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Stiffel Table Lamps

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.

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Creator: Stiffel
Mid-Century Brass Lotus Motif Table Lamp
Mid-Century Brass Lotus Motif Table Lamp

Mid-Century Brass Lotus Motif Table Lamp

$800

Mid-Century Brass Lotus Motif Table Lamp

By Stiffel

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Nice Mid-Century Modern table lamp by Stiffel.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Table Lamps

Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (C) - Pair
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (C) - Pair

Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (C) - Pair

$595 / set

Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (C) - Pair

By Stiffel

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Lacquered Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (C) - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 27" H (to light socket) x 6.5"...

Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Stiffel Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of Stiffel Ostrich Egg and Antique Brass Table Lamps
Pair of Stiffel Ostrich Egg and Antique Brass Table Lamps

Pair of Stiffel Ostrich Egg and Antique Brass Table Lamps

$2,200Sale Price / set|20% Off

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 Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (A) - Pair
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (A) - Pair

Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (A) - Pair

$650 / set

Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (A) - Pair

By Stiffel

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Lacquered Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (A) - Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 27" H (to light socket) x 6.5" W...

Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Stiffel Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Brass Lamp by Stiffel
Brass Lamp by Stiffel

Brass Lamp by Stiffel

$2,600

Brass Lamp by Stiffel

By Stiffel

Located in New York, NY

Brass and cut-glass lamp by Stiffel. Brass is heavy. Boudoir style. Measures: 23.5" height (top of finial), base 7.5" squared. Shade not included.

Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of Stiffel Fluted and Studded Brass Urn Table Lamps
Pair of Stiffel Fluted and Studded Brass Urn Table Lamps

Pair of Stiffel Fluted and Studded Brass Urn Table Lamps

$2,437Sale Price / set|25% Off

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 Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

A bespoken Stiffel brass lamp with a lotus design base
A bespoken Stiffel brass lamp with a lotus design base

A bespoken Stiffel brass lamp with a lotus design base

$2,000Sale Price|20% Off

A bespoken Stiffel brass lamp with a lotus design base

By Stiffel

Located in Atlanta, GA

A quite dramatic tall table lamp made by Stiffel lamps USA circa 1960s. Brass construction with a single socket on candlestick-style enamel tubular stand set in a petaled lotus flowe...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Stiffel Rustic Patinated Brass Table Lamp
Stiffel Rustic Patinated Brass Table Lamp

Stiffel Rustic Patinated Brass Table Lamp

$385

Stiffel Rustic Patinated Brass Table Lamp

By Stiffel

Located in San Francisco, CA

A tall, brass table lamp with an aged patina. A column shape with a bulbous bottom and square base. Made by Stiffel in the mid-20th century. Newly rewired a dimmer on the socket. 7" ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Stiffel Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Hollywood Regency Stiffel Co. Brass and Ebonized Column Form Table Lamp
Pair of Hollywood Regency Stiffel Co. Brass and Ebonized Column Form Table Lamp

Pair of Hollywood Regency Stiffel Co. Brass and Ebonized Column Form Table Lamp

$2,520 / set

Pair of Hollywood Regency Stiffel Co. Brass and Ebonized Column Form Table Lamp

By Stiffel

Located in Stamford, CT

A pair of Stiffel Co. brass and ebonized column form table lamps each signed. Each done in the Hollywood Regency Fashion of metal brass and ebony design with milk glass globes.

Category

Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Stiffel Table Lamps

Vintage Regency Stiffel Figurative Lamps - a Pair
Vintage Regency Stiffel Figurative Lamps - a Pair

Vintage Regency Stiffel Figurative Lamps - a Pair

$1,950 / set

Vintage Regency Stiffel Figurative Lamps - a Pair

By Stiffel

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This pair of vintage Regency Stiffel figurative lamps exudes elegance and sophistication, featuring intricately detailed figures that capture the opulent style of the Regency era. Cr...

Category

Late 20th Century American Stiffel Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Vintage Stiffel Mid-Century Modern Glazed Ceramic Lamp
Vintage Stiffel Mid-Century Modern Glazed Ceramic Lamp

Vintage Stiffel Mid-Century Modern Glazed Ceramic Lamp

$1,950

Vintage Stiffel Mid-Century Modern Glazed Ceramic Lamp

By Stiffel

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A stunning vintage MCM table lamp. Made by the iconic Stiffel group. A chic brilliant blue glazed ceramic body with heavy brass details. Acquired from a...

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Stiffel table lamps for sale on 1stDibs.

Stiffel table lamps are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Stiffel table lamps, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original table lamps by Stiffel were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider table lamps by The Marbro Lamp Company, Chapman Manufacturing Company, and Frederick Cooper. Prices for Stiffel table lamps can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $160 and can go as high as $7,750, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,000.

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Questions About Stiffel Table Lamps
  • 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 can I tell if a table lamp is vintage?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    There are a few ways to identify if your table lamp is vintage, but it does vary from brand to brand. If you can spot a maker’s mark or manufacturer’s label on your piece, it could tell you where and when it was crafted. On 1stDibs, find vintage and contemporary table lamps from top sellers around the world.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.