Large J.T. Kalmar Chandelier, 1940s, Josef Frank
View Similar Items
Large J.T. Kalmar Chandelier, 1940s, Josef Frank
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Attributed to:Josef Frank (Designer)
- Similar to:Hans-Agne Jakobsson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 52.37 in (133 cm)Diameter: 29.93 in (76 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Rewired: New wiring to original brass and ceramic E27 sockets. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1065018290522
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 Cone Chandelier, 1950sBy Stilnovo, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATRare counter-weight chandelier by J.T. Kalmar, circa 1950. Four brass arms, each with a large Dual-cone shade with new hand-printed fabric. Each arm has one E27 socket pointing down ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- J.T. Kalmar Two-Tiered Glass Chandelier, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATVery nice J.T. Kalmar textured glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. Suspended from brass hardware and held in place by nickelled knobs are two tiers...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Nickel
- Large J.T. Kalmar Glass Ceiling Light, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATImpressive J.T. Kalmar ceiling light from the 1950s. A large textured glass disc is surrounded by pentagonal texturde glass elements held by nickeled brass elements. Eight original n...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel, Nickel
- Large J.T. Kalmar Textured Glass Pendant, circa 1950By J.T. Kalmar, VeniniLocated in Vienna, ATLarge textured glass and brass pendant by J.T. Kalmar, circa 1950. Made from a single sheet of textured glass which is 'curled' into a large, slightly organic, cylinder. One original...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Textured Glass Pendant, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATClassic 1950s J.T. Kalmar pendant with 'water-ripple' textured glass. Very good original condition with some light patina on the brass elements. One original brass E27 socket with ne...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Large Brass Chandelier with Enameled Glass Shades, 1940sLocated in Vienna, ATLarge eight-arm brass chandelier with enameled glass diffusers from the 1940s. Elegantly curved brass arms with a nicely styled centerpiece. The blown glass diffusers are enameled on...Category
Vintage 1940s German Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Large J.T. Kalmar Chandelier by Josef FrankBy J.T. Kalmar, Josef FrankLocated in Vienna, ATLarge brass frame with nine arms in two tiers each fitted with E27 porcelain sockets each with silk shades. Designed by Josef Frank in the 1930s for J.T. Kalmar produced in the 1940s...Category
Vintage 1940s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Brass Chandelier by Josef Frank for KalmarBy Josef Frank, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATBrass construction with six arm and silk shades fitted each with E27 sockets, designed by Josef Frank in the 1930s for Kalmar Vienna. This one was produced in the 1950s. The brass pa...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Josef Frank J.T. Kalmar Brass Bamboo Table Lamp 'Tisch-Überall', 1940s, AustriaBy Josef Frank, J.T. Kalmar, Haus & GartenLocated in Biebergemund, HessenImportant & rare, early 1940s 'Tisch Überall' table lamp mod. 1092, designed by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten and manufactured by J.T. Kalmar, handmade in the Viennese Modern...Category
Vintage 1940s Austrian Vienna Secession Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Josef Frank Six Light Brass Chandelier, Viennese Modern Age, 1940s, AustriaBy Haus & Garten, J.T. Kalmar, Josef FrankLocated in Biebergemund, HessenBeautiful Josef Frank J.T. Kalmar (attr.) Viennese Modern Age brass chandelier. Josef Frank was one of the founders of Viennese Modern, together with A...Category
Vintage 1940s Austrian Vienna Secession Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Rare Eight Arms Chandelier by Josef Frank for KalmarBy Josef Frank, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATBrass construction with 8 arm and silk shades fitted each with E27 sockets, designed by Josef Frank in the 1930s for Kalmar Vienna. This one was produced in the 1950s. The brass part...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Large Palazzo Ice Glass Chandelier by J.T. KalmarBy Palwa, J.T. Kalmar, Doria Leuchten Germany, Hans-Agne JakobssonLocated in München, DEWonderful and large ice glass chandelier from the 1960s. The 42 beautifully shaped Murano glass elements create an impressive, sparkling play of light. Exceptionally high-quality w...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal