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.
$2,062Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 42.25 in W 7 in D 7 in
Pair of Stiffel White Crackle Glazed Ceramic and Brass Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of heavy bodied, white craquelure glazed ceramic table lamps. Patinated brass appointments from the best days of American premier lighting company, Stiffel. Sold sans shades.
Brass
$1,200 / set
H 26 in W 7 in D 7 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Table Lamps, White with Gilt Accents, a Pair
Located in Delray Beach, FL
This refined pair of vintage mid-century modern table lamps features a crisp white ceramic glaze accented with original gilt detailing that has gently faded over time, creating a war...
Ceramic
$796Sale Price / set|45% Off
H 31 in W 7 in D 7 in
Mid-Century Modern Glazed Ceramic Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this stunning pair of two large table lamps that are made out of ceramic with metal bases.
Ceramic
Pair of Exotic Ceramic Table Lamps with an Umber Glaze
Located in New York, NY
Pair of exotic ceramic table lamps with a patterned textured surface with an umber glaze. .The lamps have been newly rewired with adjustable antique bronze finished double clusters ...
Metal
$2,900 / set
H 30 in W 9 in D 9 in L 30 in
Vintage Palm Beach Crackle Glaze Porcelain & Brass Table Lamps Newly Wired
By Christopher Spitzmiller
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely vintage pair of crackle porcelain table lamps. Gold gilt wood base with brass top. Newly wired, clear cords, 3 way sockets, new brass hardware. Dimensions: 30 H (to top of fin...
Brass
$3,638 / set
H 45.87 in W 15.95 in D 7.88 in
Pair of Table Lamps in Crackled White Ceramic and Patinated Brass.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of table lamps in crackled white ceramic and patinated brass. This pretty lamp has an artistic base in crackled white ceramic that gives it the look of sculpture. It is beautif...
Brass
$6,500 / set
H 45 in W 8.25 in D 8.25 in
Marbro Lamp Company 1950's Large Porcelain And Brass Table Lamps
By The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in New York, NY
Fabulous pair of Large 1950's porcelain brass and giltwood bases table lamps by The Marbro Lamp Company, lightly restored and newly rewired in silk wired, with minor wear and patina ...
Brass
Pair of Stiffel Lamps in Glazed Ceramic Bottle Form
By Stiffel
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern glazed ceramic bottle vase form lamps on brass bases, in bone with charcoal brown striations and subtle craqueleur to glazing. Each measures 42in to top of finial 24in to top of base. Brass bases are 6 inches square and have rich patination. See original ad from a 1960 Chicago Tribune.
Brass
Pr. Ceramic Table Lamps Made in Italy Attr. to Urbano Zaccagnini
By Ugo Zaccagnini
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of ceramic table lamps, made in Italy, circa 1950/1960's, att. to Urbano Zaccagnini. Both lamps are in very good, original, working condition, the ceramic bodies are free o...
Pottery
Ceramic Incised Lamps with Gold Bases, USA, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful hand incised glazed ceramic lamps, 1960s, USA.
Stiffel Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps in Satin Brass & White Ceramic
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid-Century classically styled lamps featuring satin brass bodies with white glazed ceramic modified Ostrich egg shaped centers. Rewired with brass sockets and new cords. 100...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps, Ceramic and Brass, Italy, 1950s Design
Located in New York, NY
Bitossi influenced midcentury ceramic tan glazed lamps with horizontal incised detailing on bodies and contrasting tooled vertical band on an aged brass base. Rewired for use in the ...
Brass
Stiffel Ochre Glazed Ceramic Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Ochre glazed ceramic lamps with satin brass disc base and double pull chain sockets. Rewired for use in USA. Height can be adjusted between 30-34 inches.
Brass
Pair of Arts and Crafts Porcelain Table Lamps, Bronze Base, USA, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of crackled glaze porcelain lamps featuring an Arts & Crafts transfer border. Lamps have bronze bases and hardware throughout. Rewired for use in the USA, 100W max.
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Table Lamps, Aged Bronze, USA, 1960s
By Tommi Parzinger, Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury 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...
Brass
Bitossi Midcentury Ceramic Table Lamps, Birch Tree Glaze, Italy, 1970s
By Bitossi
Located in New York, NY
Pair of midcentury ceramic column lamps with bold brown glazed banding and birch tree effect glaze centers. Rewired for use in the USA, satin nickel hardware. 100W max bulbs.
Nickel
