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.
J.T.Kalmar Ceiling Lamps Vienna Late 1960s '10 Pieces' 'Marked'
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Wien, Au
J.T. Kalmar ceiling lamps, Vienna, late 1960s (10 Pieces) Original glasses Price and sell per piece.
Aluminum
One of Two Kalmar Flush Mount Light Fixtures Swirl 'Citrus', 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of two very 'Citrus' flush mount lights / ceiling lamps by Kalmar, Vienna, Austria. They are made of a golden lacquered metal base which holds four swirled and frosted glasses. E...
Metal
Pair of Kalmar Sconces Flush Mount Lights 'RS 6 WA', Glass Brass, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of large six-arm wall lamps or flush mount light fixtures model 'RS 6 WA' by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury in 1970s. The fixtures are made of polished bras...
Aluminum
1 of 2 Large Murano Ice Glass Flushmount by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning large flushmount by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in the 1960s. The flush mount is composed of 13 thick textured ice glass elements attached to a brass metal frame. Wonder...
Brass
1 of 3 Large Tulipan Glass Flush Mount or Chandelier by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
1 of 3 Wonderful onion-shaped -Tulipan glass chandelier or flush mount. A large number of hand-blown glasses were suspended on a white painted metal frame and brass canopy. Best of d...
Brass
1 of 3 Murano Glass Flushmount by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning flush mount light by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in the 1960s. The flush mount is composed of five thick textured Murano glass elements attached to a white metal frame. ...
Metal
Lovely Heavy Vintage Ice Glass Flush Mount from Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
This large flush mount was produced in Austria by Kalmar in the 1960s. It is composed of 12 thick textured ice glass elements attached to a white frame and uses four E27 bulbs.
Glass
Large Murano Ice Glass Flush Mount by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning large flush mount by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in the 1960s. The flush mount is composed of a 5 thick textured ice glass elements attached to a brass frame. Wonderfu...
Brass
One of Two Modulare Kalmar Flush Mount Lights or Sconces, Brass Ice Glass, 1960s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of two modulare and square light fixtures model 'Cubus' (German 'Würfel') by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (end of 1960s and beginning of 1970s). They are made of polished brass and frosted cubic glass...
Brass
Hollywood Regency Ice Glass Ceiling Light, J. T. Kalmar Lights, Austria, 1950s
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: ceiling light, flushmount Producer: Kalmar Franken KG, Austria Design: J.T. Kalmar Age: 1950s Original modernist Hollywood Regency glass ceiling light. High quali...
Metal
Large Kalmar Ice Glass Flushmount, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
A wonderful round ice glass flushmount, by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s. Thickly textured Ice glass fixture on a white metal base. High quality and in perfect condition. Cleaned, we...
Murano Glass
1 of the 2 Brass and Glass Flush Mounts by J.T. Kalmar, 1960
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 high quality brass flush mounts with 7 beautiful thick textured hand blown textured clear melting glass panels. Mounted on a polished solid brass flush mount...
Brass
1 of 2 Large Kalmar Square Flushmount Murano Organic Glass, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
Large square flushmount ceiling light with brass backplate and hand blown Murano glass in ice melted shape by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s. High quality of materials. Sockets: Six x E27 s...
Brass
One of Two J.T. Kalmar Franken Brown and Clear Flush Mounts Wall Lights, 1960
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Rijssen, NL
A rare pair of flush mounts /wall lights, gorgeous and stylish, manufactured by Kalmar Franken, Austria, 1960s. With a handcrafted thick ice glass plate attached to the center. With ...
Metal, Brass
Kalmar "Palazzo" Ice Crystal Glass Wall Light or Sconce 'Rare New Old Stock'
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Exceptionally rare, 'new old stock' vintage Mid-Century Modern Austrian made 'Palazzo' ice crystal glass wall sconce or lamp by Kalmar, circa 1960. Featuring three hanging glass elem...
Gold Plate, Brass
Kalmar Large "Palazzo" Ice Crystal Glass & Gilt Brass Chandelier Austria, 1970s
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Austrian made 'Palazzo' ice crystal glass chandelier by Kalmar, circa 1970. Featuring twenty-six hanging glass elements resembling melting ice crystals suspended from a 24-karat gold...
Gold Plate, Brass
Large Murano Ice Glass Flush Mount by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning large flush mount by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in the 1960s. The flush mount is composed of a 5 thick textured ice glass elements attached to a brass frame. Wonderfu...
Brass
1of 2 Large Kalmar Flush Mount Lights, Austria, 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
1 of 2 large flushmount lights designed by Kalmar, Austria, 1970s Wonderful large organic Murano glass / bi-colored clear and amber/smoked. H...
Murano Glass
1 of the 2 Massive Textured Glass Flush Mount or Wall Light by Kalmar, 1960
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
A high quality modern thick textured ice glass flush mount light by Kalmar, circa 1965. The flush mount is featuring a huge quare brown marbled blown ice glass dish. The handmade dis...
Brass
Kalmar Flush Mount Light, Polished Chrome & Glass Shades, Austria 1970
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Bronx, NY
Kalmar polished chrome flush mount, Austria, 1970 consisting of a chrome plate with eight individual hollow glass shades which has one socket each for a candelabra bulb. Rewired read...
Chrome
"Pagoda" Chandelier by J.T.Kalmar, Nickel and Glass, Austria, circa 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A midcentury "Pagoda" glass chandelier by J.T.Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, circa 1970s. This rare model of is made of nickeled brass and pagoda glass pattern. Socket: 6 x Edison base (...
Metal, Brass, Nickel
1 of the 6 Kalmar "Palazzo" Light Fixtures Brass and Glass, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 6 Stunning high quality and handmade gilt brass light fixture / flush mount made by Kalmar in Austria. This model "Palazzo" was manufactured, circa 1970-1979. Large polished...
Brass
Kalmar Large "Palazzo" Ice Crystal Glass & Gilt Brass Chandelier Austria, 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Vintage Miid-Century Modern Austrian made 'Palazzo' ice crystal glass chandelier by Kalmar, circa 1970. Featuring twenty-six hanging glass elements resembling melting ice crystals su...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass
$6,000Sale Price|42% Off
Dazzling Mid-Century Austrian Gilt Brass and Crystal Chandelier
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Danville, CA
Large and Dramatic Gilt Brass Chandelier festooned with large faceted Baguette Crystals on a gold plated brass frame. A top quality piece. Can be adapted for use as a semi-flush pe...
Crystal, Brass
Large Kalmar Sconce Flush Mount Lights 'RS 6 WA' Glass Aluminum 1970, 1 of 3
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of three six-arm wall lamps or flush mount light fixtures model 'RS 6 WA' by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury in 1970s. Each light is made of polished aluminum and 6 handblown bubble glass lamp shades with a diameter of 4.7 inch (12 cm) per shade. Each fixture takes six E14 candelabra screw base 40W maximum bulbs or LEDs. Light bulbs are not included. It is possible to install this fixture in all countries (US, UK, Europe, Asia, Canada,) although it may be necessary to purchase different light bulbs suitable to local electricity. It also can be used with a dimmer. They can by mounted in many different ways: with horizontally or vertically oriented arms and on walls or ceilings. The lights are documented in the Kalmar catalogue from 1973. The price is per fixture. They will be sold individually, as pair or as set of three lamps...
Aluminum
Six Modulare Square Kalmar 'Cubus' Flush Mount Lights or Sconces, Austria, 1970s
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
One of six modulare and square light fixtures model 'Cubus' (German 'Würfel') by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). They are made of polished stainless chromium steel and frosted cubic glasses...
Chrome
Kalmar Glass Flush Mount with Brass Centre, Vienna, Austria, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Bronx, NY
Flush mount by Kalmar Vienna, Austria, 1970. Round diffuser dome shaped glass that is organically shaped wavy, four Edison sockets. The glass has structure to it, in the centre a la...
Brass
Murano & Brass Ceiling Lamp by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By AVMazzega, Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Brussel, BE
Beautiful ceiling lamp, flush-mounted, made of eight pieces of curved clear Murano glass with dark cloud (which was probably made by Mazzega’s masters), suspended to a mirror-polishe...
Metal, Brass
Kalmar Chandelier, Austria, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Bronx, NY
Kalmar chandelier, Vienna Austria, 1970. Chrome frame with three thick large ice looking glass elements with a European centre socket. Glass is in excellent condition high quality Ka...
Metal, Brass
Hollywood Regency Ice Glass Sconce or Flush Mount by Kalmar
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Sophistication pur sang, this sconce or flush mount by Kalmar. The wave shaped ice glass is a pleasure for the eye. Moreover the light coming from it really warm. The fixture has ...
Glass
Large Kalmar Ice Glass Flush Mount, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
A wonderful round ice glass flush mount, by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s. Thickly textured Ice glass fixture on a white metal base. High quality and in perfect condition. Cleaned, w...
Murano Glass
Large Kalmar Square Flushmount Murano Organic Glass, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
Large square flushmount ceiling light with brass backplate and hand blown Murano glass in ice melted shape by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s. High quality o...
Brass
Large Murano Ice Glass Flushmount by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
A stunning large flushmount by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in the 1960s. The flush mount is composed of 13 thick textured ice glass elements attached to a brass metal frame. Wond...
Brass
Large Kalmar Square Flush Mount Murano Organic Glass, Austria, 1960s
By Kalmar Lighting
Located in Aachen, NRW
Large square flush mount ceiling light with brass backplate and hand blown Murano glass in ice melted shape by Kalmar, Austria, 1960s. High quality of materi...
Brass
Kalmar Two Tier Chandelier by J.T. Kalmar, Crystal & Amber Glass, 1970
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Bronx, NY
Kalmar chandelier, Vienna, Austria, 1970. Citrus was a design line Kalmar produced in the 1970s each glass is a thick heavy clear glass with a blend in of smokey glass Desirable two tier chandelier consisting of two rows of heavy thick pressed crystal pieces in a mix of clear and amber that works as a shade, this Kalmar Franken chandelier...
Metal
Kalmar Granada Cascade Glass Chandelier, Chrome & Textured Glass, 1960
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Bronx, NY
Kalmar Granada cascade glass chandelier by Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, 1960 Five individual glass elements with a chrome finial, the glass has texture that gives the impression of ice, ...
Metal
Kalmar Glass Lantern, Austria, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Bronx, NY
Kalmar lantern, Vienna, Austria, 1970. Chrome frame with three thick large ice looking glass elements with an Edison centre socket. Glass is in excellent condition high quality Kal...
Metal, Brass
Large Dome Shaped Kalmar Flush Mount on a Brass Base, 1980
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Bronx, NY
Large dome shaped Kalmar Flush Mount on a brass base, 1980 Round clear glass diffuser dome shaped thick and heavy glass that is smooth on the outside and matte on the inside hold by ...
Brass