J.T. Kalmar Sun Mid-Century Brass Chandelier Ceiling Lamp, Austria, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Diameter: 21 in (53.34 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: LU101523717852
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Vienna, Austria
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Large J.T. Kalmar Sonne Sun Brass Spider Chandelier Flush Mount, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful and large Midcentury sputnik chandelier ceiling lamp from the 1950s, model „Sonne" executed by J.T. Kalmar Vienna in Austria. It ...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Round Mid-Century Brass Textured Glass Flush Mount, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA stunning modernist flush mount lamp / ceiling light from the 1950s by Kalmar Vienna, Austria. This charming light features solid textured glass on a white metal base with a round b...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- J.T. Kalmar Mid-Century Textured Glass Tube Brass Pendant Lamp, Austria, 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful pendant lamp from the 1950s, produced by J.T: Kalmar Vienna. Brass hardware with a tube made of clear, iridescent, textured glass. In very good condition with nice patina...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century J.T. Kalmar Modernist Glass Tube Brass Pendant Lamp, Austria, 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful pendant lamp from the 1950s, produced by J.T. Kalmar Vienna. Brass hardware with a tube made of yellow/amber textured glass. In very g...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Brass Chandelier with Textured Ice Glass, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful brass chandelier by J. T. Kalmar Vienna, Austria, from the 1950s with textured ice glasses on it. White painted base with brass rod and nice brass knobs. In good conditi...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Vienna Round Mid-Century Flush Mount / Ceiling Lamp, Austria, 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful flush mount ceiling lamp from the 1960s, made by J.T. Kalmar Austria. A charming light, made of solid textured glass on a metal base, with a nice brass knob in the center...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- J.T. Kalmar Palazzo Flush Mount Chandelier Gold Brass Glass Lamp, Austria, 1960By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATJ.T. Kalmar Palazzo flush mount chandelier gold brass glass lamp, Austria, 1960. Stunning four-tier 19" Austrian Kalmar chandelier in excellent condit...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGold, Brass
- Large J.T. Kalmar Textured Waved Murano Glass Flush Mount, 1950s, AustriaBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Biebergemund, HessenHuge 21" iconic midcentury ceiling light made by J.T. Kalmar in the late 1950s, Vienna. It's featuring thick Murano textured waved glass and polished brass hardware. It's in excellen...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Flush Mount Chandelier Tulip Murano Glass & Brass, Austria, 1970sBy Carlo Nason, J.T. Kalmar, AVMazzegaLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenElegant flush mount chandelier with 12 clear and white Murano glass elements on brass frame. Manufactured by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria in the 1960s. Design: Carlo Nason attr. Manufacturer: Julius Theodor Kalmar...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
- Austrian Mid-Century Octopus Chandelier Attributed to J.T. Kalmar, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Traversetolo, ITSplendid Austrian mid-century octopus shape chandelier with eight lights in E14 format, attributed to J.T. Kalmar, produced in the 1950s. The octopus chandelier...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar 18" Cubist Flush Mount Chandelier Brass & Ice Glass, Austria 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenElegant flush mount ceiling light with 13 ice glass cubes on a golden brass frame. Manufactured by J.T. Kalmar, Austria in the 1960s. Measures: width total 18.1” in. (46 cm), dep...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Spider Brass Flush Mount Lamp Chandelier Refurbished, Austria 1950By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATJ.T. Kalmar Spider Brass Flush Mount Lamp Chandelier Stella, Austria 1950 Rare 33" chandelier called Stella designed by J.T Kalmar Vienna in the 1950s. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
