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.
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Marbro Parcel-Gilt Ceramic Vase Table Lamp
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large parcel-gilt ceramic vase table lamp made by Marbro. Features a large ceramic vase with a pierced body decorated with a floral motif on e...
Brass
$1,995
H 17.5 in Dm 9 in
Large Swedish Ceramic Vase / Table Lamp Base by Vicke Lindstrand & Upsala Ekeby
By Vicke Lindstrand, Upsala Ekeby
Located in New York, NY
Large Swedish Mid-Century Modern white ceramic table lamp base / vase designed by Vicke Lindstrand for Upsala Ekeby. The form of the piece is elegantly conceived; it is tapered and fluted. The under glaze of the white exterior has burnt reddish tones which come through along the edges and give the piece depth and warmth. Furthermore, it is equipped with a pre-set drilled hole near the mouth which allows room for an electrical cord and for this piece to be used as a table lamp or a vase. Stamped: V.L. on base. Additional References: NK, Nordiska Kompaniet, Axel Einar Hjort, Carl Marmstrom, Orrefors...
Ceramic, Pottery
$800 / item
H 19 in Dm 9 in
Vintage Artisan Prem Collection Ceramic Vase Pre Drilled To be Made into a Lamp
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage artisan Prem Collection large ceramic vase from the mid 20th century with cream colored glaze, pre-drilled to be made into a table lamp. Created in Chiang Mai, northern Tha...
Ceramic
VeArt 1980s Cone Vase Table Lamp
By VeArt
Located in New York, NY
A signed VeArt Venezia green over white case glass with black accent cone vase or table lamp from 1983 in the Memphis style.
Blown Glass
Large Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn, Amphora Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large, heavy Empire style gilt and patinated bronze Amphora table lamp decorated with fine ornaments and garlands on a square base supported by four feet covered with leaves. Five-li...
Bronze
French Art Deco Vase Table Lamp, 1930s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A large Art Deco handcrafted pewter vase shape table lamp with beautiful high relief glass shade, France 1930s. One E27 light bulb socket. Measures: Height 25 in (63.5 cm) Diamet...
Pewter
English Porcelain Vase Table Lamp by Louis Nichole, 1999
By Franklin MInt
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Franklin Mint vase table lamp "Garden of Royalty" by Louis Nichole, world-famous artist, dated 1999. This luxurious lamp is of fine white porcelain with ...
Brass
$6,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in Dm 16 in
18th C. Table Lamp Ceramic Baluster Chinese blue Vase & Shade Finial Antiques LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
18th C. table lamp Ceramic Baluster Chinese blue Vase & Shade Finial Antiques LA . Very fine 18th century Chinese turquoise blue Baluster vase wi...
Ceramic, Fabric
$3,357 / item
H 5.91 in W 9.06 in D 1.58 in
Contemporary "LED Vase" Brass Table Lamp and Vase by Soft Baroque
By Soft Baroque
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The LED vase is a mixture of a vase and a lamp featuring LED lights. Comes with a remote control. The design duo soft Baroque blur the boundaries between acceptable furniture typ...
Brass
$524
H 12.6 in Dm 10.24 in
Table Lamp, Chinese, Porcelaine, Hand Painted, in a Vase Shape, China circa 1940
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vase, table lamp, in porcelain. It has been made in china, circa 1940. The decorative pattern are flowers and leaves.
Porcelain
$4,720Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29 in W 7.5 in D 19 in
Pair Chinoiseries Oriental Vases on Modern Plexiglas Table lamps Antiques LA CA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair Chinoiseries Oriental Vases on Modern Plexiglas Table lamps Antiques LA CA. Pair of beautiful 19th century chinoiserie oriental vases with plexiglass mounts wired as lamps With ...
Porcelain, Plexiglass, Paint
Imari Style Porcelain Vases Converted to Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of early 20th century Imari style porcelain vases converted to table lamps, with later brass mounts and fittings. Wired.
Brass
$818Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 10.74 in Dm 2.64 in
Marianne Starck Ceramic Lamps and Vase Set, Danish Mid-Century 1960s
By Marianne Starck, Michael Andersen & Son
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern ceramic pieces by ceramic artist Marianne Starck for Michael Andersen & Son. Two table lamps and one vase from the same series. Rectangular and geometri...
Stoneware, Ceramic, Pottery
Pair of Chinoiserie Blue and White Lamps by Marbro
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic Hollywood Regency period pair of blue and white porcelain chinoiserie vase table lamps by Marbro Lamp Co. Features a pair of Asian style jar...
Brass
Italian Ceramic Fruit Topiary Table Lamp by Marbro
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Beautiful Italian ceramic fruit topiary table lamp produced by Marbro Lamp Co. Features a colorful cornucopia of mixed fruit in a white basket. T...
Brass