A vintage Hollywood Regency parcel gilt ceramic lamp Assembled by the Marbro Lamp Company, Los Angeles, CA, using Italian earthenware, early/mid 20th Century
Label on inside has text that says " Marbro Original" Also includes a model number 6784. Label is faded in some parts. 46 inches from base to top of finial. Olive Green and gold. Bottom is marked with what looks like UM, followed by 210/B Italy. The four brass feet are each stamped with the letter M. Lamp is in excellent shape. Shade has a couple of small cracks.
46" to top of finial. Base is ~ 8.5" square. Shade is 14" round and 18" tall
Auction House
Yes
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
The Hollywood Regency style is a glamorous and luxurious interior design style that emerged in the 1930s during Hollywood's Golden Age. It is characterized by opulence, bold colors, dramatic contrasts, and a mix of classic and modern elements. The style was influenced by Art Deco, neoclassicism, and the lavish set designs of Old Hollywood films.
The Marbro Lamp Company was established by Morris Markoff and his brother after World War II. Their first shop opened soon after the end of the war, located in the garment district of Los Angeles. They specialized in a wide selection of antiques and decorative arts accessories, but are best known for their lamps. The lamps use parts sourced from all over the world, however, and were assembled in their shop. In 1987, the Marbro Lamp Company was purchased by the Masco Corporation. Production continued under Masco until December of 1990 when the assembly plant in Los Angeles was closed. All the remaining inventory of Marbro lamps moved to another company, LaBarge Mirrors in Michigan, which was also owned by Masco (InCollect).
Marbro lamps often retail for $800-1,200 depending on their size and style but when they appear at auction, they realize the fair-market prices of $300-500 or $400-600.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A vintage Hollywood Regency parcel gilt ceramic lamp
Assembled by the Marbro Lamp Company, Los Angeles, CA, using Italian earthenware, early/mid 20th Century
The olive-green vasiform body with applied gilt collar, grapevine band and waterleaf base on a tall circular foot on stepped square plinth base (marked "U.M 210/ B ITALY" with gilt metal feet stamped M. Surmounted by a cylindrical cream-colored fabric shade. Electrified.
46 inches overall
CONDITION: This lamp appears to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: Acquired at auction
$350-550*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
Glass can be painted with enamel, which can be chipped off . On the other hand, ceramics are glazed and fired in a kiln (pottery oven) so the glaze is much harder and not as easily chipped as enamel on glass. Glass is usually not painted so completely as to obscure it's translucent properties so based on what you've said, I'm 99% certain this is ceramic and not glass.
I started the appraisal and will finish it based on this being ceramic - expect it shortly.
Thank you for the appraisal. Very informative and useful. I had used other online appraisers for a family estate we closed out a couple of years ago and was not impressed ( I think they just Googled). What you provided is very good. One question - does the condition of the shade impact the value much?
Hi Delia,
The base is definitely ceramic. I think the top is also ceramic, but I'm not sure. Top does have a different sound when tapped ( I do software for a living - don't know much about lamps, honestly). Both the base and top are painted and I would assume that meant ceramic. Is there a way I could tell definitely?
Thanks,
Daniel