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.
Art Deco Brass Desk or Table Lamp by Stiffel, circa 1970s
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial Art Deco style brass desk or table lamp, circa 1970s. Lamp has a beautiful, graduated design, a detail reminiscent during the Art Deco period of the 1930s...
Brass
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...
Brass, Enamel
Set of Four Enamelled and Gilded Brass Candlesticks circa 1970
Located in London, GB
These simply formed gilded brass candlesticks are richly decorated with colorful enamel detailing in red, black, and blue. Their restrained silhouettes provide a refined backdrop for...
Brass, Enamel
$1,816
H 24.3 in Dm 6.9 in
Practical and Aesthetically Pleasing Peter Nelson Table or Desk Lamp, 1960s
By Architectural Lighting Ltd., Peter Nelson
Located in Lisse, NL
Adjustable and rotational table lamp, an "icon" from the Midcentury era. This innovative desk lamp by Nelson blends functionality with beauty. Peter Nelson, a renowned British desi...
Aluminum, Wire
Vintage Fratelli Toso Millefiori Desk Lamp, Murano, circa 1950
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Fratelli Toso Millefiori Desk Lamp, Murano circa 1950 A rare millefiori murrine glass desk lamp manufactured by Vetreria Fratelli Toso, Murano around 1950. Made of blue glass with melted white and green glass threads and polycrome murrines. Surface with satinated finish. The lamp is an authentic example of early 20th century Murano art glass. It was part of a large Fratelli Toso glass collection with over 600 pieces - collected since the 1970s. Working condition. It features a E14 European socket. Fratello Toso was one of the leading art glass manufacturers of Murano in the 20th century. In the early 1900's Fratelli Toso started to produce glasses in murrine technique. Murrine and Millefiori glasses remained a major product field of Fratelli Toso. In 1912 a very successful series of liberty inspired art glasses, designed by Hans Stoltenberg Lerche...
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Murrine
Jacques Adnet Art Deco Crystal Balls Table Lamp, France, 1930s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Jacques Adnet Art Deco crystal balls table lamp, France, 1930s. Stamped made in France. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vi...
Crystal, Bronze
Tommi Parzinger Brass Candlesticks
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Pair of midcentury classically styled candlesticks with a square base stylized column and engraved drip plate. Designed by Tommi Parzinger, signature stamp on bottom. Polished.
Brass
Art Deco Silvered Bronze Desk or Table Lamp European Circa 1928
Located in Hudson, NY
This is an incredibly detailed, and well handcrafted item. European, French or perhaps Austrian. From the late 1920s, and completely hand made. After the bronze was sculpted into fo...
Silver Plate, Bronze
Ghidini 1961 Bullet Table Lamp in Brass by Studio Job
By Ghidini 1961, Studio Job (Job Smeets & Nynke Tynagel)
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Table lamp in brass and metalized glass. Materials: Brass and metallic glass Net weight: 4.8 kg Dimensions: Diameter 17 x 54 height cm.
Brass
$1,666Sale Price|34% Off
H 24 in W 11 in D 9.5 in
Tiffany Style Leaded Glass Bankers Desk Lamp Table Lamp, 1950s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Tiffany Style Banker’s desk lamp, France, 1950-1959. Fabulous, tall adjustable desk or table lamp with a beautiful hand-painted glass lampshade...
Bronze
Art Deco Style Chrome or Silveroid Desk Timepiece
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely Art Deco style chrome or silveroid desk timepiece. Probably made circa 1980. The case is a solid circular shaped chrome or sil...
Silver Plate, Chrome
Brass Pineapple Candlestick
Located in Stamford, CT
1930s brass pineapple candlestick. Weighted bottom. No makers mark or signature.
Brass
$3,250 / set
H 20 in Dm 12 in
Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlestick Lamps with Orange Silk Shades
Located in Pembroke, MA
Pair of handsome 19th century French gilt bronze and patinated bronze candlesticks in the restoration style. The candlesticks have been wired as lamps and fitted with pleated orange ...
Bronze
Antique French Champlevé Enamel Brass Gold Blue Chamber Candlestick
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French Champlevé Enamel Brass Gold Blue Chamber Candlestick French Brass, Enamel c. 1900 Dimensions: H x W x D: 6 cm x 16 cm x 9 cm This detailed chamber candlestick, cr...
Brass, Enamel
Sold
H 12 in W 5 in D 5 in
Vintage Stiffel Crystal Lismore Brass Base Hurricane Candle Holders, a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a rare and sophisticated pair of candle holders by Stiffel, made in Poland, circa late 20th Century. This stunning pair showcases a brass square base wit...
Brass