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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.

J.T. Kalmar, Pelikan, Floor Lamp, Brass, Metal, Fabric, Austria, 1950s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered metal, brass, plastic band and fabric floor lamp designed and produced by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 62"H x 15"W x 27"D Bulb Speci...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Large & Marvelous Shape Austria Kalmar Chandelier Iced Murano Glass & Nickel
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Lisse, NL
Large Mid-Century Kalmar Chandelier with Iced Murano Glass and Nickel, Austria/Italy, 1960s. This stunning Mid-Century chandelier, attributed to Kalmar, is a rare find from the 1960...
Category

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

Materials

Nickel, Wire

1 of the 8 of Large Tulipan Wall Lamps or Sconces by J.T. Kalmar 'H 21.2', 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 8 unique elegant 'Tulipan' glass wall sconces by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s-early 1970s). With tulip shaped hand blown ...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Extra Large J.T. Kalmar Wall Lights Smoked Glass, 1970
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Rijssen, NL
XL Smoked glass wall lamps from the 1960s. Spectaculair  design and  high quality workmanship. The light illuminates lovely due to the  smoked and structured glass, it creates a spec...
Category

Early 1600s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Antique J.T. Kalmar

Materials

Metal

Pair of Extra Large J.T. Kalmar Wall Lights Smoked Glass, 1970
Pair of Extra Large J.T. Kalmar Wall Lights Smoked Glass, 1970
$5,252 / set
H 7.88 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
Textured Glass Wall Lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of the four light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in circa 1960. The glass shows a beautiful wave texture, which gives a diffuse light effect and a nice pa...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Textured Glass Wall Lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
Textured Glass Wall Lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
$1,174 / item
H 9.06 in W 5.52 in D 3.55 in
1 of the 6 of Glass and Brass Light Fixtures Designed by J.T Kalmar, 1960
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 6 of light fixtures designed by J.T Kalmar, manufactured by Kalmar Franken, Austria in the 1960s. High-end and handmade design from the 20th century. The large squares of wh...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Steel

Rare Counterweight Silk Pendant Light Chandelier by Josef Frank
By J.T. Kalmar, Frank Josef
Located in Vienna, AT
Large height adjustable brass counter balance pendant. Design by Josef Frank manufactured in the 1930s and Fitted with three + three E27 sockets. The lamp is fully restored with new...
Category

1930s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage J.T. Kalmar

Materials

Brass

Brass and Hand Blown Murano Glass Wall Lights by J.T. Kalmar, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
High-end wall sconces made of blown clear and opal Murano glass on a messing hardware. Designed and produced by J.T. Kalmar, Austria in the 1960s. Minimalistic design executed with a...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Browse all Furniture from J.T. Kalmar
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J.T. Kalmar Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$2,389Wall Lights and SconcesBrass, Blown Glass1960
2025$1,200Wall Lights and Sconces, Flush MountBlown Glass1960s
2025$1,395Wall Lights and SconcesMetal, Glass1960s
2025$1,349Wall Lights and Sconces, Flush MountMetal, Glass1960
2025$1,080Wall Lights and Sconces, Flush MountMetal, Glass1960
2025$6,050Chandeliers and PendantsWood, Brass, Textile, Fabric1930s
2025$2,450More Lighting, Flush MountMurano Glass, Glass, Brass1970
2025$2,450More Lighting, Flush MountMurano Glass, Glass, Brass1970
2025$3,100Chandeliers and PendantsTextile, Fabric, Metal, Brass1960
2025$1,789Wall Lights and SconcesBrass, Blown Glass1960
2025$3,950Chandeliers and Pendants, Flush MountMetal, Brass, Murano Glass, Glass, Art Glass1970s
2025$2,205Flush MountGlass, Chrome1960s
2025$2,000Wall Lights and SconcesBrass, Blown Glass1960
2025$1,988Floor LampsMetal, Brass1950s
2025$1,000Wall Lights and SconcesMurano Glass1960-1964
2025$1,919More Lighting, Wall Lights and SconcesMetal, Murano Glass, Brass1970
2025$705More Lighting, Flush MountMetal, Glass1970s
2025$1,499Flush Mount, Wall Lights and SconcesMurano Glass, Chrome1970-1979
2025$4,421Chandeliers and PendantsBrass, Blown Glass1970
2025$4,700Table Lamps, Floor LampsMurano Glass, Textile, Brass, Blown Glass1970
$3,002
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$78-$16,400
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to J.T. Kalmar

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. 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 $890 and can go as high as $9,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,700.

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