J.T. Kalmar Heron Curved Brass Chandelier, Josef Frank Style, Austria, 1950s
View Similar Items
J.T. Kalmar Heron Curved Brass Chandelier, Josef Frank Style, Austria, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Attributed to:Josef Frank (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 46 in (116.84 cm)Diameter: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:early 1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1015237949802
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.
- J.T. Kalmar Heron Curved Brass Chandelier, Josef Frank Style, Austria, 1950sBy Oswald HaerdtlLocated in Vienna, ATA gorgeous brass chandelier, known as the 'Heron' model, produced by J.T. Kalmar Vienna in the early 1950s. Featuring a gracefully curved brass frame, equipped with three light sourc...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Josef Frank Mid-Century Three-Arm Brass Chandelier, Austria, 1950sBy Josef FrankLocated in Vienna, ATAn elegant and charming Viennese modernist brass chandelier with three arms, designed by Josef Frank. In very good condition, it has still its original lampshades.Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Brass Chandelier with Textured Ice Glass, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful brass chandelier by J. T. Kalmar Vienna, Austria, from the 1950s with textured ice glasses on it. White painted base with brass rod and nice brass knobs. In good conditi...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- J.T. Kalmar Huge Spare Brass and Textured Glass Chandelier, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful and unusual square brass and glass chandelier on two rods, executed by Kalmar Vienna, Austria. Has a lovely curved shape and nice brass details and is in very good condit...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Large J.T. Kalmar Sonne Sun Brass Spider Chandelier Flush Mount, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful and large Midcentury sputnik chandelier ceiling lamp from the 1950s, model „Sonne" executed by J.T. Kalmar Vienna in Austria. It ...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
- Large J.T. Kalmar Chandelier by Josef FrankBy Josef Frank, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATLarge brass frame with nine arms in two tiers each fitted with E27 porcelain sockets each with silk shades. Designed by Josef Frank in the 1930s for J.T. Kalmar produced in the 1940s...Category
Vintage 1940s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Josef Frank J.T. Kalmar Brass & Leather Desk Table Lamp, 1950s, AustriaBy Josef Frank, Haus & Garten, J.T. KalmarLocated in Biebergemund, HessenImportant 1950s desk lamp, designed by Josef Frank and manufactured by J.T. Kalmar in the Viennese Modern Age era. The light is made of massive brass in very elegant shape and high q...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Two J.T. Kalmar Chandeliers, Textured Glass, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Wien, ATTwo square J.T. Kalmar chandeliers, textured glass, Austria, 1950s. Original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Counterweight Pendant Light 'Jo-Jo Zug' Kalmar, Josef Frank, Brass Wicker, 1950sBy Svenskt Tenn, Haus & Garten, Josef Frank, J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA rare and fantastic height adjustable brass counter balance pendant lamp with wicker lampshade model 'Jo-Jo Zug' no. 2505 by J.T. Kalmar manufactured in midcentury in 1950s. The lig...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Cone Chandelier, 1950sBy Stilnovo, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATRare counter-weight chandelier by J.T. Kalmar, circa 1950. Four brass arms, each with a large Dual-cone shade with new hand-printed fabric. Each arm has one E27 socket pointing down ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Josef Frank Adjustable Floor Lamp 'Neolift' by J.T. Kalmar, Brass Wood, 1950sBy Josef Frank, Haus und Garten, J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA gorgeous and rare foor lamp model 'Neolift' model no. 2018 designed by Josef Frank ca. 1930 for Haus & Garten. The offered piece was manufactured by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, in midcent...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass