Stiffel
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.
| Average Sold Price |
| $1,391 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
Pair Of Mid Century Stiffel Torchiere Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of mid century torchiere table lamps by Stiffel in brass with white enameling. The lamps with white glass shades with reeded raised design and embossed Stiffel as shown. The foo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel
Materials
Metal
Stiffel Mid-Century Polished Solid Brass Colunm Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Germantown, MD
Stiffel Mid-Century Polished Solid Brass Colunm Table Lamp
Measures 6" in width, 6" in depth and 21" in height to the top of the light socket, 28" in height to the top
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel
Materials
Brass
STIFFEL Patinated Solid Brass Table Lamps with Original Shades, 1950s, USA
By Stiffel
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Pair of elegant table lamps manufactured by Stiffel in USA. The lamps are made of solid patinated brass with original lampshades. The lamps are in very good condition.
Fully working...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Stiffel
Materials
Brass
Stiffel Mid-Century Polished Solid Brass and Porcelain Colunm Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Germantown, MD
Stiffel Mid-Century Polished Solid Brass and Porcelain Colunm Table Lamp.
Measures 7" in width, 7" in depth and 23" in height to the top of the light socket, 30" in height to the top...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel
Materials
Brass
Stiffel Sculptural Table Lamp, Ceramic and Brass, Mid Century Modern
By Stiffel
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Stiffel table or accent lamp was made with graphic, angular brass base and pillar top juxtaposed by rounded ceramic body in complex medium grey color glaze. Reserved color p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel
Materials
Brass
Pair of Stiffel Brass Columnar Table Lamps
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Stiffel
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Stiffel Brass Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful tall mid-20th century Stiffel table lamp in brass with matte black enamel accents and foliate leaf detailing. Having an urn-form turned brass central standard, rising on ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Green Glazed Ceramic Stiffel Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Winter Park, FL
A large Midcentury teal green glazed ceramic lamp with solid cast brass base and tall neck. Original antique patina. White milk glass reflector. Very high quality iconic lamp by the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Stiffel
Materials
Brass
Browse all Furniture from Stiffel
Shop NowStiffel Sale Prices
This data represents a recent sample of sales made on 1stDibs during the specified years. All sales are anonymized.
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $1,391 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $190-$4,050 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
Creators Similar to Stiffel
Stiffel furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Stiffel furniture 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 furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture 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 furniture by Robert Sonneman, Gerald Thurston, and Chapman Manufacturing Company. Prices for Stiffel furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,800 and can go as high as $6,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,800.
Questions About Stiffel
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024To tell if a brass lamp is vintage, you'll need to determine if it is 20 to 99 years old by conducting online research or having an expert, such as a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer, evaluate it. If you prefer to do the research yourself, first look for the maker's markings. Then, consult trusted online resources to identify the maker and read further to find out when the company was active and manufacturing similar lamps. Checking the plug can also be helpful. If it has two prongs of the same size, you can conclude that your lamp was made in 1962 or before, as U.S. standards set that year required all lamps to feature polarized plugs with one large and one small prong. Keep in mind that it is possible to rewire a lamp, and some makers switched to polarized plugs before the standard was established, so the lack of a non-polarized plug doesn't necessarily mean a lamp isn't pre-1962. Find a large selection of vintage brass table lamps on 1stDibs.
- Are Stiffel lamps made in China?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, 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.
- Are Stiffel lamps valuable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021No, 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, 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.