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.
Pair Italian Chinoiserie Porcelain Nodding Head Figures, Mid 20th Century, Italy
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Austin, TX
A fine pair of Italian porcelain chinoiserie nodding head figures of a Chinese Mandarin couple, made for the Marbo Lamp Company, circa 1960's, Inl...
Porcelain
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
H 3.15 in W 2.37 in D 3.15 in
20th Century Mini White Dalmatian Dog Sculpture, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Painted ceramic, very good original vintage condition. No damages or cracks. Beautiful and unique decorative sculpture. Mini White Poodle Dog Sculpture was produced in Italy. Only on...
Ceramic
H 2.76 in W 5.52 in D 1.58 in
20th Century Mini White Dalmatian Dog Sculpture, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Painted ceramic, very good original vintage condition. No damages or cracks. Beautiful and unique decorative sculpture. Mini White Dalmatian Dog Sculpture was produced in Italy. Only...
Ceramic
Large Swedish Ceramic Vase / Table Lamp Base by Vicke Lindstrand & Upsala Ekeby
By Upsala Ekeby, Vicke Lindstrand
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
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
H 9 in W 2.5 in D 9 in
Mid 20th Century Signed French Ceramic by Andrée and Michel Hirlet
By Andrée & Michel Hirlet
Located in Wainscott, NY
Mid-20th Century Signed Ceramic Sculpture by Andrée & Michel Hirlet An evocative hand-built French ceramic by Andrée and Michel Hirlet, created in Paris in the early 1960s. The ...
Ceramic
H 19 in W 8 in D 8 in
Pair of 19th Century Limoges Monvoisin Porcelain Figurines
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a stunning pair of mid to late 19th century French Limoges Bisque porcelain figurines from circa 1870. One is of a lady in period dress/attire cradling a Dove. All hand-painted and decorated to the finest quality. The base is marked with the makers initials “C.H.”. She is made of fine bisque porcelain in the Old Paris porcelain style. The other is of a gentleman set...
Porcelain, Paint
H 17.5 in W 6 in D 6 in
Antique Pair Japanese Chinese Imari Porcelain Ormolu Table Lamps Blue Red Gilt
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Pair Traditional Japanese Imari Bulbous Form Porcelain Vases of medium to large proportions, now converted to a pair of electric Table Lamps, complete with ormolu stepped ci...
Ormolu
H 1.97 in W 0.79 in D 1.97 in
20th Century Mini White Dalmatian Dog Sculpture, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Painted ceramic, very good original vintage condition. No damages or cracks. Beautiful and unique decorative mini sculpture. Mini White Dalmatian Dog Sculpture was produced in Italy....
Ceramic
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
H 3.15 in W 1.97 in D 3.15 in
20th Century Mini White Poodle Dog Sculpture, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Painted ceramic, very good original vintage condition. No damages or cracks. Beautiful and unique decorative sculpture. Mini White Poodle Dog Sculpture wa...
Ceramic
H 22.45 in Dm 7.09 in
Antique Michael Andersen & Son of Bornholm Painted Pottery Vase Table Lamp
By Michael Andersen & Son
Located in Søborg, DK
Antique and rare painted pottery vase table lamp made by Michael Andersen & Son of Bornholm Designed by Daniel Andersen for the camouflage series. With a beautiful blue and yellow gl...
Pottery
H 4 in Dm 10.38 in
Mid-Late 20th Century Italian Richard Ginori Cake Stand
By Richard Ginori
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-late 20th century Richard Ginori cake stand, Italy. In his Chinese red & gilt rooster design. 10 3/8" dia., 4" h. We are a family business that has been a major source for t...
Ceramic
H 38 in W 9 in D 9 in
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
H 34 in W 9 in D 9 in
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