Laurel Lamp Company
American
The Laurel Lamp Manufacturing Company Inc., also known as the Laurel Lamp Company or simply Laurel, was a prominent American producer of lamps and home furnishings based in Newark, New Jersey. The company operated from 1946 to 1981 and was founded by Max Weiss along with his sons, Murray and Harold Weiss.
Laurel gained a reputation for its innovative mid-century modern lamp designs, as well as home furnishings that spanned traditional, contemporary, and post-modern styles. The company's design direction was led by co-founder Harold Weiss, who worked alongside distinguished designers such as Pierre Cardin, Bijan of California, and the House of Salviati in Murano, Italy.
Company History
Early Beginnings (1913–1945)
The origins of Laurel Lamp Company trace back to Max Weiss, a Polish tinsmith who immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. In 1913, Weiss and his uncle Aaron Habacht established Habacht and Weiss, a company specializing in oil lamps, gas ceiling fixtures, and coach lanterns. As electricity became more common in homes, the company shifted its focus to portable electric lamps, rebranding as Sunset Lighting Fixture Company. In 1924, Sunset Lighting Fixture Company merged with The Mutual Lamp Manufacturing Company to form Mutual-Sunset Lamp Manufacturing Company. Max Weiss retired in 1943 following a heart attack.
Revival and Growth (1946–1983)
In 1946, Max Weiss, with his sons Murray and Harold, re-entered the lamp industry by founding the Laurel Lamp Manufacturing Company. Under their leadership, the company flourished and expanded. In April 1969, Instrument Systems Corporation, now known as Griffon, acquired Laurel for $3.6 million, with Harold Weiss continuing as President. By 1971, Laurel had established showrooms in major cities including New York, High Point, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
In January 1979, Harold Weiss's tenure ended when Instrument Systems appointed Henry Jampol as President. Howard Wolff later took over as president in 1981. The company's corporate status was revoked in 1981, and in 1983, Westwood Lighting Group acquired Laurel’s remaining assets, integrating the brand into its own product line.
Design Innovations and Collaborations
Laurel Lamp Company was known for its unique in-house designs created by Harold Weiss, sculptor Richard “Dick” Barr, and other talented designers. In 1971, Laurel collaborated with the Venetian glassmaker, The House of Salviati in Murano, to produce sculptural lamps made of Venetian glass. The company also partnered with French designer Pierre Cardin in 1977 to develop a lighting collection, marking Cardin’s entry into the American furnishings market.
Laurel gained a reputation for its innovative mid-century modern lamp designs, as well as home furnishings that spanned traditional, contemporary, and post-modern styles. The company's design direction was led by co-founder Harold Weiss, who worked alongside distinguished designers such as Pierre Cardin, Bijan of California, and the House of Salviati in Murano, Italy.
Company History
Early Beginnings (1913–1945)
The origins of Laurel Lamp Company trace back to Max Weiss, a Polish tinsmith who immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. In 1913, Weiss and his uncle Aaron Habacht established Habacht and Weiss, a company specializing in oil lamps, gas ceiling fixtures, and coach lanterns. As electricity became more common in homes, the company shifted its focus to portable electric lamps, rebranding as Sunset Lighting Fixture Company. In 1924, Sunset Lighting Fixture Company merged with The Mutual Lamp Manufacturing Company to form Mutual-Sunset Lamp Manufacturing Company. Max Weiss retired in 1943 following a heart attack.
Revival and Growth (1946–1983)
In 1946, Max Weiss, with his sons Murray and Harold, re-entered the lamp industry by founding the Laurel Lamp Manufacturing Company. Under their leadership, the company flourished and expanded. In April 1969, Instrument Systems Corporation, now known as Griffon, acquired Laurel for $3.6 million, with Harold Weiss continuing as President. By 1971, Laurel had established showrooms in major cities including New York, High Point, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
In January 1979, Harold Weiss's tenure ended when Instrument Systems appointed Henry Jampol as President. Howard Wolff later took over as president in 1981. The company's corporate status was revoked in 1981, and in 1983, Westwood Lighting Group acquired Laurel’s remaining assets, integrating the brand into its own product line.
Design Innovations and Collaborations
Laurel Lamp Company was known for its unique in-house designs created by Harold Weiss, sculptor Richard “Dick” Barr, and other talented designers. In 1971, Laurel collaborated with the Venetian glassmaker, The House of Salviati in Murano, to produce sculptural lamps made of Venetian glass. The company also partnered with French designer Pierre Cardin in 1977 to develop a lighting collection, marking Cardin’s entry into the American furnishings market.
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Laurel Lamp Company
Mushroom Lamp by Laurel Lamp Company
H 12 in W 13 in D 13 in
$ 1,450
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new
Laurel Lamp Company
Laurel Lamp by Harlod Weiss and Richard Barr 1974
H 14 in W 10 in D 14 in
$ 800
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Laurel Lamp Company
Brushed Stainless Steel Floor Lamp By Pierre Cardin For Laurel
H 45 in W 8 in D 8 in
$ 2,385
Laurel Lamp Company
Brutalist Style Lamp by Richard Barr for the Laurel Lamp Co.
H 45 in W 8 in D 5 in
$ 1,975
200
Laurel Lamp Company
1970's Pair of Sleek Polished Brass Ball Lamps by Laurel Lamp Company
H 30 in DIA 5 in
$ 2,800
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Laurel Lamp Company
Pair of Vintage Walnut and Polished Brass Table Lamps by Laurel
H 32 in W 5 in D 5 in
$ 1,500
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Laurel Lamp Company
Mid-Century Sculpted Brass Tripod Floor Lamp w/ Side Table by Laurel
H 60 in W 17 in D 17 in
$ 2,250
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Laurel Lamp Company
Laurel Lamp Company Mid Century Stainless Steel Tulip Floor Lamp - Pair
H 56 in W 12 in D 12 in
$ 2,995
200
Laurel Lamp Company
Laurel Lamp, Frosted Glass, Brushed Chrome-Plated Steel, Signed
H 12 in DIA 7 in
$ 1,250
Laurel Lamp Company
Laurel Mid Century Brass and Walnut Table Lamps - Pair
H 33 in W 5 in D 5 in
$ 2,495
Laurel Lamp Company
Tall Laurel Table Lamp, Brutalist, Cubist, Brass, Bronze
H 44 in W 7 in D 8 in
$ 6,800
200
Laurel Lamp Company
Pair of Modernist Polished Chrome lamps by Laurel Lamp Company
H 32 in W 6 in D 5 in
$ 4,200
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Laurel Lamp Company
Glass Replacement Shade for Laurel Lamp in Frosted White Globe Form
H 6 in DIA 13 in
$ 159
Laurel Lamp Company
Pair of Sculptural Laurel Table Lamps
H 29 in W 7 in D 8 in
$ 5,450
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Laurel Lamp Company
Mushroom Table Lamp by Laurel Lamp Company in Polished Chrome
H 16 in W 13 in D 13 in
$ 900
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