Pair of Large J.T. Kalmar Wall Lights, circa 1960, Textured Glass abd Brass
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.16 in (38.5 cm)Width: 12.41 in (31.5 cm)Depth: 3.55 in (9 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1065023296732
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 14 days of delivery.
- Pair of J.T. Kalmar Wall Lights, 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, Stilnovo, Gino SarfattiLocated in Vienna, ATFine pair of J.T. Kalmar wall lights from the 1950s. Very nice original condition with patina on the brass and minimal wear to the original lacquer. One original brass E27 socket wit...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- Large J.T. Kalmar Textured Glass Pendant, circa 1950By Venini, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATLarge textured glass and brass pendant by J.T. Kalmar, circa 1950. Made from a single sheet of textured glass which is 'curled' into a large, slightly organic, cylinder. One original...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Long Wall Light by J.T. Kalmar, 1950sBy Venini, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATLong wall lights by J.T. Kalmar from the 1950s. White enameled base with a single curved 'water-ripple' glass. Three original E14 sockets. Two pieces ava...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Pair of French Modernist Wall Lights, circa 1960, Satin Glass and BrassBy Arlus, StilnovoLocated in Vienna, ATRare pair of French two-arm wall lights from the 1950-1960s. A Minimalist brass and lacquered structure with two satin glass diffusers and polished brass shades. Brass and ceramic E1...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsSteel, Brass
- J.T. Kalmar Textured Glass Pendant, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATClassic 1950s J.T. Kalmar pendant with 'water-ripple' textured glass. Very good original condition with some light patina on the brass elements. One original brass E27 socket with ne...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Large Italian Brass Wall Lights, circa 1980By StilnovoLocated in Vienna, ATFine pair of large Italian brass wall lights in the manner of Stilnovo. Large brass-plated steel backplate with a central perforated brass dome in the center, under which the two lig...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Pair of J.T. Kalmar Sconces Wall Lights, Brass Textured Glass, 1960By J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of nice textured glass and brass wall lamps by J. T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s or early 1960s). A sold brass backplate holds...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of J.T. Kalmar Midcentury Wall Lights, Textured Glass and BrassBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, AustriaA pair of Kalmar mid century wall lights, that are made up of textured ice glass, that has been elegantly mounted to a brass base with two brass knobs. These lamps were produced in ...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Large Kalmar Textured Glass and Brass Sconces Wall Lights, 1960By J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of large textured glass and brass wall lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s-early 1960s). A single piece of angled clear glass i...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of Kalmar Textured Glass Sconces Wall Lights, circa 1960By J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of textured glass wall lamps by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s or early 1960s). Two half round curved glasses are mounted with cone ...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Large Kalmar Textured Glass Sconces Wall Lights, 1960By J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of large box textured glass wall lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s-early 1960s). Light bulbs are not included. It is possible...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Thick Textured Glass and Brass Wall Lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1960By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Rijssen, NLPair of wall light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in circa 1960. The glass shows a beautiful ice-like texture, whic...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Post-Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
