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.
$2,336Sale Price|30% Off
H 30.91 in W 23.82 in D 23.82 in
Royal Eagle Bronze Table Lamp in the Style of Maison Charles
By Maison Charles
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This table lamp is made of bronze and black lacquered bronze. The lamp represents a Royal Eagle in the Empire style. This is a French work in the Style of Maison Charles. Circa 1970
Bronze
$2,963Sale Price|24% Off
H 30.25 in Dm 14 in
Signed Maison Charles Bronze & Black Marble Eagle Table Lamp Neoclassical France
By Maison Charles et Fils
Located in Miami, FL
Superb Maison Charles table lamp stunning handmade hammered bronze eagle like a Trophy mounted on a Black Marble Pedestal. US rewired and in working condition. It takes three regula...
Belgian Black Marble, Metal, Bronze
French Empire style Brass Column Lamp with an Eagle
By Empire Art Products Co.
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly decorative French empire style lamp likely made in the early 20thC. The polished brass column was likely the stem of a candelabra which was later embellished with an eagle ...
Brass
$750Sale Price|40% Off
H 31 in W 16 in D 7.75 in
Vintage Hand Carved Eagle Neoclassical Giltwood Table Lamp.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Vintage Hand Carved Eagle Neoclassical Giltwood Table Lamp. This hand carved accent lamp with cylindrical base features a large eagle, with head tu...
Wood
Signed Maison Charles "Eagle" Lamp
By Maison Charles et Fils
Located in Miami, FL
Superb Maison Charles lamp, bronze eagle, original bronze shade. Three lights, 60 watts per light. US rewired and in working condition.
Bronze
Majestic Mid-Century Modern Eagle Table Lamp, Italian
Located in Antwerp, BE
Majestic Mid-Century Modern Eagle Table Lamp, Italian Hollywood Regency Eagle Bronze Lamp. 60s and 70s lamp in solid silvered bronze in empire style representing an eagle with outst...
Bronze, Chrome
Eagle Table Lamp in Federal Style, Gilt Metal & Wood, USA, 1950s
By Maison Charles
Located in Glasgow, GB
A Federal style eagle table lamp produced in the United States during the 1950s, combining gilt metal, brass, and turned wood in a sculptural and characterful composition. The design centres on a cast metal eagle...
Metal, Brass, Gold Leaf
French Art Deco Eagle Table Lamp
Located in Long Island City, NY
Summer Sale...! A French Art Deco Eagle motif table, desk lamp in nickeled bronze with light Black Patina in great condition. We are the rare source tha...
Bronze, Nickel
$2,800
H 23 in W 12 in D 5.5 in
French Empire-Style Bouillotte Lamp with Napoleonic Eagle Motif, circa 1925
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire-Style Bouillotte Lamp with Napoleonic Eagle Motif, circa 1925, Patinated and gilt ormolu with tole shade; fitted with two candelabra bulbs Three pieces: lamp base, sha...
Metal, Ormolu
Empire style brass eagle table lamp by Lusterie Deknudt, 1970s
By Deknudt
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Empire style sculptural table lamp feauturing a sitting eagle with its wings on show, candelabra mounted on a black lacquered and brass wooden tbase. Comes with its original large l...
Brass
Hollywood Regency Brass Lamp on Wood Base, Etched Floral Motif
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Bring timeless elegance and warm sophistication into your home with this vintage brass chinoiserie table lamp, beautifully crafted with an etched floral medallion design on its front...
Metal, Brass
Vintage Brass Rembrandt Table Lamp – Elegant Neoclassical Design, Circa 1950s
By Rembrandt Lamp Company
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A stunning vintage Rembrandt table lamp, a true masterpiece of mid-century lighting design. Crafted by the renowned Rembrandt Lamp Company...
Metal, Brass
Vintage Frederick Cooper Neoclassical Brass and Ivory Urn Table Lamp
By Frederick Cooper
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A striking vintage neoclassical urn table lamp by celebrated American lighting maker Frederick Cooper of Chicago. Grand in scale and beautifully detailed, this sculptural table lamp...
Metal, Brass
Traditional Marble Stone Empire Cream and Gray Carved Table Lamp, circa 1920s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful intricately carved marble table or desk lamp with wood base. The marble is in a gorgeous gray and cream / white color with incredible veining. Some scratches to marble and ...
Stone, Marble
Tall Gold Art Nouveau Vintage Lilly Pad Table Lamp with Gold Shade
By Stiffel
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall Hollywood Regency or Art Nouveau table lamp with gold shade. This is a gorgeous tall lamp that will be eye-catching on any accent table, buffet, or side table. The base is created from a gold metal (possibly brass due to the patina that has developed over time. The shape is in the shape of a lily pad or lotus flower with scalloped edges that turn up slightly. The body of the lamp is of white metal and features a plume of gold...
Metal
Tall Gold Faux Leaf Tole Table Lamp with Cream Shade
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall petite table lamp that would be fabulous on a small reading table. The body is created from golden brass and is decorated with leaves that outstre...
Metal
