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.
Marbro Company Alabaster Lamp
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid alabaster lamp, hand carved in Italy, in Chinoiserie style by Marbro Company. Lamps are sold separately and are slightly different heights noted below. Alabaster is 22"H. 2 ...
Alabaster, Brass
Solid Alabaster Table Lamp
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking, large, richly carved, solid, golden alabaster, beaker-form table lamp in the Chinese style. The whole surrounded by eight, segmented extrusions and embellished with incis...
Alabaster
Pair MId-Century Alabaster Lamps from The Marbro Lamp Company
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of alabaster urn shaped lamps , hand-carved in Italy, by The Marbro Lamp Company. Circa 1950's .New heavy textured linen shades are 20" in diameter.
Alabaster
Mid-Century Glass Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century glass table lamp with twisted column, gold flecked medallion accents and glass finial. New wiring and paper shade. 33" height is to top of finial. Shade diameter is 16".
Art Glass, Paper
Antique French Glazed Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A richly painted, glazed and parcel gilt gas table lamp, converted to electricity, with gilded mounts. Off-white woven 18" diameter lamp shade.
Metal
c. 1900 Bronze Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique, French, cast bronze, urn-form table lamp featuring foliate extrusions, and beautiful raised reliefs throughout, including lions faces, floral garlands, and images of putti ...
Bronze
Midcentury Italian Alabaster Table Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage midcentury carved alabaster table lamp. The cylindrical columnar shaft is surmounted by a foliate-carved capital and raised on a stepped square base, fitted with a cream fabr...
Alabaster
Italian Designer, Table Lamp, Alabaster, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A white alabaster and brass table lamp designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 8.5” H x 4” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 3.5“ Top Diameter x...
Alabaster, Brass
Italian Table Lamp with Carrara Marble Base
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Table lamp, carrara marble, glass, nickel-plated brass, Italy, 1960s This refined Italian table lamp from the 1960s embodies the quiet elegance of mid century design. Defined by its...
Carrara Marble, Brass, Nickel
Italian Designer, Table Lamp, Alabaster, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An alabaster and brass table lamp designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 8.5“ H x 4” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 5.125“ Top Diameter x ...
Alabaster, Brass
Porcelain Table Lamp on Wooden Base
Located in Antwerp, BE
Porcelain table lamp on a wooden base. Measures: Height base 52 cm. Width base 22 cm. Depth base 17 cm. Shade is not for sale and is not included in the price.
Porcelain, Wood
French Alabaster Table Lamp, 1970s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An anonymous elegant table lamp made entirely of alabaster, France, circa 1970. The sculpted base and matching alabaster shade form a harmonious composition, both showcasing the nat...
Alabaster
