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.
Stiffel Satin Brass Table Lamps, Hollywood Regency Style, Mid-Century
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of mid century satin brass large scale statement lamps by Stiffel. Lamps have been rewired for use in the USA with double cluster sockets. 75W max each bulb.
Brass
Brass and Black Enamel Table Lamps, Pair
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
A substantial pair of tall brass table lamps with black matte enamel and leaf detailing, circa mid-20th century, 1960s. On/off switch conveniently located...
Brass, Enamel
$1,500 / set
H 36 in W 6 in D 6 in
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Gold Burnished Brass Urn Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Gold Burnished Brass Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 36" H (to finial) x 31" H (to light socket) x 6" ...
Brass
$750Sale Price / set|62% Off
H 26 in W 7 in D 7 in
Pair of Stiffel Brass Columnar Table Lamps, American Classical, 1960s
By Stiffel
Located in Lomita, CA
This is an extraordinary pair of Stiffel lamps in size, design and presence. The pair are vintage Stiffel brass columnar lamps from the mid to late 20th Century. They are a decoratin...
Brass
$325 / set
H 36 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
Vintage Stiffel Empire Neoclassical Style Urn Form Brass Table Lamps - a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Stiffel Empire Neoclassical Style Urn Form Brass and Ivory Enamel Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 36" H (to finial) x 26" H (to light socket) x 6...
Metal, Brass
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35 in W 8 in D 6 in
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
$525 / set
H 29 in W 7 in D 7 in
Vintage Hollywood Regency Brass Column Stiffel Style Gold Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Hollywood Regency Brass Column Stiffel Style Gold Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 29" H (to finial) x 21" H (to light socket) x 7" W x 7" D. {3-W...
Brass
Pair of Solid Polished Brass Petite Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful pair of solid, polished brass table lamps with harp and finials. Very good vintage condition. Measures 4"W x 4"D x 21.5"H to top of finials. W3LR041722.
Brass
1950’s Italian Brass Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of 1950’s Italian brass table lamps. Refined decoration on the elongated hexagonal vases above bombé stepped bases. Harps are topped with lotus leaf pressed brass finials. Eac...
Brass
$595 / set
H 32 in W 6 in D 6 in
Vintage French Empire Style Gold Brass Metal Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Gold Brass Metal Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 32" H (to finial) x 22" H (to light socket) x 6" W x 6" D. {3-Way (...
Metal
Pair of Hollywood Regency Lamps by Nardini Studio of California
By Nardini Studios
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic pair of mid-century Hollywood Regency porcelain table lamps by Nardini Studio of California. The lamps feature a stunning yellow glazed urn form with applied gilt accents. ...
Brass
Pair of English Decalcomania Regency Style Table Lamps
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning pair of English decalcomania vase table lamps decorated in the Hollywood Regency taste. Featuring baluster form glass vases with images of peaches, pineapples, palm leaves, ...
Bronze, Brass
Pair of Nancy Corzine Neoclassical 22k Topiary Lamps
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent pair of 22k gold embellished table lamps made in the neoclassical taste by Nancy Corzine. The "Topiary" lamps feature a cylindrical fluted Greco-Roman column supporting a rou...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Asian Brass Elephant Head Urn Table Lamp by Marbro
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic Asian brass urn or vase featuring elephant head handles converted into a table lamp by Marbro Lamp Co. The urn is mounted on a brass base with a lotus blossom form and topp...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Italian Carved Three-Light Candelabras
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Polychrome pair of Italian carved three arm candelabras or candle holders. Features a decorative painted frame with yellow and red over a grey background done in a whimsical style. D...
Zinc
Pair of Lacquered Wood Chinoiserie Gilt Decorated Floor Lamps
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome pair of lacquered wood floor lamps featuring a dramatic dark scarlet Japanned finish decorated with gilt Chinoiserie style foliate motifs. The lamps have turned wood columns...
Lacquer, Paint
Erin Lane Estate is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and its team of furniture restorers, art curators, professional appraisers and Asia specialists sources prime vintage and antique furniture from the finest estates in Northern and Southern California. Erin Lane Estate specializes in Hollywood Regency, McGuire, Chinese and Japanese pieces.
