Pair of J. T. Kalmar Champagne Glass Sconces, Two Pairs Available
View Similar Items
Pair of J. T. Kalmar Champagne Glass Sconces, Two Pairs Available
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 13.25 in (33.66 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU78361733472
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.
- Pair of Glass Sconces by KalmarBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Cathedral City, CAA pair of vintage Kalmar sconces in glass with an iceberg finish. Two white enameled metal buttons hold the works in place. Each sconce has one candelabra light bulb socket.Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
$2,200 / set - Two Kalmar Sconces Glass and BrassBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATTwo Kalmar sconces glass and brass. Polished.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
$878 / set - Pair of Vintage Kalmar Ice Glass SconcesBy J.T. KalmarLocated in New York, NYPair of vintage Kalmar ice glass sconces. Two pairs available for immediate purchase.Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBlown Glass
$4,800 / set - Pair of Kalmar Clear Opaque Glass SconcesBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Palm Springs, CAPair of clear and opaque glass sconces by J. T. Kalmar, mounted on nickel backplates and fittings. Takes one 40 watt candelabra size bulb, newly wired. Glass size: 9.5" tall x 10" w...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
$1,295 / set - Murano Glass Sconces, Kalmar - a pairBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Dallas, TXPair of geometrical shape Murano glass mid century modern wall sconces, by Kalmar, Austria, Italy 1970s. The vintage Italian sconces are made of a polished & curved brass frame and a...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
$2,200 / set - Two J. T Kalmar Ice Glass Sconces, circa 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATTwo J. T Kalmar ice glass sconces, circa 1950s Original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsIron, Nickel