Midcentury Kalmar Dorn Ceiling Lamp Flush Mount Uplight, Austria, 1950s
View Similar Items
Midcentury Kalmar Dorn Ceiling Lamp Flush Mount Uplight, Austria, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Designer, Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Diameter: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Rewired. Refinished.
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1015222789082
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 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
- 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 Square Midcentury Textured Glass Flush Mount , Sconce, Vienna, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful lamp from the 1950s, made by Kalmar Vienna Austria. To be uses as a flush mount or sconce. A charming lamp, made of solid textured glass on a white painted metal frame. H...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsMetal
- 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 Sun Mid-Century Brass Chandelier Ceiling Lamp, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful Mid-Century modernist brass chandelier / ceiling Light / flush mount from the 1950s, model „Sonne“ (sun), executed by Kalmar Vienna. In good condition with nice patina on...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
- Large Round J. T. Kalmar Mid-Century Textured Glass Flush Mount, Austria, 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful and elegant modernist flush mount / ceiling lamp from the 1960s by J.T. Kalmar, Austria. A charming light fixture, it has a domed 18 in diameter lampshade, made of solid ...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsMetal
- Textured Glass And Brass Ceiling Lamp Flush Mount by Kalmar, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATVery nice textured glass and brass ceiling light by J. T. Kalmar, Vienna, from the 1950s. Five sockets for E26 / E27 (standard) bulbs with 40W max. each.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- Kalmar Mid-Century Brass and Textured Glass Flush Mount, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATKalmar Mid-Century brass and textured glass flush mount, Austria, 1950s, polished.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
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
- Mid-Century Flush Mount Ceiling Lamp, 1950sLocated in Oslo, NODecorative ceiling lamp with shade in opaline glass and metal frame. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half by Høvik Lys. The lamp is fully working and in good vinta...Category
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsMetal
- 1950 Austria Kalmar Drum Flush Mount Chandelier Glass Tubes & ChromeBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenElegant drum chandelier with circular glass tubes on a chromed frame. Designed by J.T. Kalmar, Austria in the 1950s. Lighting: takes four large Edison E27 base screw bulbs. Condit...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome