1950s Patinated Brass Stiffel Table Lamps
About the Item
- Creator:Stiffel (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 39 in (99.06 cm)Width: 7.25 in (18.42 cm)Depth: 7.25 in (18.42 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In vintage original condition, with some wear and patina to the brass.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU169429977043
Stiffel
When Ted Stiffel (1899–1971) founded Stiffel in 1932 in Chicago, he wanted to make functional, thoughtfully designed table lamps and other fixtures that were available at an accessible price. Born in Memphis, Stiffel first pursued a career in music before serving in World War I. After his discharge, he worked with the Western Electric Company in Chicago and then the Nellie J. Kaplan Company, a lighting firm also in the Windy City.
After he started his own lamp business, Stiffel began supplying area department stores and by the 1940s had opened a large factory that was producing lamps for nationwide sale, eventually competing with the likes of the Frederick Cooper Lamp Company, also based in Chicago. In 1948, designer Edwin J. Cole joined the company and created some of the firm’s most striking table lamps. Today, Cole’s vintage mid-century modern lighting fixtures for Stiffel, frequently with distinctively tall and shapely ceramic bodies and finished with decorative brass chinoiserie details, are highly prized by collectors.
One of Stiffel’s innovations was his patented switch, which simplified turning lights on and off: All someone had to do was grasp a lamp’s pole and gently pull down. He also designed a pole lamp with a vertical tube that held a series of fixtures on the outside. The upright pole lamp was so innovative that Sears, Roebuck and Company copied it. Stiffel sued, and the case ended up in the Supreme Court in 1964. The ruling against Stiffel was influential in whether states can give a patent to objects that do not have the invention required of federal patents.
After declaring bankruptcy in 2000, the brand was revived in 2013 in Linden, New Jersey, where newly produced high-quality lamps carry the Stiffel name.
Find a collection of vintage Stiffel lighting on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Secaucus, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Tommi Parzinger For Stiffel Brass Table LampsBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in New York, NY1960's Mid-Century Modern brass tale lamps designed by Tommi Parzinger for Stiffel, in vintage original condition with some wear and patina to the brass due to age and use. Measu...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- 1950s Ceramic Rooster Table LampLocated in New York, NY1950s silver ceramic rooster table lamp, with wood base and brass hardware. Shape for photography only.Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- 1950s Tall Glass and Gold Leaf Table LampsBy The Marbro Lamp CompanyLocated in New York, NYStunning pair of large 1950s glass and gold leaf table lamps attributed to The Mrbro lamp Company. Height to light socket 36".Category
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
MaterialsGold Leaf, Metal
- Frederick Cooper Brass Table LampsBy Frederick CooperLocated in New York, NY1980s Mid-Century Modern brass table lamps with wood base by Frederick Cooper. Shades for photography only.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- 1950's Carrara Marble Italian Table LampsLocated in New York, NY1950's carved Carrara marble Italian table lamps, in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina to the marble due to age and use, there...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCarrara Marble, Brass
- Gerald Thurston Style Brass Table LampsBy Gerald ThurstonLocated in New York, NYStunning pair of large 1960s Gerald Thurston style brass table lamps with wood base, newly professionally rewired and ready to use. Measures: Height to light socket 29.5” Shade...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Stiffel Fluted Walnut and Brass Table Lamp, 1950sBy StiffelLocated in New York, NYTable lamp with four-point base in fluted walnut and brass by Stiffel, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Stiffel Patinated Brass Table LampsBy StiffelLocated in Chicago, ILPair of patinated solid brass baluster form 52" table lamps. Traditional Machine Age bases with flared section bodies that finish with a poppy flower bobeche. Lacquered ivory metal s...Category
Vintage 1960s American Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Stiffel Mid-Century Brass Sedum Leaf Floriform Table Lamp 1950sBy StiffelLocated in W Allenhurst, NJClassic Stiffel Foriform "Sedum Plant" table lamp from the 1950s. Sculptural foliated form on a raised pyramid of black lacquered wood. Very cool, very formal in good condition.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Rare 1950s Stiffel Black Lacquer and Brass Suspension Table LampBy StiffelLocated in Chicago, ILRare 1950s Stiffel suspension table lamp. Four brass rods with ball finials support a black lacquered cup with internal light socket. Original off-white la...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Brass Table Lamp by StiffelBy StiffelLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage brass table lamp by Stiffel. Simple tulip form and turned base with candle stick fixture. Elegant example of mid century design.Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Brass Table Lamp by StiffelBy StiffelLocated in Rockaway, NJVery nice Mid-Century Modern table lamp by Stiffel.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps