J. T. Kalmar Atomic Sputnik Chandelier, Space-Age Ceiling Lamp, Brass, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer, Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 44 in (111.76 cm)Diameter: 25 in (63.5 cm)
- Style:Space Age (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1015232721982
J.T. Kalmar
In 1881, Julius August Kalmar founded Kalmar, a Viennese company that produced handcrafted objects of cast bronze. Kalmar developed a fine reputation and exhibited internationally often, but it was Kalmar’s son, Julius Theodor (J.T.) Kalmar, who took over in 1913 and made the company shine with its modernist lighting.
Having studied at the Birmingham School of Art and Design and under the Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann at the Vienna School of Applied Arts, J.T. was deeply inspired by the shift to modernity taking place in Europe and sought to work with the leading architects and designers of his time, including Austrian Werkbund architects Josef Frank and Oskar Wlach as well as Ernst Plischke, Clemens Holzmeister and Oswald Haerdtl. Similar to the Wiener Werkstätte cooperative cofounded by Hoffmann that prized materials, form and function, Kalmar viewed his company’s lighting fixtures as “quite humble things” meant to “fit in and serve their purpose of functionally illuminating spaces without glare.”
In 1925, Kalmar began selling in Haus und Garten, the forward-looking decor shop founded by Frank and Wlach. By 1931, a close partnership with the Austrian Werkbund association of architects, artists and craftsmen allowed the company to realize its vision of early 20th-century modernity — a distinctly Viennese pairing of traditional workmanship with contemporary technology. These collaborations included chandeliers and other fixtures using traditional materials such as glass, bronze and brass while focusing on function over ornamentation. As the company grew, so too did the scope of its projects, and soon Kalmar was installing extravagant chandeliers for the Vienna State Opera, the Burgtheater, Vienna stock exchange and other sites.
Under the guidance of Rudolf Calice, J.T. Kalmar’s son-in-law, the 1960s saw Kalmar’s popularity grow, thanks in part to the success of more decorative pieces like the ice-glass fixtures created with Austrian sculptor Karl Gruber. Thomas Calice, the great-grandson of Kalmar’s founder, led the company in the 1990s and its expansion to international lighting projects while shifting away from serial production. In 2009, Thomas’s son August Chalice established Kalmar Werkstätten to produce fixtures that reference the Kalmar archives but also feature updates on the iconic designs. Kalmar continues to produce bespoke fixtures while also working on custom lighting projects around the world, from cruise ships to the Burj Khalifa.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage J.T. Kalmar lighting that includes chandeliers, wall lights, floor lamps and other fixtures.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Vienna, Austria
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Up of 3 Identical J.T. Kalmar Atomic Ceiling Lamps Chandeliers, Austria, 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Vienna, ATUp to three identical huge Austrian Mid-Century Atomium chandeliers, designed and executed by J.T. Kalmar Vienna in 1969. Vey impressive pieces, made of nickel-plated metal with nice...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsNickel
- Impressive Doria Cascading Hourglass Chandelier, Space Age, Germany, 1960sBy Doria Leuchten GermanyLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful large Cascade chandelier / pendant lamp from the 1960s, executed by Doria, Germany. This impressive chandelier has nine cascadin...Category
Mid-20th Century German Space Age Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum, Chrome
- J.T. Kalmar Sun Mid-Century Brass Chandelier Ceiling Lamp, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful Mid-Century modernist brass chandelier / ceiling Light / flush mount from the 1950s, model „Sonne“ (sun), executed by Kalmar Vienna. In good condition with nice patina on...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
- Kalmar Tambour Drum Chandelier, Brass, Textured Ice Glass, Austria, 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful midcentury brass drum chandelier from the 1960s, executed by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna/Austria. Consists of a metal frame with six solid te...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Two Matching Kalmar Brass and Textured Glass Midcentury Chandeliers, 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Vienna, ATUp to two identical and beautiful round three-tiered modernist chandeliers, executed by Kalmar in Austria in the 1960s. 37 solid textured crystal melting glass sheets (15 long and 22...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
- J.T. Kalmar Midcentury Star Frosted Glass Chandelier, Austria, 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful Viennese modernist star chandelier, designed and executed by Kalmar Vienna. White painted metal frame with nickel-plated hardware and textured glass. In very good conditi...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Kalmar Atomic Ceiling Lamps Chandeliers, 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Wien, ATKalmar atomic ceiling lamps chandeliers, 1960s designed and executed by Kalmar Vienna in 1969. Made of nickel-plated metal with nice ball lampsha...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsNickel
- Space Age Atomic Chandelier, 1960s, GermanyLocated in Antwerp, BESpace Age Atomic chandelier. A German Sputnik light made of chrome and glass which dates from the 1960s. This Orbital chandelier was made in Germany. It's a Modern style ceiling light with still very beautiful shiny chrome and with 6 beautiful art glass shades. The rod to hang and the cover on top have some patina of age, but when the light is hanging you don't see it. Space age - Atomic - Orbital - Ufo Light...Category
Mid-20th Century German Space Age Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
- Very rare 1960s Space Age Chrome ceiling lamp by J.T. Kalmar AustriaBy J.T. KalmarLocated in München, DEVery rare 1960s Space Age Chrome flush mount lamp by J.T. Kalmar. Great very high quality design from the 1960s. Made in Austria. Molecular construction made of chrome-plated metal. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Space Age Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Vintage Space Age Sputnik Ceiling LampLocated in Saarbrücken, SLEarly Sputnik ceiling lamp form Germany in very nice original condition.Category
Vintage 1960s German Space Age Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Chrome, Nickel
- Space Age Chandelier Sputnik by Elektroinstala Decín, 1960sBy Elektroinstala DěčínLocated in Praha, CZ3-Flamming Space Age chandelier nade by Elektroinstala Jilove u Decina in 1960s. Good original condition. 3x60W, E25-E27 bulbs US wiring compatibleCategory
Vintage 1960s Czech Space Age Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- 1960s Space Age Bakalowits & Söhne, "Mirakle" Sputnik ChandelierBy Bakalowits & SöhneLocated in Merida, YucatanVery large Mid-Century Modern Sputnik chandelier from the 1960s by Bakalowits & Söhne, Austria, circa 1960s. This chandelier consists of layers of nickel-plated metal disks holding different sized crystal rods with differently faceted ends. This is not a modern model (photos of the original condition are available to prove this), the chandelier has been rewired and repolished, This one consists of 7 stacked rings...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Space Age Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCrystal