Stiffel Furniture
When Ted Stiffel (1899–1971) founded Stiffel in 1932 in Chicago, he wanted to make functional, thoughtfully designed table lamps, floor 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 lamps and other lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Stiffel
Pair of Faux Bamboo Brass Stiffel Mid Century Modern Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic pair of faux bamboo brass table lamps by the famous Stiffel who made some wonderful lamps in the USA. The lamps are in good condition shades are not included
Me...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,356 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Brass Table Lamp by Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern table lamp by Stiffel.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Furniture
Pair of Nickel Plated Open Spiral Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Danville, CA
Pair of solid Nickel plated steel Spiral cage form lamps on black enamel mounted base. The lamps, including new Nickel plated brass sockets and mountings have been replated and rest...
Category
1950s American Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Steel
$2,500 / set
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (B) - Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Lacquered Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (B) - Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 27" H (to light socket) x 6.5" W...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
Tall Stiffel Tommi Parzinger Style Brass Four Column Table Lamp
By Stiffel, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Stiffel Four Column Brass Table Lamp with Grasscloth Shade, often attributed to Tommi Parzinger. Featuring four Brass architectural squared columns rounding to base, atop a square B...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Pair of Mid-Century Stiffel "Rocket" Table Lamps in Brass
By Stiffel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Matched pair of glamorous Mid-Century Modern "Rocket Lamps" by Stiffel in patinated brass (ca. 1960s, USA).
Slightly different lighting capabilities between the lamps (and hence a vi...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Hollywood Regency White Craquelure Ceramic and Brass Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large scale white craquelure ceramic lamps with brass base and hardware. The Stiffel Lamp Company, circa 1960's.
Measurements are:
37.5" ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of 1960's Stiffel Brass Art Deco Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in East Freetown, MA
Pair of art deco brass Stiffel tall table lamps. Lamps have detailed brass bases with four candlestick columns and two sockets. Lampshades are available at additional shipping cost.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
$959 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Stiffel Mahogany & Brass Open Base Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Exceptionally designed mahogany and brass open base table lamp by Stiffel. Tapered mahogany body topped with a brass stem and brass bobeche. Brass base is an open circle with four br...
Category
1950s American Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp by Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern brass lamp by Stiffel.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Furniture
Oversized Stiffel Brass Table Lamp with Double Socket
By Stiffel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This large table lamp was manufactured by Stiffel in the 1960s and features a double socket and three illumination settings. The heavy patina to the bras...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
Stiffel Tall Table Lamp or Low Floor Lamp Midcentury Brass and Brushed Stainless
By Stiffel
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome and versatile Stiffel lamp comprised of brass and brushed stainless steel. It can be used as an over-scaled table lamp or a lower than usual floor lamp. It is in fabulous vi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Pair of Stiffel Lamps in Glazed Ceramic Bottle Form
By Stiffel
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair 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
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
Stiffel Brass Tulip Shade Floor Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass stemmed and tulip shade torchiere with four arched legs.
Category
1950s American Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Solid Brass Stiffel Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern solid brass Stiffel table lamp.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Furniture
Stiffel Brass Table Lamp Mid Century Modern Stacked Orbits Jacks Base Pattern
By Tommi Parzinger, Stiffel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Tall sharp looking brass table lamp by Stiffel.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Original Stiffel Tension Rod Brass Floor Light
By Stiffel
Located in North Miami, FL
Vintage midcentury lamp from the 1950s consists of 6 illuminating arms on an all brass adjustable tension pole. A single dial switch turns on the floor lamp. The height is semi adjustable, the top of the pole is spring loaded and can be lowered depending on your ceiling height.
Note: Tension rod...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
Tall Mid-Century Modern White Crackle Glaze Ceramic and Brass Lamp by Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall ceramic and brass torchère style table lamp by Stiffel. A rare find, this circular lamp with white crackle glaze, has long been a difficult find for Stiffel lovers.
The ro...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Stiffel Brass Candlestick Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Midcentury classically styled brushed brass candlestick lamps with enameled centers. Rewired for use in USA, 100W max bulbs.
Category
20th Century American American Classical Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,800 / set
Stifle Brass Table Lamp
By Tommi Parzinger, Stiffel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice brass stiffel table lamp.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Furniture
$2,200
Stiffel Midcentury American Ceramic White Lava Glaze Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American ceramic table lamp in globular form, the tapered hourglass neck topped by a brass saucer cap and functioning brass light switch socket, the body fired in a matte white lava glaze with a molten pebble-like texture, resting on a ringed cylindrical foot...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Neoclassical Tripod Base Brass Table Lamp by Stiffel
By Stiffel, Edwin Cole
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass neoclassical dual socket table lamp by Stiffel. The base is an antiqued solid brass tripod with Italianate legs and a segmented baluster. The switch pulls chains end in a unique turned wood finial. Quite impressive in size and form. Most likely an Edwin Cole design...
Category
1950s American Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
Stiffel Fluted Walnut and Brass Table Lamp, 1950s
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Table lamp with four-point base in fluted walnut and brass by Stiffel, 1950s.
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Stiffel Mid Century Modern Brass Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Sculptural Mid Century Modern Lamps, by Stiffel, American, circa 1950s. They retain their original shades and brass finials. They have been rewired and are ready to use.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
$2,200 / set
Stiffel Enamel Brass Candlestick Lamps with Dupioni Silk Shades
By Stiffel
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Lighting Acquisitions Of A
Pair of Vintage Stiffel Enamel...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Pair of Brass Ostrich Egg Wall Sconces, 1990
By Stiffel
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of brass and ostrich egg large Hollywood Regency style sconces.
Category
Late 20th Century American Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
$4,200 / set
Vintage Regency Stiffel Figurative Lamps - a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This pair of vintage Regency Stiffel figurative lamps exudes elegance and sophistication, featuring intricately detailed figures that capture the opulent style of the Regency era. Cr...
Category
Late 20th Century American Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
1950s Stiffel Lamp Turquoise Crackle Glaze Ceramic and Brass
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
1950s Vibrant color of turquoise. Crackle glazed ceramic. Substantial weight. Brass details and finial. Stiffel Markings. Made in America. Shade is for photo purposes and not include...
Category
Mid-20th Century Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
Brass Lamp by Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Brass and cut-glass lamp by Stiffel. Brass is heavy. Boudoir style.
Measures: 23.5" height (top of finial), base 7.5" squared.
Shade not included.
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,600
Stiffel furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Stiffel furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Stiffel furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Stiffel were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Robert Sonneman, Gerald Thurston, and Chapman Manufacturing Company. Prices for Stiffel furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,800 and can go as high as $6,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,800.
Creators Similar to Stiffel
Questions About Stiffel Furniture
- Are Stiffel lamps valuable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021No, Stiffel lamps are not extremely valuable. These lamps typically sell for anywhere between $100 and $500. These lamps are high quality, however, and will last a lifetime.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify vintage Stiffel lamps, first check a piece for any markings. Nearly all Stiffel lamps have a marking at least on the switch, but some also feature large foil stamps on their bases or bulb sockets. By comparing the marks on your lamp to images and descriptions published on trusted online resources, you can often determine approximately when Stiffel produced your lamp. If your lamp is 20 to 99 years old, it is vintage. Older Stiffel lamps are antiques, and newer ones are contemporary. When in doubt, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Find an assortment of Stiffel lamps on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 30, 2024To know if your lamp is worth anything, you can perform research using trusted online resources. Searching the base, socket and shade for a maker's marking is a good first step. You can use any markings to identify the maker of your lamp and then learn more about the pieces it produced to then estimate how old your lamp is. From there, review sales histories on trusted online platforms to see how much lamps of a similar age, type and condition sold for in the past. You may also wish to consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer for further guidance. Shop a diverse assortment of lamps on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To identify a Stiffel lamp, first try to locate the brand's foil tag. Usually, the tag will read "SLC," “Stiffel Lamp Company" or “Stiffel.” You may find it on the shade, the base or the light socket. Because these tags tended to come loose over time, a vintage Stiffel lamp may no longer have one. If you can't find a label, examine your lamp closely. Stiffel has produced lamps out of high-quality bronze, brass, pewter and silver, so their pieces tend to be weighty. A light lamp that seems hollow is unlikely to be a Stiffel. Looking at images of Stiffel lamps shared on trusted online resources can also be helpful during the identification process. In addition, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can identify your lamp for you if you run into any difficulty. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Stiffel lamps.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Stiffel lamps are still in production. With a variety of lamp styles available, the Stiffel Lamp Company has a rich history rooted in unique, art-driven design made with high-quality materials. On 1stDibs, find a unique collection of authentic Stiffel lamps.
- Are Stiffel lamps made in China?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, Stiffel lamps are not made in China. The Stiffel Lamp Company was founded in 1932 in Chicago and throughout its many years in business, they proudly still produce all their products in America. Browse a selection of Stiffel lamps on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To identify a Stiffel brass lamp, look for the maker's markings, which may include “Stiffel Lamp Company," "SLC" or “Stiffel." Locations of markings varied over time, and they appeared in the form of both etched signatures and foiled labels. Check your lamp’s switch, shade, bulb interior, neck and base for these markings. If you can't find a Stiffel mark, it may have once had a paper label that has since become detached. In this case, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you with the identification process. Find a selection of Stiffel lamps on 1stDibs.