Kalmar Glass Lantern Vienna, Austria, 1950
About the Item
- Creator:Kalmar Lighting (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)Width: 5 in (12.7 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Power Source:Hardwired
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bronx, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3622316910031
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Bronx, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Kalmar Glass Lantern, Austria, 1970By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Bronx, NYKalmar lantern, Vienna, Austria, 1970. Chrome frame with three thick large ice looking glass elements with an Edison centre socket. Glass is in excellent condition high quality Kal...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Kalmar Granada Cascade Glass Chandelier by Kalmar Austria, Vienna, 1960By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Bronx, NYKalmar Granada cascade glass chandelier by Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, 1960 Five individual glass elements with a chrome finial, the glass has texture that gives the impression of ice, ...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsMetal
- Kalmar Palazzo Crystal Sconce, Vienna AustriaBy Kalmar LightingLocated in Bronx, NYA single Kalmar palazzo crystal sconce 1970s Vienna Austria, six thick clear heavy pieces of crystal on a chrome frame that is 24-carat gilt, the frame ...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsCrystal, Chrome
- Royal Blue Swedish Glass Lantern, 1950By OrreforsLocated in Bronx, NYRoyal blue Swedish glass lantern, 1950 Downward light, Sweden, 1950s. Brass stem with brass canopy, the shade is a Royal blue oval glass. Rewired for the U.S.Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Bubble Glass Kalmar/Putzler Glass Globe, 1960 Vienna AustriaBy Peill & Putzler, Kalmar LightingLocated in Bronx, NYMidcentury bubble glass Kalmar glass balls with numerous tiny air bubbles in the glass lid up by a single Edison bulb. High polished chrome bases....Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
- Kalmar Glass Flush Mount with Brass Centre, Vienna, Austria, 1970By Kalmar LightingLocated in Bronx, NYFlush mount by Kalmar Vienna, Austria, 1970. Round diffuser dome shaped glass that is organically shaped wavy, four Edison sockets. The glass has structure to it, in the centre a la...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
- Kalmar Vienna Brass Lantern Midcentury Pendant Lamp, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated 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
- Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brass Red Green Metal Kalmar Lanterns ViennaBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATThis pair of metal lanterns was designed and made in Vienna circa 1960 by J.T.Kalmar. In the midcentury period the lighting firm Kalmar manufactured and designed the most innovative...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
MaterialsMetal
- 1950's Glass & Metal LanternLocated in Schoorl, NLLantern consists of thick glass ornament in the middle covering the E14 lightbulb, Finished off with a metal frame.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Lanterns
MaterialsGlass
- Midcentury Lantern Tokio from J. T. KalmarBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, AustriaThis Tokio lamp from Kalmar is in wonderful condition. The metal top, chain ceiling cup and cage are sprayed linden green, the glass has been frosted with a...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Murano Glass Lantern, Italy, 1950sLocated in Paris, FRMurano Glass Lantern, Italy, 1950s.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Lanterns
MaterialsGlass
- Large J.T. Kalmar Textured Glass Pendant, circa 1950By J.T. Kalmar, VeniniLocated in Vienna, ATLarge textured glass and brass pendant by J.T. Kalmar, circa 1950. Made from a single sheet of textured glass which is 'curled' into a large, slightly organic, cylinder. One original...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
