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.
Pair of Brass Lamps by Chapman Lamps
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Palm Desert, CA
These solid Brass lamps by Chapman Lamps feature an elongated body with a ribbed detail. Lamps retain their original finials as well. New custom silk shades. Both lamps have the orig...
Brass
Pair Polished Vintage Mid Century Brass Table Lamps
Located in Madrid, ES
A pair of Swedish lamps, in Renaissance style in solid and polished brass, round base supported by brass balls, are prepared for use in the US, the lampshades is black with gold int...
Brass
$1,400 / set
H 38 in Dm 19 in
Pair of British Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Brass Baluster Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant pair of solid brass English / British Midcentury Modern Neoclassical table lamps in a baluster form. Height with shade is 38". Brass table lamp diameter is 8". Shades are ...
Brass
$2,195 / set
H 38.5 in W 6 in D 6 in
Mutual Sunset Lamp Corporation Brass Hollywood Regency Lamps, Pair
By Mutual Sunset Lamp Co.
Located in Southampton, NJ
A spectacular pair of Hollywood Regency brass table lamps, generous in size by Mutual Sunset Lamp Corp., New York, 1980's. Gold lined with black faux animal skin lampshades are inclu...
Brass
Brass Table Lamps by Stiffel, Hollywood Regency Style, 1970s, USA
By Stiffel
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice set Brass classic table lamps, comes with matching Shades. 1970s in a Hollywood Regency style.
Brass
Pair of Solid Brass with Oak Table Lamps by Chapman
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of table lamps by Chapman. These sculptural lamps are solid brass with oak at the base. Retains the paper labels and are dated 1987 New white linen shades
Brass
$1,200 / set
H 19 in Dm 8 in
Pair of Hollywood Regency Brass Tulip Base Table Lamps by Charles Parker Co
By Charles Parker
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
These sleek lamps feature a "tulip" style base that flares out at the bottom, providing stability while maintaining an elegant, slender profile. The lamps are constructed from polished brass, often with a lacquered finish to maintain their shine. Manufactured by The Charles Parker Co...
Brass
$1,186Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 30 in W 7.5 in D 7.5 in
Hart & Associates Table Lamps Brass & Bamboo Vintage Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Lighting Acquisitions Of A Vintage Pair of Hart & Asso...
Brass
Ralph Lauren Style Art Deco Brass Table Lamps, Pair
By Ralph Lauren
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco style brass table lamps In the manner of Ralph Lauren Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 12.25"W x 12.25"D x 27.75"H. Shade alone measures: 12.25"W x 12...
Brass
Pair of Polished Brass Chapman Lamps in the Manner of James Mont
By James Mont, Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A stunning pair of tall table polished brass lamps made by Chapman in the manner of James Mont. Newly rewired, with new oatmeal colored linen shades, circa 1960s.
Brass
Pair Mid-Century Stiffel Solid Brass Brutalist Table Lamps with Original Shades
By Stiffel, Ralph Lauren, Dorothy Draper, Frederick Cooper
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking and highly sophisticated pair of Mid-Century Modern Stiffel table lamps, masterfully crafted in solid brass with a bold sculptural silhouette that bridges classic refineme...
Brass
Vintage Pair Brass & Crystal Corinthian Neoclassical Lamps by Frederick Cooper
By Frederick Cooper
Located in San Diego, CA
A refined expression of classical elegance, this striking pair of vintage table lamps by Frederick Cooper embodies the enduring appeal of neoclassical design. Crafted with exceptiona...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Egyptian Style Table Lamps with Bronze Accents by Maitland Smith
By Maitland Smith
Located in San Diego, CA
Great pair of Egyptian style silver leaf table lamps with bronze accents by Maitland Smith. The lamps are very heavy and extremely well made and come with their with original faux le...
Bronze
Striking Pair of Brass Hammered Antique Moroccan Table Lamps
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of Moroccan brass hammered antique table lamps, freshly rewired with cloth cord we believe these are Moroccan but we are not sure lamps a...
Brass
Hollywood Regency Pair of Monkey table lamps in goldleaf Finish
By Maitland Smith
Located in San Diego, CA
1970's pair of decorative monkey table lamps with rattan lampshades, brass socket and goldleaf monkeys perfect working condition the shades shows a couple of strands broken.
Rattan, Wood
Striking Pair of Patinated Twisted Bronze and Lucite Tall Sculpted Lamps
Located in San Diego, CA
Great and unique pair of solid patinated bronze twisted bases sitting on solid Lucite base, the lamps are rewired, new sockets and new white linen lampshades with Lucite finials, th...
Brass, Bronze
