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 of Antique Chinese Porcelain Lamps
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of Chinese porcelain vases mounted as lamps. Square tapering vases with alternating panels with floral decorations on a white background. Mounted on mahogany colored bases. Wire...
Brass
Italian Murano Opaline Table Lamps by Marbro, Gilt Wood Base, 1950s
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Spectacular Pair of Italian Murano Opaline Lamps by Marbro. The Marbro Lamp Company was one of the leading manufacturers of high end lamps in the 1950’s. They sourced their bases fro...
Brass
Pair of Vintage Painted Carved Wood Urn Shaped Lamps
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of Vintage Painted Carved Wood Urn Shaped Lamps. The hand carved urn shaped body sits atop a square plinth base. Ebonized detailing accents the lamps. Lamps are wired with a double cluster light...
Wood, Paint
Pair of Italian Glazed Ceramic Urn Lamps With Grapes Clusters
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of Vintage Italian Glazed Ceramic Urn Lamps With Grapes Clusters, mounted on lucite bases. Newly wired with 3-way socket.
Brass
Pair of French Bronze Mounted Oxblood Lamps
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Gorgeous Pair of French Bronze Mounted Ox Blood Lamps. Each lamp mounted on a lucite bases. They were converted to lamps in the 1920's and the lucite bas...
Ceramic
Pair of French Pink Opaline Columnar Lamps with Brass Hardware.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Gorgeous Pair of French Pink Opaline Columnar Lamps. The baluster shaped column is raised on a round plinth base which sits atop a brass base. The lamps have been rewired and have ne...
Brass
Antique Pair of Shaped Hand-Painted Reserved Floral Lamps, 1900s
Located in Norton, MA
Early 20th Century Beautiful pair of shapely porcelain body lamps decorated with central cartouche of pink roses and polychromatic flowers framed by gilt tendrils. Good working condition, one light-switch cover...
Porcelain
Vintage Pair of Porcelain Urn Shaped Table Lamps in Pembroke Pattern
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Pair of vintage accent or table lamps feature a variation of the iconic Pembroke pattern; urn-shaped porcelain bodies are mounted on round ornamental brass bases and set with brass ...
Bronze
Pair of Ornate Floral Ceramic Urn Table Lamps With Carved Wood Bases
Located in Raymondville, TX
A striking pair of vintage ceramic urn or ginger jar table lamps featuring an exuberant allover botanical and butterfly motif in a palette of soft pink, purple, lavender, shades of b...
Metal, Brass
Pair Antique English Victorian Regency Lamps Hand Painted Tropical Floral Design
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Pair of Elegant, Porcelain, Glazed, Hand Painted Floral Victorian English Lamps This Sophisticated, Ginger-Jar Shaped Pair, creates a soft neutral, yet dramatic light source. The s...
Porcelain, Wool
Pair of Chinese Off-White Floral Porcelain Table Lamps on Carved Mahogany Base
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Chinese Off-White Floral Porcelain Table Lamps Mounted on Mahogany Base Measures: 5" in width, 5" in depth and 18" in height.
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.
Brass
