Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

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.

Creator: Stiffel

Pair of Brass Ostrich Egg Wall Sconces, 1990

$4,200 / set

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 Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Pair Italian Wall Sconces, Murano, 1990s

$1,886Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 25.2 in W 7.09 in D 3.94 in

Midcentury Pair Italian Wall Sconces, Murano, 1990s

By Vistosi

Located in Budapest, HU

Fantastic pair of vintage Murano wall sconce made by 7 Murano crystal prism (triedri) for each applique in a chrome metal frame. The shape of this sconce is column. The glasses are P...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Pair of Natural Brass Wall Sconces

$3,186 / set

H 18.51 in W 9.85 in D 4.73 in

Pair of Natural Brass Wall Sconces

Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF

Pair of wall sconces made of natural brass with two inner lights per sconce. Straight backplate on which are coming two curved brass sheets, with the light escaping from the gap b...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Ostrich Egg Shell & Cast Brass Arm Sconce

$750

H 11.25 in W 5.25 in D 6.75 in

Ostrich Egg Shell & Cast Brass Arm Sconce

By Dogfork Lamp Arts

Located in San Francisco, CA

We used this pristine Ostrich egg with a beautiful texture to compose this wall lamp with a cast brass arm, backplate, and shade cover in an oil rubbed bronz...

Category

2010s American Organic Modern Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

A Pair of POSTMODERN NEOCLASSICAL Wall LAMPS Sconces France 1990-2000

$2,832

H 16.54 in W 4.73 in D 8.59 in

A Pair of POSTMODERN NEOCLASSICAL Wall LAMPS Sconces France 1990-2000

Located in PARIS, FR

A thin and elegant pair of (double) wall appliques sconces, to be attributed, France 1990-2000. Each sample consists in a single curved wall base with 2 short arms holding 2 long ver...

Category

1990s French Neoclassical Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Pair of French Eglomise Mirrored Brass Wall Sconces

$910 / set

H 9 in W 9 in D 5 in

Pair of French Eglomise Mirrored Brass Wall Sconces

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Pair of two-arm brass French 1940s mirrored eglomise etched wall sconces. Nice detailing including cut scalloped mirrored edges. Each sconce uses two candelabra base bulbs. Newly wir...

Category

1940s French Vintage Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of English Victorian Brass Wall Sconces

$3,750 / set

H 17.5 in W 14.5 in D 7.5 in

Pair of English Victorian Brass Wall Sconces

Located in Queens, NY

PAIR of English Victorian oval dark brass wall sconces with two scroll arms and etched triple plume design (PRICED AS PAIR)

Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Italian Brass wall sconces, candelabra

$353Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 13 in W 9.06 in D 3.15 in

Pair of Italian Brass wall sconces, candelabra

Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB

Pair of Italian Brass wall sconces, candelabra, ribbon bow with floral detail with two holders. H: 33 cm W: 23 cm D: 8cm

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Baroque Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of 1970's Vintage Brass Wall Sconces

$1,300 / set

H 5 in W 13.5 in D 6.5 in

Pair of 1970's Vintage Brass Wall Sconces

Located in Duxbury, MA

Art Deco brass wall sconces c. 1970s. Sold as pair. Have not been tested, vendor has confirmed this piece is in working order.

Category

1970s American Art Deco Vintage Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Pair of Italian Pink Wall Sconces, Murano, 1990s

$1,414Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 28.35 in W 6.42 in D 8.67 in

Midcentury Pair of Italian Pink Wall Sconces, Murano, 1990s

By Vistosi

Located in Budapest, HU

Pair of italian Murano wall sconces. Wall lights have 16 pink and white“lattimo” glasses (for each applique) in a nickel-plated metal frame. Decorative object of great importance. Pe...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Pair of Studded Brass Torchère Wall Sconces

$3,600 / set

H 6 in W 7 in D 25 in

Pair of Studded Brass Torchère Wall Sconces

By Chapman Manufacturing Company

Located in Soquel, CA

Beautiful and substantial studded bronze/brass torchère wall sconces will make a dramatic statement in any room. Created by Chapman Manufacturing...

Category

1990s North American Neoclassical Revival Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Colonial Brass 3 Light Wall Sconces

$750

H 15 in W 9 in D 7 in

Pair of Colonial Brass 3 Light Wall Sconces

Located in valatie, NY

Pair of colonial brass 3 light wall sconces. Classic 18th c design sand cast in beautifully patinated brass. They have never been wired.

Category

1940s American American Colonial Vintage Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gothic Brass Wall Sconces

$650 / set

H 10.5 in W 10 in D 4.5 in

Pair of Gothic Brass Wall Sconces

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Vintage Gothic style two arm wall sconces having black and weathered gold back plates 4 w x 5.5 h. Newly rewired.

Category

1950s American Gothic Vintage Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items

Stiffel Sconces

Sold

H 8 in W 4.5 in D 7 in

Stiffel Sconces

By Stiffel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wood and Enameled Shade Pivot Sconces Perforation at Rim and Top of Shade

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Stiffel Sconces

Sold

H 8 in W 4.5 in D 7 in

Stiffel Sconces

By Stiffel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wood and Enameled Shade Pivot Sconces

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Stiffel Sconces

Sold

H 8 in W 4.5 in D 7 in

Stiffel Sconces

By Stiffel

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wood and Enamel Perforated Sconces

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Stiffel wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs.

Stiffel wall lights and sconces are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider wall lights and sconces by Peter Hamburger, Curtis Jeré, and Sterling Bronze Co.. Prices for Stiffel wall lights and sconces can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,200 and can go as high as $4,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,200.

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Questions About Stiffel Wall Lights and Sconces

Are Stiffel lamps valuable?
1 Answer
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.
How do I identify a Stiffel lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
To 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.
Do they still make Stiffel lamps?
1 Answer
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.
Are Stiffel lamps made in China?
1 Answer
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.
How do I identify vintage Stiffel lamps?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To 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.
How do I identify a Stiffel brass lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To 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.

More Stiffel Furniture

Stiffel Table Lamps

Stiffel Floor Lamps

Stiffel Decorative Objects