A bespoken Stiffel brass lamp with a lotus design base
About the Item
- Creator:Stiffel (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 41.25 in (104.78 cm)Diameter: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Wonderful warm patina on the brass, minor scratches on the enamel, one small rip of the interior lining of the shade, not visible exteriorly. Labeled.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9045827903
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Atlanta, GA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Mid Century Brass Floor Lamp LightolierBy LightolierLocated in Atlanta, GAA very good looking mid-century floor lamp made by Lightolier USA. It features a tapering brass column over a black enamel base, the original molded cellulose shade with removable pe...Category
Vintage 1950s Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Hans-Agne Jakobsson Model G-110 Silk Fringe Brass Floor LampBy Hans-Agne JakobssonLocated in Atlanta, GAThis floor lamp, model G-110, was designed by Hans-Agne Jakobsson and produced by Hans-Agne Jakobsson in Markaryd, Sweden. - Brass and fringes - circa 1960s. - midcentury, Scandin...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Bespoken Leather Belt with Sculptural Sterling Buckles Graziella LaffiBy Graziella LaffiLocated in Atlanta, GAA wide leather belt with sterling silver buckle and matching ornaments crafted by Graziella Laffi, Lima, Peru, circa 1965. The prominent silver articles feature the shape and motif rooted in pre-Columbian culture that inspired the artist's work. Mark on verso: PERU 950, extended size is 47 x 3 inches (119.4 x 7.6 cm) and weight is about 428 grams. Belt length adjustable between 27 to 38 inches. This lot with partially effaced Peruvian Cultural Ministry label to verso. Graziella Laffi was born in 1923 in Florence, Italy to Gino Laffi, a silversmith and artist. Following her family tradition, Graziella enrolled in master classes after elementary school, focusing on design and painting. She next attended Escuela de Bellas Artes de Puerta Romana for three years, where Gino taught, and then to the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, where she concentrated in architecture until the start of World War II. In 1947, Graziella, then twenty-four, immigrated with her parents to Peru. Gino later created a silversmith studio and showroom called Fabrica Laffi on Avenue Mexico, where Graziella initially learned her Craft. The Pre-Columbian culture in her adopted country inspired Graziella to travel and collect, which ultimately influence her design in the silver pieces. Graziella learned the metalworking techniques of the ancient Peruvian civilizations and rejected the current technology. She mostly used hammering, rolling and creating joints as the ancients do. As an ambassador of Peruvian culture, her work promoted the indigenous Peruvian art and rekindled the interest in its ancient heritage throughout South America, the United States and Europe. She exhibited her growing collection of Peruvian artifacts...Category
Vintage 1960s Peruvian Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Cityscape Brass Table Lamp Paul Evans for DirectionalBy Paul EvansLocated in Atlanta, GAA brass patchwork cityscape table lamp designed by Paul Evans for Directional circa 1970s. Model PE-4001, the bespoken lamp showcases an architectural form and stands defying gravity...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Pair Large Modern geometrical urn shape Brass LampsBy Chapman Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Atlanta, GAA large and dramatic pair of lamps in Hollywood Regency style as a modern interpretation of chinese classic urn from Han Dynasty. Very well made from brass with lucite base and origi...Category
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Large Bespoken Sculpted Steel Table with Slate Top Albert PaleyBy Albert PaleyLocated in Atlanta, GAA striking steel and stone table studio-made by American sculptor Albert Paley (1944-). The table heavy and substantial and will be a bespoken center piece and a focal point with its...Category
1990s American Modern Tables
MaterialsCast Stone, Steel
- Stiffel Aged Brass Lotus LampsBy Tommi Parzinger, StiffelLocated in New York, NYMidcentury stylized lotus lamps in a custom aged bronze/brass finish. Lamps have been rewired for use in USA, uses edison type bulbs up to 100 watts. Lamps have on/off switch at base...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Stiffel Tall Table Lamp or Low Floor Lamp Midcentury Brass and Brushed StainlessBy StiffelLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome 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 Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Stainless Steel
- Stiffel Mahogany & Brass Open Base Table LampBy StiffelLocated in Chicago, ILExceptionally 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
Vintage 1950s American Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Feldman Brass Lotus LampBy Feldman Lighting Co.Located in North Hollywood, CALarge polished brass lotus lamp by Feldman Lighting Co. Shade is not included.Category
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Stiffel Brass Floor LampBy StiffelLocated in Cincinnati, OHStiffel Brass Floor Lamp 3 lights plus 1 mogul Light Lights turn on separate with our without mogul. Milk glass shade in good condition, no chips. ...Category
20th Century North American Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Stiffel Brass Floor Lamp with Glass TableBy StiffelLocated in Doylestown, PAFabulous vintage brass floor lamp with glass table by Stiffel, circa 1970's. The lamp features two bulbs with pull chains and...Category
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
