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Kalmar Lighting

Austrian

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 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, Julius 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 Opera, the Burgtheater, Vienna stock exchange and other sites.

Under the guidance of Rudolf Calice, Julius Theodor 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 Kalmar lighting that includes wall lights, floor lamps and other fixtures.

Average Sold Price
$2,908
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Austrian Mid-Century Set of Four Murano "Citrus" Wall Sconces by Kalmar, 1970s
Austrian Mid-Century Set of Four Murano "Citrus" Wall Sconces by Kalmar, 1970s

Austrian Mid-Century Set of Four Murano "Citrus" Wall Sconces by Kalmar, 1970s

By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar

Located in Badajoz, Badajoz

Beauty, stunning and unique Set of Four Austrian Mid-Century "Kalmar" Wall Sconces, model "Citrus" 4663/2. These Sconces were designed and manufactured during the 1970s in Austria by...

Category

1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kalmar Lighting

Materials

Metal

1 of 2 Tronchi Murano Glass Flush mount light by Venini for Kalmar, Austria, 60s
1 of 2 Tronchi Murano Glass Flush mount light by Venini for Kalmar, Austria, 60s

1 of 2 Tronchi Murano Glass Flush mount light by Venini for Kalmar, Austria, 60s

By Venini, Kalmar Lighting

Located in Aachen, NRW

Stunning Murano glass chandelier designed by Venini for Kalmar, 1960s Two tiers gather many structured glasses, beautifully refracting the light very heavy quality. High quality and...

Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kalmar Lighting

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Chandelier Pendant Light Kalmar 'Tulipan', Glass Brass, 1970
Mid-Century Modern Chandelier Pendant Light Kalmar 'Tulipan', Glass Brass, 1970

Mid-Century Modern Chandelier Pendant Light Kalmar 'Tulipan', Glass Brass, 1970

By Kalmar Lighting, Orrefors, J.T. Kalmar, Mazzega, Venini

Located in Hausmannstätten, AT

A fantastic light fixture model Tulipan by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). The name Tulipan derives from the tulip s...

Category

1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kalmar Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

1 of 2 Large Kalmar Murano Glass Sconces Wall Lights Citrus, Austria, 1960s
1 of 2 Large Kalmar Murano Glass Sconces Wall Lights Citrus, Austria, 1960s

1 of 2 Large Kalmar Murano Glass Sconces Wall Lights Citrus, Austria, 1960s

By Kalmar Lighting

Located in Aachen, NRW

1 of 2 Wonderful of mid-century wall sconces with large Murano glass piece in each lamp, made by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured, circa 1960-1969. Each sconce needs 2 x E14 small bulb...

Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kalmar Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

1 of 3 Large Murano Kalmar Sconces Wall Lights, Austria, 1960s
1 of 3 Large Murano Kalmar Sconces Wall Lights, Austria, 1960s

1 of 3 Large Murano Kalmar Sconces Wall Lights, Austria, 1960s

By Kalmar Lighting

Located in Aachen, NRW

1 of 3 Wonderful mid-century wall sconces with a large Murano glass piece on a brass frame, made by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured circa 1960-1969. High quality and in very good cond...

Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kalmar Lighting

Materials

Brass

1 of 2 Huge Kalmar Ice Glass Flush Mount, Austria, 1960s
1 of 2 Huge Kalmar Ice Glass Flush Mount, Austria, 1960s

1 of 2 Huge Kalmar Ice Glass Flush Mount, Austria, 1960s

$2,557 / item

H 4.34 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in

1 of 2 Huge Kalmar Ice Glass Flush Mount, Austria, 1960s

By Kalmar Lighting

Located in Aachen, NRW

Stunning huge flush mounts by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in the 1960s. Each flush mount is composed of nine-thick textured glass elements attached to a white metal frame. Heavy q...

Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kalmar Lighting

Materials

Metal

Kalmar 'Tulipan' Flush Mount Light Chandelier, Glass Brass White Metal, 1970s
Kalmar 'Tulipan' Flush Mount Light Chandelier, Glass Brass White Metal, 1970s

Kalmar 'Tulipan' Flush Mount Light Chandelier, Glass Brass White Metal, 1970s

By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar, Venini, Mazzega, Fontana Arte

Located in Hausmannstätten, AT

A flush mount light fixture model 'Tulipan' by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970, (late 1960s-early 1970s). The name Tulipan derives from the tulip...

Category

1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kalmar Lighting

Materials

Brass, Metal

Pair of Austrian Vintage Sculptural Murano Glass Wall Light Sconce by Kalmar 60s
Pair of Austrian Vintage Sculptural Murano Glass Wall Light Sconce by Kalmar 60s

Pair of Austrian Vintage Sculptural Murano Glass Wall Light Sconce by Kalmar 60s

By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar, Mazzega, Carlo Nason

Located in Berlin, DE

Pair of organic clear blown Murano glass sconce by J.T. Kalmar. Austria, 1960s.

Category

1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Kalmar Lighting

Materials

Metal

Browse all Furniture from Kalmar Lighting
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Kalmar Lighting Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2026$2,000Chandeliers and PendantsMurano Glass1970-1979
2026$2,000More Lighting, Wall Lights and SconcesMetal, Murano Glass, Brass1970
2026$1,232Flush MountMetal, Murano Glass1960-1969
2026$525Wall Lights and SconcesMurano Glass1960-1969
2026$3,800Wall Lights and SconcesBrass, Murano Glass1970-1979
2026$2,231Wall Lights and Sconces, More LightingMetal, Murano Glass, Brass1970
2026$1,548Flush MountBrass, Glass, Opaline Glass1960
2026$1,548Flush MountBrass, Glass, Opaline Glass1960
2026$760Wall Lights and SconcesMurano Glass1960-1969
2026$2,537Wall Lights and SconcesMurano Glass1960-1969
2026$1,500Chandeliers and PendantsBrass, Murano Glass1960-1969
2026$1,700Wall Lights and Sconces, More LightingMetal, Murano Glass, Brass1970
2026$1,850Chandeliers and PendantsMurano Glass1970-1979
2026$2,487Flush MountBrass, Murano Glass1960-1969
2026$1,400Wall Lights and SconcesMurano Glass1960-1969
2026$2,730Flush MountGlass, Brass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass1970s
2026$443Wall Lights and SconcesBrass, Glass1960s
2026$3,965Chandeliers and PendantsBrass, Metal1950s
2026$1,276Chandeliers and PendantsMurano Glass1970-1979
2026$3,595Flush MountMetal, Brass, Glass1970
$2,908
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$145-$17,800
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Kalmar Lighting

Kalmar Lighting furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Kalmar Lighting furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Kalmar Lighting furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 820 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 5 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Kalmar Lighting 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 Rupert Nikoll, J.T. Kalmar, and Emil Stejnar. Prices for Kalmar Lighting furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $245 and can go as high as $39,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,281.