Stiffel Midcentury American Ceramic White Lava Glaze Table Lamp
About the Item
- Creator:Stiffel (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Width: 13 in (33.02 cm)Depth: 13 in (33.02 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
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: Long Island City, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Carstens Midcentury West German Ceramic Lava Glazed Brown Table LampLocated in New York, NYMidcentury (1960s) West German ceramic table lamp fired in a Lava glaze featuring an extended brass stem with harp, cylindrical finial ...Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Midcentury American Ceramic Hand Painted Blue Glazed Table LampLocated in New York, NYMidcentury American ceramic table lamp in globular form with pinched neck, leading to a functioning brass light switch socket and harp, the body for...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Mid-Century American Ceramic Orange Lava Glazed Table Lamp on Wood BaseLocated in New York, NYMid-Century American ceramic table lamp in tapered ovoid form, fired in a textured orange glossy lava glaze, narrowing toward the top with a functioning brass light switch...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of American Ceramic Orange Lava Glazed Table Lamps on Wood BasesLocated in New York, NYPAIR of Mid-Century American ceramic table lamps in tapered ovoid form, fired in a textured orange glossy lava glaze, narrowing toward the top, the darker glazed lamp...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Mid-Century American Ceramic Orange and Brown Lava Drip Glazed Table LampLocated in New York, NYMid-Century American ceramic table lamp in globular form tapering toward the top, housing a brass stem with functioning light switch socket plus harp. The orange lava drip glaze enve...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Midcentury American Ceramic Burnt Orange Glazed Egg Form Table LampLocated in New York, NYMid-Century American ceramic table lamp in egg-like ovoid form with flattened top, an extended brass stem leading to a faux bamboo finial and two functioning light switch sockets wit...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass, Enamel
- Pair of Stiffel White Crackle Glazed Ceramic and Brass Table LampsBy StiffelLocated in Chicago, ILPair of heavy bodied, white craquelure glazed ceramic table lamps. Patinated brass appointments from the best days of American premier lighting company, Stiffel. Sold sans shades.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Stiffel Midcentury White Porcelain and Brass Table LampBy StiffelLocated in Buchanan, NYThis single vintage brass and porcelain Stiffel table lamp features a charming pineapple brass detail atop a white porcelain base. In very good vintage condition, it adds a touch of ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Stiffel Mid-Century Modern Glazed Ceramic LampBy StiffelLocated in west palm beach, FLA stunning vintage MCM table lamp. Made by the iconic Stiffel group. A chic brilliant blue glazed ceramic body with heavy brass details. Acquired from a...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Original Stiffel Pair of Oversized Midcentury Ceramic LampsBy StiffelLocated in East Hampton, NYPair of Mid-Century Modern glazed ceramic bottle vase form lamps on bronze bases, in bone with grey striations and subtle craqueleur to glazing. Double cluster sockets and silk rewir...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Stiffel Lamps in Glazed Ceramic Bottle FormBy StiffelLocated in Hanover, MAPair of Mid-Century Modern glazed ceramic bottle vase form lamps on brass bases, in bone with charcoal brown striations and subtle craqueleur to glazing. Each measures 42in to top of finial 24in to top of base. Brass bases are 6 inches square and have rich patination. See original ad from a 1960 Chicago Tribune.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Stiffel Satin Brass and White Ceramic LampsBy StiffelLocated in New York, NYPair of Mid-Century classically styled lamps featuring satin brass bodies with white glazed ceramic modified Ostrich egg shaped centers. Rewired with brass sockets and new cords. 100...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass