French Country · Encyclopedia · Lighting and Mirrors
Stiffel Lamp
American brass lamps made by Stiffel from the 1930s, a mid-century staple.
Lamps & Shades · Indicative US retail $100–$1,200
At a glance
- Family: Lamps & Shades
- Periods most often found: Most collected Stiffel lamps date from 1940 to 1975.
- Typical price: about $350; range $100 to $1,200 and more for exceptional pieces
- What drives value: Original shade, pairs, finish
What it is
Stiffel lamps are the archetypal American mid-century brass lamp. The Stiffel Company of Chicago, founded by Theodore Stiffel in 1932, produced heavy solid-brass table and floor lamps with three-way sockets, often in Colonial, Regency and Hollywood Regency styles, sold through department stores until the company closed in the early 2000s. Their tall bases, urn and column forms and large pleated or drum shades became fixtures of American living rooms.
How to identify and date it
Look for "Stiffel" stamped on the brass socket, the base or a label on the felt; some later lamps have paper labels. Solid brass is heavy and non-magnetic. Check the lacquer for wear, the wiring and the original three-way switch, and whether the lamp keeps its original shade, harp and finial; original shades in good condition add value. Pairs are popular.
Periods and styles
Most collected Stiffel lamps date from 1940 to 1975.
How much is it worth?
On the US retail market, most stiffel lamp examples ask around $350. Simple or worn pieces start near $100, while documented, signed or exceptional examples can pass $1,200. The main value drivers are: original shade, pairs, finish. These are indicative ranges, not an appraisal; see our price guide for French antiques for the method.
Questions buyers ask: vintage stiffel lamps price guide. The answer depends on the points below, which are worth checking before you compare prices.
Before you buy
- Check the mark
- Inspect brass
- Confirm shade
- Check wiring
Living with it
A pair of Stiffel lamps on a console or nightstands brings mid-century elegance to a French-American interior.
How we write these guides: identification notes are general guidance written by French Country; a style name, a region or a resemblance does not by itself date or attribute a piece. Price ranges are indicative US retail asking prices for antique and vintage examples in sound condition (dealers, specialist marketplaces and auctions), estimated and rounded as of November 2026; check recent sold results before relying on a figure. They are not appraisals or offers to buy or sell: condition, provenance and documentation can move a value far outside the range. For insurance, estates or sales, ask an independent, qualified appraiser for a written valuation.