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 |
| $1,832 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
Late 20th Century American Regency Stiffel
Enamel, Brass
Late 20th Century American Art Nouveau Stiffel
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel
Brass
Late 20th Century American Late Victorian Stiffel
Brass
1970s American Modern Vintage Stiffel
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Stiffel
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stiffel
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stiffel
Metal, Brass
Stiffel Sellers
Creators Similar to Stiffel
Stiffel furniture for sale 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 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.
- 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.