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.
Hollywood Regency-Style Brass and Glass Table Lamp by Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Statuesque Hollywood Regency-Style table lamp by Stiffel composed of a solid brass stem and adornments with pale yellow enameled metal accents. Retains its original glass shade/diffu...
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Vintage Stiffel Solid Brass Hollywood Regency Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage Stiffel solid crackle brass MCM Hollywood Regency lamp in the form of a trophy. Comes with original harp and heavy solid brass finial. Good vin...
Brass
Vintage Stiffel Hollywood Regency Brass Baroque Candlestick Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Stiffel Hollywood Regency Brass Baroque Candlestick Table Lamp On Metal Base. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 36.5" H (to finial) x 28" H (to light socket) x 7" W x 7"...
Brass
Mid Century Colonial Premier Brass Torchiere Trophy Urn Uplight Table Lamp 25"
Located in Dayton, OH
Early to mid 20th century table lamp by the Colonial Premier Company of Chicago. Brass trophy urn / oil lamp style base with tulip shaped accents and feet, leading up to a painted co...
Brass
Vintage Brass Table Lamp Hollywood Regency Style, 1910
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Vintage brass table lamp, classic Empire design lamp from 1910 in Hollywood Regency style, made in USA This huge impressive brass table lamp with dark red glass column is so large t...
Brass
Ceramic and Brass Table Lamp
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian yellow ceramic and brass table lamp. Measures: Height base 37 cm. Total height 75 cm. Diameter 24 cm. Weight 5 kg.
Brass
Vintage Stiffel Hollywood Regency Tall Brass Candlestick Column Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Stiffel Hollywood Regency Tall Brass Candlestick Column Table Lamp. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 29" H (to light socket) x 8" W x 8" D. {3-Way (...
Brass
Vintage Brass Table Lamp in Hollywood Regency Style, Hand-Crafted, USA
By Stiffel
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage polished brass turned column table lamp. Hollywood Regency style turned column form table lamp. Crafted of solid cast brass, this elegant table lamp has a polished brass fi...
Brass
Hollywood Regency French Brass Swing Arm Lamp Maison Charles
By Maison Charles
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Exceptional Brass Floor lamp. Multi-directional swing arm and decorative finials. This lamp is heavy with black metal base and main tube and brass. Beautifully designed - solid with ...
Brass, Bronze
Vintage Stiffel Brass and Glass Torchiere Floor Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Lomita, CA
A mid-century modern Stiffel lamp is perfectly balanced on a square base that has four little ball feet. It has most of the weight in the base. It...
Brass
Mid-Century Gilt Floor Lamp by Nardini Studios, 1950s Metal & Glass
Located in San Carlos, CA
🌟 Introducing the Stunning Mid-Century Gilt Lamp by Nardini Studios! 🌟 Elevate your living space with a touch of vintage elegance! Presenting our exquisite Mid-Century table lamp ...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Brass and Wood Floor Lamp With Double Fiberglass Drum Shade
Located in San Carlos, CA
For sale we have a gorgeous mid century modern floor brass floor lamp with wood accent. This floor lamp is finished with a beautiful fiberglass double drum shade. This mid century modern floor lamp is in excellent working condition and in sound structural shape. The brass comes with some pitting and patina, the wood is in good condition. The shade has no rips or tears in the fiberglass, but the rings are carrying some rust. See pictures for details. This lamps can be put to use as is and will stand out with its sleek design and fabulous shade. It's a gorgeous piece, don't miss out Measures 65.5" tall x 13" wide Outside Lamp...
Brass
Hollywood Regency Floor Lamp, Glass & Brass, Italian Design, 1980s
Located in San Carlos, CA
🌟 Stunning 1980's Hollywood Regency Floor Lamp for Sale! 🌟 Elevate your space with this exquisite Hollywood Regency style floor lamp, reminiscent of vintage glamour and sophistica...
Brass
1970's Cofrac Leaded Crystal Glass and Brass Table Lamp
By Cofrac
Located in San Carlos, CA
Gorgeous handblown crystal art glass table lamp with brass base, center and top, presumably by Cofrac in France. This item is unmarked, but Cofrac tags their items with labels, which...
Crystal, Brass
Vintage Modern Frederick Cooper Brass Adjustable Pharmacy Desk Lamp, Chicago
By Frederick Cooper
Located in San Carlos, CA
A vintage brass pharmacy-style desk lamp by Frederick Cooper, Chicago — a maker known since 1923 for well-crafted lighting with a distinct modernist edge. This example features a wei...
Brass
Mid-Century French Brass Double Arm Wall Sconce, Circa 1950s
Located in San Carlos, CA
Elegant Mid-Century Brass Double Arm Wall Sconce, France, 1970s Dimensions: 14.5” W x 21” H x 7” D This striking Mid-Century brass wall sconce features a graceful urn-shaped backpl...
Brass, Enamel
