Stiffel Lighting
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.
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Creator: Stiffel
Mid-Century Stiffel Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Walnut and brass table lamp, design after Parzinger. Height to brass disk 22.5" Working, clean, original condition. Shade not included.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Stiffel Tri-Light Floor Lamp, Hexagon Base and Finished in Antiqued Brass, 1960s
By Stiffel
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Stiffel tri-light floor lamp, hexagon base and finished in an antiqued brass finish. From the mid-late 1960s. The lamp is fitted with a Tri-light center lamp and milkglass shade, and...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Hollywood Regency White Craquelure Ceramic and Brass Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large scale white craquelure ceramic lamps with brass base and hardware. The Stiffel Lamp Company, circa 1960's.
Measurements are:
37.5" ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Stiffel Brass Candlestick Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Midcentury classically styled brushed brass candlestick lamps with enameled centers. Rewired for use in USA, 100W max bulbs.
Category
20th Century American American Classical Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Original Stiffel Tension Rod Brass Floor Light
By Stiffel
Located in North Miami, FL
Vintage midcentury lamp from the 1950s consists of 6 illuminating arms on an all brass adjustable tension pole. A single dial switch turns on the floor lamp. The height is semi adjustable, the top of the pole is spring loaded and can be lowered depending on your ceiling height.
Note: Tension rod...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Monumental Stiffel Parzinger Mid Century Regency Table Lamp Bronze Brass mcm 50s
By Stiffel, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Peoria, AZ
Stiffel Mid Century
Bronze Brass Regency
Table Lamp
Epitome of Mid Century Elegance!
Attributed to Tommi Parzinger
A simply stunning Stiffel!
Great regency design exemplified i...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
1950s Patinated Brass Stiffel Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
1950s patinated brass tall table lamps by Stiffel.
Height to light socket 31.5.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Metal, 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"...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair Mid Century Modern Stiffel Brass Finial Shape Table Lamps Marble Bases MINT
By Tommi Parzinger, Stiffel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair Mid Century Modern Stiffel Brass Finial Shape Table Lamps Square Marble Bases MINT!
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Stiffel Patinated Brass Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of patinated solid brass baluster form 52" table lamps. Traditional Machine Age bases with flared section bodies that finish with a poppy flower bobeche. Lacquered ivory metal s...
Category
1960s American Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Monumental Pair of Turquoise and Brass Table Lamps by Edwin Cole for Stiffel
By Edwin Cole, Stiffel
Located in San Francisco, CA
A monumental pair of Turquoise and Brass table lamps by Edwin Cole for Stiffel.
Starts with a black wooden square pedestal with a brass ring above, sitting on the ring is the large ...
Category
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Custom Finished, Stylized Bamboo Satin Brass Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of satin brass stylized bamboo column lamps with dual sockets and coral pull chains. Rewired for use in the USA with gold twist cords.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Coral, Brass
Pair of Stiffel Obelisk Lamps after Tommi Parzinger
By Stiffel, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Hanover, MA
Impressively tall and architecturally inspired pair of vintage 1960's table lamps in the style of Tommi Parzinger in pecan wood and bronze-tone brass.
Four spheres atop a plinth base...
Category
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Tall Mid-Century Modern White Crackle Glaze Ceramic and Brass Lamp by Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall ceramic and brass torchère style table lamp by Stiffel. A rare find, this circular lamp with white crackle glaze, has long been a difficult find for Stiffel lovers.
The ro...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Stiffel Brass Swivel Arm Floor Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a swivel arm floor lamp. This floor lamp is made by the Stiffel Lighting Co. It's brass with a wooden knob on the shade.
This lamp will make a great addition to any home.
Category
20th Century American Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Stiffel Brass Table Lamp Mid Century Modern Stacked Orbits Jacks Base Pattern
By Tommi Parzinger, Stiffel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Tall sharp looking brass table lamp by Stiffel.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Brass Table Lamp by Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern table lamp by Stiffel.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Tall Tommi Parzinger Style Nickel & Brass Stiffel Lamp with Milk Glass Shade
By Stiffel, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Substantial Hollywood Regency Stiffel brushed Brass & Nickel Plate Table Lamp. Circa 1960. Small footprint. Featuring a tall slender reflective form a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Nickel, Brass
Solid Brass Stiffel Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern solid brass Stiffel table lamp.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Stiffel Mahogany & Brass Open Base Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Exceptionally designed mahogany and brass open base table lamp by Stiffel. Tapered mahogany body topped with a brass stem and brass bobeche. Brass base is an open circle with four br...
Category
1950s American Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Stiffel Fluted Walnut and Brass Table Lamp, 1950s
By Stiffel
Located in New York, NY
Table lamp with four-point base in fluted walnut and brass by Stiffel, 1950s.
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Vintage Regency Stiffel Figurative Lamps - a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in west palm beach, FL
This pair of vintage Regency Stiffel figurative lamps exudes elegance and sophistication, featuring intricately detailed figures that capture the opulent style of the Regency era. Cr...
Category
Late 20th Century American Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical Tripod Base Brass Table Lamp by Stiffel
By Edwin Cole, Stiffel
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass neoclassical dual socket table lamp by Stiffel. The base is an antiqued solid brass tripod with Italianate legs and a segmented baluster. The switch pulls chains end in a unique turned wood finial. Quite impressive in size and form. Most likely an Edwin Cole design...
Category
1950s American Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Stiffel Midcentury American Ceramic White Lava Glaze Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American ceramic table lamp in globular form, the tapered hourglass neck topped by a brass saucer cap and functioning brass light switch socket, the body fired in a matte white lava glaze with a molten pebble-like texture, resting on a ringed cylindrical foot...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of Nickel Plated Open Spiral Table Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Danville, CA
Pair of solid Nickel plated steel Spiral cage form lamps on black enamel mounted base. The lamps, including new Nickel plated brass sockets and mountings have been replated and rest...
Category
1950s American Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Steel
Candelabra Lamp by Stiffel
By Stiffel
Located in Hanover, MA
Large scale candelabra lamp by Stiffel Lighting, sometimes attributed to Tommi Parzinger.
Category
1960s American Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Stifle Brass Table Lamp
By Stiffel, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice brass stiffel table lamp.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
pair of large Stiffel brass lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
rare pair of american table lamps in brass with their original shades
base height 60cm square base 14cm
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Nickel Plated 1950's Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Wonderful pair of Stiffel lamps newly plated in polished nickel.
Modernist oil lamp form on four tapered legs. Newly rewired. Shades for display only.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Nickel
Pair of Brass Ostrich Egg Wall Sconces, 1990
By Stiffel
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of brass and ostrich egg large Hollywood Regency style sconces.
Category
Late 20th Century American Stiffel Lighting
Materials
Brass
Stiffel lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Stiffel lighting 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 lighting, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original lighting 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 lighting by Robert Sonneman, Gerald Thurston, and The Marbro Lamp Company. Prices for Stiffel lighting can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $160 and can go as high as $7,750, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,975.
Creators Similar to Stiffel
Questions About Stiffel Lighting
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.