Beautiful Midcentury Kalmar Dornstab Floor Lamp Brass, Wood, Austria, 1950s
View Similar Items
Beautiful Midcentury Kalmar Dornstab Floor Lamp Brass, Wood, Austria, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Kalmar Lighting (Manufacturer),J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 60 in (152.4 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU101521259540
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 Lighting
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 2x Dornstab Adjustable Floor Lamp, Brass, Walnut, Austria, 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATUp to two beautiful "Dornstab" floor lamps, we offer an identical one in our other listing. Designed and executed by J.T. Kalmar Vienna Austria. The conical lampshade is adjustable t...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar 2x Dornstab Adjustable Floor Lamp, Brass, Walnut, Austria, 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATUp to two beautiful "Dornstab" floor lamps, we offer an identical one in our other listing. Designed and executed by J.T. Kalmar Vienna Austria. The conical lampshade is adjustable t...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Micheline Floor Lamp with Brass Tripod Base, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATAn elegant minimalistic mid-century modern floorlamp, model "Micheline“, model no. 2092 from the 1950s. Designed and manufactured by J.T. Kalmar Austria in Vienna. Has a beautiful polished tripod base made of brass and a blackened brass tube metal stem. Comes with a professionally refurbished red lampshade...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Kalmar Vienna Brass Lantern Midcentury Pendant Lamp, Austria, 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA unusual and beautiful modernist lantern / pendant Light, manufactured by Kalmar Vienna in the early 1950s. An uncommon piece, its frame is made of black iron, it has a satined crac...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
MaterialsBrass, Iron, Wire
- A Kalmar Midcentury Height-Adjustable Counterweight Pendant Lamp, Austria, 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful midcentury height-adjustable pendant light Kalmar model 2520 with a counterweight, a nice leather-covered handle and a zylindric pastel green lampshade...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- One Kalmar Midcentury Brass & Textured Glass Scone Wall Light, Austria, 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA single beautiful brass wall light with a lampshade made of solid textured melting ice glass with nice knobs. Manufactured by J. T. Kalmar Vienna in the 1950s. In very good conditio...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Oak & Brass 'Dornstab' Floor Lamp by J.T. Kalmar, AustriaBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Utrecht, NLContemporary edition of J.T. Kalmar's iconic and high end made 'Dornstab' design from 1947 in solid oak with polished brass base and a silk fabric lamp shade. All new. Made at original manufacturer Kalmar Werkstätten...Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Dornstab Floor Lamp, Austria, 1950By J.T. KalmarLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantVery nice shaped floor lamp by J.T. Kalmar and manufactured by Kalmar, Austria 1950. This floor lamp has a teak frame and brass foot, it has a gold colored paper shade which is adjus...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Midcentury Brass Tripod Floor Lamp, 1950s, AustriaBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Biebergemund, HessenSimple and elegant midcentury floor lamp by J.T. Kalmar made in 50s Vienna. The lamp is made of brass tube and has a polished brass tripod base. The big shade provides a smooth large...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- 'Dornstab' Floor Lamp by J.T. KalmarBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Utrecht, NLAll new, contemporary edition of J.T. Kalmar's iconic 'Dornstab' design from 1947 in exclusive hardwood (Paul Ferro) or Wenge & bronzed brass base with silk fabric lamp shade. Made a...Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
$5,967 / item - Kalmar Floor Lamp, circa 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATKalmar floor lamp, circa 1950s Original condition Shade is replaced (new).Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar, "Pelikan" Floor Lamp, Metal, Brass, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in High Point, NCA metal and brass floor lamp, "Pelikan" model, designed and produced by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1950s. Variable dimensions, measured as illustrated in the first image.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass