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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.

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Creator: Stiffel
Dealer: Assemblage Ltd.
Pair of Stiffel Fluted and Studded Brass Urn Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Large studded and fluted brass table lamps from the best years of Stiffel, the fine lamp maker. Black lacquered bases feature subtle chamfered feet. Surmounting the brass urns are br...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Rare 1950s Stiffel Black Lacquer and Brass Suspension Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare 1950s Stiffel suspension table lamp. Four brass rods with ball finials support a black lacquered cup with internal light socket. Original off-white lacquered steel diffuser and ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Metal, Brass

Impressive Pair of Neoclassical Brass Table Lamps by Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Very substantial pair of neoclassical baluster form antiqued brass table lamps by Stiffel. Greek key design on base. The double sockets are supported by a large candle style upright....
Category

1960s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Stiffel Crackle Glaze Ceramic and Brass Moorish Style Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Excellent pair of brass and ceramic bodied Moorish style table lamps by Stiffel. Ceramic bodies are a mottled sea foam green crackle glaze...
Category

1960s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Pair of Stiffel Ostrich Egg and Antique Brass Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
A very elegant pair of table lamps from Stiffeal. They feature "ostrich egg" porcelain bodies with antiqued brass square plinth bases and capitals. The keyed switch and original milk...
Category

1950s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Pair Stiffel Neoclassical Brass & Ivory lacquered Table Lamps.
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Classic Roman column table lamps by Stiffel. Brass square plinth multi-tiered plinths with acanthus leaf detail. Ivory lacquered columns wrapped with brass ivy. Roman style capitals ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Pair Stiffel Porcelain Obelisk & Decorative Brass Table Lamps.
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Stiffel neoclassical table lamps with Lenox porcelain obelisk bodies detailed in gilt edging. Wood base with brass feet, brass decorative pineapple and leafed spacer. Brass s...
Category

1950s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Pair of Stiffel Patinated Brass Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair 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

1960s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Pair of Stiffel Brass Crown and Sage Lacquer Obelisk Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
These unique Art Deco inspired table lamps by Stiffel are comprised of brilliantly juxtaposed brass and cast resin in the form of weat...
Category

1950s American Vintage Stiffel

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

Materials

Brass, Metal

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

Materials

Brass

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Stiffel White Crackle Glazed Ceramic and Brass Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair 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

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Elegant Pair of Stiffel Walnut and Brass Obelisk Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Architecturally inspired pair of table lamps by Stiffel. Four brass spheres atop a plinth base support a walnut obelisk-form body with horizontal incised and ebonized decoration. Sur...
Category

1950s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Pair of Ceramic Lamps with a Blue Crackle Glaze
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large ceramic lamps with a beautiful crackle glazed finish by Stiffel lamp company. The lamps sit on Polished brass bases and they have been Newly rewired with adjustable po...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Rare Fifties Brass Table Lamp, 1950s
Located in Delft, NL
Beautiful lamp with a nice use of different materials.
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Metal, Brass

  • Rare Fifties Brass Table Lamp, 1950s
  • Rare Fifties Brass Table Lamp, 1950s
  • Rare Fifties Brass Table Lamp, 1950s
  • Rare Fifties Brass Table Lamp, 1950s
H 22.45 in. W 14.97 in. D 17.33 in.
Crackle Glazed Porcelain and Brass Lamps by Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of classically styled crackled glazed ceramic lamps on satin brass bases. Rewired for use in the USA. Shades not included.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Stiffel Satin Brass and White Ceramic Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair 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 Stiffel

Materials

Brass

20th Century Stiffel Solid Polished Brass Table Lamps, Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of 20th century Stiffel solid polished brass table lamps in great condition. Measures 6>25" in diameter at the base and 27.75" tall to the top of the finials. 20.25" tall to ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Stiffel Hollywood Regency Ostrich Egg Lamps, a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this pair of vintage Stiffel table lamps. The lamps are both working.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Metal

Stiffel Brass Lamps with Jansen Lamp Shades, a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Original pair of Stiffel brass table lamps with Jansen shades with gold fringe. These gorgeous original Stiffel lamps are a warm w...
Category

1960s Other Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Brass and Porcelain Table Lamps by Stiffel, a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Copake Falls, NY
A pair of Art Deco table lamps made by Stiffel. Beveled brass caps decorated with a palm leaf motif and a beaded trim sit atop ovoid shaped porcelain vases in sage green. The brass b...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Pair of 1960s Blue Ceramic and Brass Stiffel Lamps in Asian Modern Style
By Stiffel
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Pair of 1960s lamps with ceramic gourd forms and brass fittings. Deep cobalt blue crackle glaze. Note white reflections of lights in photos are not loses to the finish but instead the reflection of studio lights...
Category

1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Stiffel Art Nouveau Style Large Brass Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th Century Stiffel Art Nouveau Style large brass table lamp Measures 7 inches in diameter and stands 34" tall.
Category

Late 20th Century American Art Nouveau Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Stiffel Mid-Century Pair of Brass Sedum Leaf Floriform Table Lamps 1950s
By Stiffel
Located in Camden, ME
A pair of Stiffel classic fForiform "Sedum Plant" table lamps from the 1950s. Sculptural foliated form on a raised pyramid of black lacquered wood. Very cool, very formal in good c...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel

Materials

Metal, Brass

Stiffel Bronze, Crackled Porcelain Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of mid century crackled porcelain lamps with custom finished dark bronze fittings. Rewired for use in the USA, 100W max bulbs. Height listed...
Category

20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel

Materials

Bronze

Previously Available Items
Pair of Stiffel Brass and Sage Porcelain Ostrich Egg Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Substantial pair of Stiffel polished brass and sage ceramic "ostrich egg" table lamps with original milk glass diffusers. Heavy cast brass square foote...
Category

20th Century American Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Pair of Stiffel Large Brass and Crystal Bouillotte Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
In excellent original condition, these sizable three-arm lamps are made of brass, with hanging crystals. With original cream and gold tortoiseshell shades, and stately finials.
Category

1960s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pair of circa 1950s Stiffel Rouge Marble and Square Brass Columns Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Excellent pair of 1950s modern table lamps from Stiffel. The bases are a rouge / red marble beveled plinth with four square brass columns comprising the body. These clean lined table...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Marble, Brass, Metal

Stiffel Brass Floor Lamp with Round Lucite Table
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Modern floor lamp in brass with a round clear acrylic tabletop by Stiffel. Solid brass base with four arched legs and dual lighting elements with Classic pull chain switches. Sold sa...
Category

1950s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Rare 1950s Black Lacquer & Brass Suspension Stiffel Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare 1950s Stiffel suspension table lamp. Four brass rods with ball finials support a black lacquered cup with internal light socket. Original off white lacquered steel diffuser and ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Steel, Brass

Pair Stiffel Blue Crackle-Glaze Gourd Form Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully crackle glazed blue ceramic bodied table lamps by Stiffel. Solid brass pagoda style spacers with ribbed melon form cap. Solid brass stem and double sockets with ball and ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Pair Stiffel Fluted & Studded Brass Urn Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Large studded and fluted brass table lamps from the best years of Stiffel, the fine lamp maker. Black lacquered bases feature subtle chamfered feet. Surmounting the brass urns are br...
Category

1960s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Pair Stiffel White Crackle Glazed Ceramic & Brass Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair 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

1950s American Vintage Stiffel

Pair Stiffel Rouge Marble & Square Brass Columns Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Excellent pair of 1950s modern table lamps from Stiffel. The bases are a rouge/red marble beveled plinth with four square brass columns comprising the body. These clean lined table l...
Category

1950s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Plastic

Impressive Pair Of Neoclassical Brass Table Lamps By Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Very substantial pair of neoclassical baluster form antiqued brass table lamps by Stiffel. Greek key design on base. The double sockets are supported by a large candle style upright....
Category

20th Century American Stiffel

Materials

Brass, Metal

Pair Stiffel Walnut & Brass Obelisk Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Architecturally inspired pair of table lamps by Stiffel. Four brass spheres atop a plinth base support a walnut obelisk-form body with horizontal incised and ebonized decoration. Sur...
Category

1950s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

  • Pair Stiffel Walnut & Brass Obelisk Table Lamps
  • Pair Stiffel Walnut & Brass Obelisk Table Lamps
  • Pair Stiffel Walnut & Brass Obelisk Table Lamps
  • Pair Stiffel Walnut & Brass Obelisk Table Lamps
H 44.25 in. W 7.25 in. D 7.25 in.
Pair Stiffel Brass Crown & Sage Lacquer Obelisk Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
These unique art deco inspired table lamps by Stiffel are comprised of brilliantly juxtaposed brass and cast resin in the form of weat...
Category

1960s American Vintage Stiffel

Materials

Brass

Stiffel furniture for sale on 1stDibs

Stiffel furniture is available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive objects are frequently made of metal and designed with extraordinary care. In our Stiffel collection, there are many options to choose from, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. There are currently 146 vintage editions of these items in stock, while there is also 0 modern edition to choose from. Many of the original furniture by Stiffel were created in North America during the 20th century in the Mid-Century Modern style. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by The Marbro Lamp Company, Marshall Studios and Chapman Manufacturing Company. Stiffel furniture prices can vary depending on size, time period and other attributes. 1stDibs's price starts at $375 and tops out at $7,750, while pieces like these can sell for $1,845.
Questions About Stiffel
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    No, 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    No, 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, 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.

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