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J.T. Kalmar Chandeliers and Pendants

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.

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Color:  White
Creator: J.T. Kalmar
Exceptional Set of 4 Kalmar 'Tulipan' Light Fixtures, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
An exceptional 'Tulipan' set by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in 20th century, circa 1970 (late 1960s-early 1970s). With beautiful Murano Tulipan...
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1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage J.T. Kalmar Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Brass

Counterweight Silk Pendant Light by J.T. Kalmar Designed by Adolf Loos
By J.T. Kalmar, Adolf Loos
Located in Vienna, AT
A height adjustable brass counter balance pendant lamp by J.T. Kalmar manufactured in midcentury in 1950s and designed by Adolf Loos. Fitted with three E27 sockets. The lamp is fully...
Category

1950s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage J.T. Kalmar Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

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J.t. Kalmar chandeliers and pendants for sale on 1stDibs.

J.T. Kalmar chandeliers and pendants 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 chandeliers and pendants, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chandeliers and pendants 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 chandeliers and pendants by Kalmar Lighting, Rupert Nikoll, and Emil Stejnar. Prices for J.T. Kalmar chandeliers and pendants can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $501 and can go as high as $65,353, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,209.

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