J.T. Kalmar Adjustable Wall Lamp, circa 1950s
View Similar Items
J.T. Kalmar Adjustable Wall Lamp, circa 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 22.84 in (58 cm)Width: 8.27 in (21 cm)Depth: 22.45 in (57 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Wien, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1071815301311
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.
- Two Wall lamps by J.T. Kalmar, circa 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Wien, ATTwo wall lamps by J.T. Kalmar, circa 1950s. Original condition only the shade are painted new. On-off switch on the shades. Wide is from 20-90 cm. we only have exactly the same ones ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Aluminum
$1,318 / set - J.T.Kalmar Wall Lamp, Vienna, circa 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Wien, ATJ.T.Kalmar wall lamp, Vienna, circa 1950s Brass nickel-plated Frosted glass Original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsNickel
- J.T. Kalmar 'Palazzo' Sconces Around 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Wien, ATWall lights made by Kalmar in Austria. This model "Palazzo" was manufactured, circa 1970-1979. Original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Two Wall Lamps by J.T.Kalmar, circa 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Wien, ATTwo wall lamps by J.T.Kalmar, circa 1950s. Original condition only the shade are painted new. On, off switch on the shades. Wide is from 20-90cm. we only have exactly the same ones w...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Aluminum
$1,318 / set - Kalmar Wall Lamp circa 1950s with Frosted GlassBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATKalmar wall lamp circa 1950s with frosted glass Good original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Kalmar Wall Lamp, circa 1950s with Frosted GlassBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATKalmar wall lamp, circa 1950s with frosted glass with integrated socket Three bulbs Braun metal painted Brass screws Original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Long Wall Light by J.T. Kalmar, 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, VeniniLocated in Vienna, ATLong wall lights by J.T. Kalmar from the 1950s. White enameled base with a single curved 'water-ripple' glass. Three original E14 sockets. Two pieces ava...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass, Steel
$878 / item - Pair of J.T. Kalmar Wall Lights, 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, Stilnovo, Gino SarfattiLocated in Vienna, ATFine pair of J.T. Kalmar wall lights from the 1950s. Very nice original condition with patina on the brass and minimal wear to the original lacquer. One original brass E27 socket wit...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
$1,538 / set - Wall Lamp by Kalmar, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Praha, CZTextured glass shade with brass color inside. Brass base Very good original condition. 2 x 40W, E12-E14 bulbs US wiring compatible.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
$395 Sale Price20% Off - 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 "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
$2,500 Sale Price / set34% Off - J.T. Kalmar Midcentury Brass Wall Light, Sconce, Brass Pins, 1950s, AustriaBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Biebergemund, HessenBeautiful Modernist wall sconces made by J. T. Kalmar in the 1950s. The light is made of polished brass and the lampshades are made of acrylic glass. The faceted acrylic glass provid...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsBrass
