceramics, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original ceramics by The Marbro Lamp Company were created in the Hollywood Regency style in united states during the 20th century. Prices for The Marbro Lamp Company ceramics can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $950 and can go as high as $950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $950.
Questions About The Marbro Lamp Company Ceramics
- 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.