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What is the history of Marbro lamps?
1 Answer
The 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 ExpertMay 14, 2024
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Shop for The Marbro Lamp Company Table Lamps on 1stDibs
Zaccagnini for Marbro Asian Style Table Lamp Italy Midcentury Modern
By Ugo Zaccagnini, The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Unique ceramic table lamp with glossy, buttery yellow crackle glaze body and forest green and brown abstract Asian-inspired relief motifs was made in Italy by Società Anonima Cerami...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Ceramic
Baldelli Hand Painted Ceramic Lamp for Marbro, Italy, 1950's
By Baldelli, The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Baldelli Hand Painted Ceramic Lamp for Marbro, Italy, 1950's.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Monumental 1950s Italian Metallic Jewel Glaze Ceramic Lamp
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in New York, NY
Monumental Aldo Londi for Bitossi metallic jewel glaze ceramic lamp. Circular ebonized wood base. Original double socket hardware with pull chains. Lamp body measures 15 inches heigh...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
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Vintage Venetian Murano Glass Italian Table Lamp by Marbro
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage midcentury Italian Murano bubble wire amber glass table lamp by Marbro original.
Handcrafted Venetian hand blown glass with metal wired cage de...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
Materials
Blown Glass, Art Glass
Italian Malachite Table Lamp, Imported By Marbro
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisite, 1960s malachite and brass table lamp in the neoclassical style. Designed and manufactured by Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Florence, Italy. Imported by the Marbro Lamp Company.
...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Neoclassical Table Lamps
Materials
Malachite, Brass
Marbro Original Table Lamp! Milk Chocolate Brown Wood Base 1960s Art Deco Minty!
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Peoria, AZ
MARBRO ORIGINAL
ART DECO AESTHETIC
TABLE LAMP!
DIMENSIONS: Lamp: 21" Tall Width 16"
After the heyday of custom furniture decoration and architecture of the wealthy first half of...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Table Lamps
Materials
Metal