Pendant by J.T. Kalmar, 1950s
View Similar Items
Pendant by J.T. Kalmar, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 57.09 in (145 cm)Diameter: 13.78 in (35 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU117423236182
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.
- Ice Glass Pendant by J.T. KalmarBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATBrass frame nickel-plated with 12 ice glass panels, fitted with one E27 socket, made by J.T. Kalmar in the 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Tulipan Pendant Lamp by J.T. KalmarBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATTulip shaped shade pendant manufactured by J.T. Kalmar in the 1950s in Vienna.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGlass
- Ice Glass Pendant by J.T. KalmarBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATBrass frame painted with six ice glass panels, fitted with one E27 socket, made by J.T. Kalmar in the 1960s. Up to 2 pieces available, price per piece.Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Structured Glass Pendant Chandelier by J.T. KalmarBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATBrass frame fitted with one E27 sockets. Made by J.T. Kalmar in the early 1950s. Used with patina, brass can be cleaned/polished on request without extra costs. Dimension of the gl...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel
- J.T. Kalmar Milk Glass PendantBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATSet of two J.T. Kalmar milk glass pendants from the 1960s. Fitted with one E27 socket. The lenght of the cable is adjustable (shortabeI) now about 200cm. (78.74in) Dimension of t...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
$900 / set - Large Ice Glass J.T. Kalmar PendantBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATJ.T. Kalmar ice glass pendant from 1960's. total lenght 120cm (47.24in) lenght of the lamp only 46cm (18.11in) the rod can be shorted on requ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel
- Pendant by J.T Kalmar, circa 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATPendant by J.T Kalmar, circa 1950s Original glass Polished and stove enameled.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
- Pendant Lamp from J.T. Kalmar, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, AustriaA simple, elegant pendant lamp from J.T. Kalmar. The lamp is composed of an opaline, matte white glass shade attached to a metal structure with 3 brass pins and suspended on a brass still...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
$966 Sale Price34% Off - Two Copper J.T Kalmar Pendants, circa 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATTwo Copper J.T Kalmar Pendants, circa 1950s. Polished and stove enameled.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCopper
$1,757 / set - J.T. Kalmar Cone Chandelier, 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, StilnovoLocated 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 Midcentury Textured Glass and Brass Pendant, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in NUEMBRECHT, NRWThis beautiful midcentury pendant was designed and manufactured in Austria in the 1950s by JT Kalmar. It features a brass body and a textured glass lamp shade. The brass pieces have ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass