1 of the 4 Kalmar Frosted Glass and Brass Leaf Wall Sconces, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Designer),Kalmar Lighting (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 9.06 in (23 cm)Width: 5.52 in (14 cm)Depth: 2.96 in (7.5 cm)
- 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:Rijssen, NL
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Rijssen, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Exceptional Pair of Kalmar 'Tulipan' Wall Sconces, 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Rijssen, NLAn exceptional 'Tulipan' pair by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in 20th century, circa 1970, (late 1960s-early 1970s). With beautiful Murano Tulipan shaped blown bubble g...Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of Kalmar Leaf Sconces, 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Rijssen, NLPair of Kalmar leaf sconces. Brass center with two panels of glass surrounding both sides. Thick glass with opaque lines in leaf pattern. Mini...Category
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Kalmar Leaf Sconces, 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Rijssen, NLPair of of Kalmar leaf sconces. Brass center with two panels of glass surrounding both sides. Thick glass with opaque lines in leaf pattern. Minimalistic design executed with a tas...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- A pair of J.T. Kalmar Leaf Sconces, 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Rijssen, NLA pair of J.T. Kalmar leaf sconces. Chrome center with two panels of glass surrounding both sides. White back plate. Thick glass with opaque lines in leaf pattern. Minimalistic desi...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- 1 of the 6 Glass and Brass Light Fixtures Designed by J.T Kalmar, Austria, 1960sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Rijssen, NLA stunning pair of light fixtures designed by J.T Kalmar, manufactured by Kalmar Franken, Austria in the 1960s. High-end and handmade design from the 20th century. The square of whit...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- 1 of the 2 Glass and Brass Light Fixture Designed by J.T Kalmar, Austria, 1960sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Rijssen, NLA stunning light fixture designed by J.T Kalmar, manufactured by Kalmar Franken, Austria in the 1960s. High-end handmade design from the 20th century. The three large rectangles of w...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Kalmar Ice Glass Wall Sconces, 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Barcelona, ESPair of ice glass Kalmar wall sconces. Each one is composed by two pieces of ice glass blocks placed on a metal base. This pair of sconces is in excellent condition and they have be...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- 1 (of 2) Pair of Kalmar Wall Sconces Frosted Glass and Chrome, Austria 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenElegant set of two hand blown Murano glass wall sconces on a nickel frame. Hanging glass resembles ice floes. Gem from the time. With this light you make a clear statement in your in...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsNickel, Chrome
- Kalmar Frosted Ice Glass Panel Sconce Wall Lamp, 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATKalmar Frosted ice glass panel sconce wall lamp, 1960s. Original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Up to Four Kalmar Frosted Ice Glass Panel Sconces Modernist Wall Lamps, 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Vienna, ATUp to four identical wall lamps, manufactured by Kalmar Austria in the 1960s. Chrome-plated bases, each lamp has three square frosted ice glass panels (7 x 7 in) on it. In excellent ...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- 1 'of 3' Pair of Kalmar Tulipan Wall Sconces Murano Glass, Austria, Vienna 1960sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Niederdorfelden, HessenElegant pair of "Tulipan" Murano glass wall lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in the 1960s. Hanging glass resembles tulips. Each tulip shaped glass is handmade and...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Midcentury Kalmar Frosted Ice Glass Panel Sconce Wall Light, Austria, 1960sBy Kalmar LightingLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful wall lamp, manufactured by J.T. Kalmar Austria in the 1960s. Stunning design, it has a square frosted ice glass panel (7x7 inch) dangling on it. In good condition with ni...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal