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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.

Average Sold Price
$2,830
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Two Kalmar Chandeliers Palazzo Gilt Brass and Glass Austria, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two very exquisit 24-carat gold-plated brass and clear brillant glass light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s and early 197...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Hollywood Regency J.T. Kalmar

Materials

Brass

Large J.T. Kalmar Chandelier by Josef Frank
By J.T. Kalmar, Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Large 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

1940s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage J.T. Kalmar

Materials

Brass

1 of the 4 of Kalmar Ice Glass Wall Sconces by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 4 elegant modern wall lights or sconces, manufactured by J.T. Kalmar Austria in the 1970s. Lovely design, executed to a very high standard. Each wall light as solid ice glas...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage J.T. Kalmar

Materials

Chrome

Pair J.T. Kalmar Brass & Textured Glass Mid-Century Table Lamps, Austria, 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of lovely brass and glass table / side / nightstand lamps from the 1950s, manufactured by J.T. Kalmar Vienna Austria. They have nice brass bases with four legs and brass knobs...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern J.T. Kalmar

Materials

Brass

J.T. Kalmar Square Midcentury Textured Glass Flush Mount , Sconce, Vienna, 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful lamp from the 1950s, made by Kalmar Vienna Austria. To be uses as a flush mount or sconce. A charming lamp, made of solid textured glass on a white painted metal frame. H...
Category

20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern J.T. Kalmar

Materials

Metal

Pair Large J.T. Kalmar Frankenberg Ice Glass Table Lamps with Illuminated Bases
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of beautiful and large table or side lamps, model nr. 1359 called „Frankenberg", manufactured in the 1970s by Kalmar Vienna, Austria. The lamps have wonderful hand blown illum...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern J.T. Kalmar

Materials

Brass

J.T. Kalmar Spider Brass Flush Mount Lamp Chandelier Refurbished, Austria 1950
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Vienna, AT
J.T. Kalmar Spider Brass Flush Mount Lamp Chandelier Stella, Austria 1950 Rare 33" chandelier called Stella designed by J.T Kalmar Vienna in the 1950s. ...
Category

1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage J.T. Kalmar

Materials

Brass

1 'of 2' Pair of J.T. Kalmar Wall Sconces Multicolor Murano 1960 Vienna, Austria
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant pair of multicolored Murano glass wall lights designed by J.T. Kalmar made of textured clear glass elements with blue, smoke, amber and clear tinting suspended on a white lacquered nickel...
Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage J.T. Kalmar

Materials

Metal

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J.t. Kalmar furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

J.T. Kalmar furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of J.T. Kalmar furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 981 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by J.T. Kalmar were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Kalmar Lighting, Emil Stejnar, and Rupert Nikoll. Prices for J.T. Kalmar furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £222 and can go as high as £53,402, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £2,027.

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