J. T. Kalmar "Pelikan" Floor Lamp, 1950s
View Similar Items
J. T. Kalmar "Pelikan" Floor Lamp, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 72.05 in (183 cm)Width: 25.6 in (65 cm)Length: 72.05 in (183 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. Newer wiring.
- Seller Location:Stockholm, SE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5488221741852
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.
- Kai Ruokonen Floor Lamp in Brass for Orno Oy, Finland, 1970sBy Orno Oy, Kari RuokonenLocated in Stockholm, SERare floor lamp in brass designed by Kai Ruokonen and produced by Orno Oy in Finland early 1970s. Two lamps available and both are in original condition and showing beautiful patina ...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
Sold$13,733 / item - Early Mid Century L4 Isamu Noguchi Floor Lamp Produced by Ozeki & Co Japan 1950sBy Isamu Noguchi, Ozeki & Co. Ltd. 1Located in Stockholm, SEVery rare and early mid century floor lamp model "L4" in washi paper, metal and iron by Isamu Noguchi produced by by Ozeki & Co, Japan 1950s. In great original condition without any ...Category
Vintage 1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Iron
- Serge Mouille "Agrafée" Mid-Century Desk Table Lamp Produced in France, 1950sBy Serge MouilleLocated in Stockholm, SEVery rare "Agrafée Deux Rotules" mid-century desk / table lamp designed by Serge Mouille produced in France during the 1950s. In good vintage condition with signs and patina from age...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Greta Magnusson Grossman "Grasshopper / G-33" Lamp in Grey for Bergboms, 1950sBy Bergboms, Greta Magnusson GrossmanLocated in Stockholm, SERare "Grasshopper / G-33" lamp in light grey designed by Greta Magnusson Grossman and produced by Bergboms, Sweden in the 1950s. The lamp is in original condition with patina and sig...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Greta Magnusson Grossman "Grasshopper / G-33" Lamp in Grey for Bergboms, 1950sBy Bergboms, Greta Magnusson GrossmanLocated in Stockholm, SERare "Grasshopper / G-33" lamp in light grey color designed by Greta Magnusson Grossman and produced by Bergboms, Sweden in the 1950s. The lamp is in original condition with patina a...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Mid-Century Desk Table Lamps in Marble Produced in Sweden, 1950sLocated in Stockholm, SERare pair of table desk lamps in solid marble designed by unknown designer and probably produced in Sweden in the 1950s. In good vintage condi...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMarble
- J. T. Kalmar 1950s 'Pelikan' Floor LightBy J.T. KalmarLocated in London, GBAn iconic 'Pelikan' floor lamp by the Austrian designer Julius Theodor Kalmar and produced in Vienna, Austria. The architectural form is crafted of bra...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- 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
- J.T. Kalmar, "Pelikan" Floor Lamp, Brass, Metal, Fabric, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in High Point, NCA metal, brass and fabric floor lamp designed and produced by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1950s. Variable dimensions, measured as illustrated in the first image. Sold with Lampshade. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Josef Frank Adjustable Floor Lamp 'Neolift' by J.T. Kalmar, Brass Wood, 1950sBy Haus und Garten, Josef Frank, J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA gorgeous and rare foor lamp model 'Neolift' model no. 2018 designed by Josef Frank ca. 1930 for Haus & Garten. The offered piece was manufactured by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, in midcent...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Kalmar Floor Lamp, circa 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Wien, ATKalmar floor lamp, circa 1950s Original condition Shade is replaced (new).Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- 1950s Stilnovo Floor LampBy StilnovoLocated in New York, NYDramatic 1950s stilnovo floor lamp with extra large yellow glass shade with brass cap and black patinated base with brass detailing. Striking piece!...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Floor Lamps
MaterialsGlass