Kalmar Sputnik Chandelier Atomic Pendant in Glass and Chrome, 1960s
View Similar Items
Kalmar Sputnik Chandelier Atomic Pendant in Glass and Chrome, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 47.25 in (120 cm)Diameter: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good condition.
- Seller Location:Frankfurt / Dreieich, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU98082258242
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.
- Kalmar Atomic Ceiling Lamps Chandeliers, 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Wien, ATKalmar atomic ceiling lamps chandeliers, 1960s designed and executed by Kalmar Vienna in 1969. Made of nickel-plated metal with nice ball lampsha...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsNickel
- J. T. Kalmar Atomic Sputnik Chandelier, Space-Age Ceiling Lamp, Brass, 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA stunning Midcentury sputnik pendant light from the late 1960s, designed and executed by Kalmar Austria. An impressive piece, made of brass, in very good condition. This sculptural ...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Space Age Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Kalmar Ice Glass Pendant Chandelier, 1960sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Barcelona, ESIce glass Kalmar chandelier. Attributed to J.T. Kalmar and Kalmar Lighting, Austria, 1960s. It holds four pieces of textured ice glass blocks hanging from a chain and topped by a metal canopy...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- Large Kalmar Chandelier Pendant Light Sputnik Atomic 43-Arms Glass Aluminum 1970By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATAn extra large 43-arm atomic chandelier/pendant light model "RS 43 Kugel HL" by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (at the end of 1960s and beginning of 1970s.) ...Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome, Nickel
- 1 (of 2) 1960s Kalmar Drum Chandelier Tubular Glass & ChromeBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenElegant drum shaped chandelier with textured crystal glass tubes on a chromed frame designed by J.T. Kalmar in Vienna. Chandelier illuminates beautifully and offers a lot of light. E...Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
$2,900 Sale Price / item23% Off - Sische Glass and Chrome Chandelier, 1960s Modernist Design, Kalmar StyleBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Rijssen, NLThis ceiling light was designed by Simon and Schelle, featuring a rectangular chrome base and four massive glasses in the shape of a four lobed flowe...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass