J.T. Kalmar Huge Brass & Melting Glass Petal Sconce, Mid-Century Austria, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 11 in (27.94 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU101525562303
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.
- A Pair of J.T. Kalmar Citrus Swirl Ice Glass Sconces Wall Lights, Austria, 1970sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA pair of modernist wall lights, made by J.T. Kalmar Vienna / Austria in the 1970s. White metal bases with clear twisted crystal glass panels with a light goldish amber colored strip...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- J.T. Kalmar Pair Sconces Wall Lamps, Brass & Textured Glass, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful pair of brass and glass modernist wall lights, executed by J.T. Kalmar Vienna in the 1950s. Charming sconces, made of solid textured melting glass with white metal bases ...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- J.T. Kalmar Vienna Pair of Unusual Brass Glass Sconces, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA pair of brass and glass wall lamps, manufactures by J.T. Kalmar Vienna in the 1950s. Very charming sconces, the lampshades are made of solid textured glass they have a nice striped...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar "Haken" Pair Adjustable Yellow Mid-Century Sconces, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA pair of beautiful yellow wall lights from the 1950s, manufactured by J.T:. Kalmar Vienna, Austria. The lampshades are mounted on a round hook and adjustable in angle. Impressive an...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- J.T. Kalmar Midcentury Ice Glass Sconce Wall Light, Austria, 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA beautiful wall lamp, manufactured by J.T. Kalmar Austria in the 1960s. Lovely design, it has two sockets, an integrated switch and three textured solid ice glass sheets on it. In e...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- J.T. Kalmar Two Pairs of Large Floral Auguri Brass Sconces, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATTwo pairs of beautiful and big 25" high "Auguri" wall lamps from the 1950s, designed and manufactured by Kalmar, Austria. Two pairs available, sold as pairs, the price is per pair. C...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Huge Kalmar Sconce Wall Light, 1970s, AustriaBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATHuge Kalmar sconce wall light, 1970s, Austria. Nickel-plated metal base with an impressive handblown. Original condition.Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Pair of Kalmar Ice Glass Wall Sconce by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1970sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Rijssen, NLA pair of elegant modern wall lights or sconces, manufactured by J.T. Kalmar Austria in the 1970s. Lovely design, executed to a very high standard. The wall light solid ice glass sheets dangling on it. Clean lines to complement all decors. The high quality large ice crystal plates beautifully reflecting the light. Heavy quality, cleaned and re-wired, in full working order and ready to use. The frame and the ice glass shades...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsChrome
- J.T. Kalmar Murano Glass Brass Sconces, Austria, 1960By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Rijssen, NLElegant J.T. Kalmar wall sconces featuring thick white and clear swirl glass on a gilded brass base. Manufactured by the company Kalmar in Austria, Europe around 1960. Minimalistic d...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- 1 of the 4 Kalmar Ice Glass Wall Sconces by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1970sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Rijssen, NLBeautiful and elegant modern brass wall lights or sconces, manufactured by J.T. Kalmar Austria in the 1970s. Lovely design, executed to a very high standard. Each wall light has five...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Adam Style Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Signed Pair of J.T. Kalmar Sconces Gilt Brass White Murano Glass, Austria 1970sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Nierstein am Rhein, DEA beautiful pair of wall lights or sconces by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, circa 1960-1970, made of brass and crystal glass. The modern and stylish model is typical for Kalmar, highest qual...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
- Signed Pair of J.T. Kalmar Sconces Gilt Brass White Murano Glass Austria, 1970sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Nierstein am Rhein, DEA beautiful pair of wall lights or sconces by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, circa 1960-1970, made of brass and crystal glass. The modern and stylish model is typical for Kalmar, highest qual...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsCrystal, Brass