Rare Stiffel Futura Four Light Tension Pole Lamp
View Similar Items
Rare Stiffel Futura Four Light Tension Pole Lamp
About the Item
- Creator:Stiffel (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 103 in (261.62 cm)Width: 16 in (40.64 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Long Beach, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU95381180490
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.
- Mid Century Danish Modern 3-Shade Glass Tension Pole Lamp 1950s Stiffel EraBy StiffelLocated in Peoria, AZGORGEOUS! SPARKLING MID CENTURY DANISH MODERN TRI-COLOR THREE GLASS SHADE TENSION POLE LAMP! ICONIC MCM COLORS OF ORANGE, WHITE & BLUE! CIRCA 1957-59 (FITS 8 FT. CEILING) This...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- 1955! Mid Century Modern Tension Pole Lamp Brass Stiffel Era Starlight ShadesBy StiffelLocated in Peoria, AZHIGHLY COVETED! PURIST'S DREAM 1955 EARLY MID CENTURY MODERN TENSION POLE LAMP! THREE "STARLIGHT" SHADE BRASS & BLACK! UNRESTORED! FITS 8 FT. CEILING Mid Century Pole...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Space Age All Brass Tension Pole Lamp! Mid Century Modern 1950s Stiffel EraBy StiffelLocated in Peoria, AZICONIC! SPACE AGE MID CENTURY MODERN GLEAMING BRASS TENSION POLE LAMP! Incredible Quality! In the manner of Stiffel designs. CIRCA 1959-60 ( FITS 8 - 8.5 FT. CEILING ) Welco...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Mid Century Danish Modern Tension Pole Lamp Brushed Brass Maple Stiffel Era 50sBy StiffelLocated in Peoria, AZICONIC! 1958 MID CENTURY MODERN TENSION POLE LAMP! TWO "STARLIGHT" SHADES PLUS ONE SAUCER TOP 3-WAY LIGHT! BRUSHED BRASS MAPLE WOOD HANDLES! FITS 8 FT. CEILING Mid Century Pol...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Mid Century Tension Pole Lamp With Hand painted Italian Glass! 50s Stiffel EraBy StiffelLocated in Peoria, AZGORGEOUS! ITALIAN OPALESCENT GLASS HANDPAINTED W/ LEAVES MID CENTURY TENSION POLE LAMP! Incredible Quality! In the manner of Stiffel designs. CIRCA 1958-1961 ( FITS 8 FT. CEILING ) Italian Elegance! This is perhaps the quintessential mid century pole lamp...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Original Stiffel Tension Rod Brass Floor LightBy StiffelLocated in East Hampton, NYVintage 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
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
$2,000 Sale Price20% Off
