J. S. Kalmar, Table Lamp
View Similar Items
J. S. Kalmar, Table Lamp
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)Diameter: 6.3 in (16 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1940
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Wien, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU219935804403
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.
- J. T. Kalmar Brass and Rosewood Table LampBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Montréal, QCJ. T. Kalmar brass and Rosewood table lamp. 60 watts E-26 Edison medium base incandescent bulb recommended or higher if LED/CFL.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- J. T. Kalmar Table Lamp Form the 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATTeak legs with teak and leather handle made by J. T. Kalmar in the 1950s, model 4375. "Eichhörnchen" (Squirrel). Restored.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Teak
- Small Kalmar Table Lamp, circa 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATSmall Kalmar table lamp, circa 1960s Original condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Glass Table Lamp by J.T. KalmarBy Hans-Agne Jakobsson, J.T. Kalmar, Cosack Leuchten, Gaetano Sciolari, Gino VistosiLocated in München, DEStunning Murano glass table lamp from the 1960s. The heavy, two-tone structured glass spreads an impressive, sparkling play of light. Very high quality workmanship and fantastic desi...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Brass Edition 'Billy TL' Table Lamp by J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar WerkstatteBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Utrecht, NLBilly TL Ilse Crawford Edition was created by London-based designer and creative director Ilse Crawford for Kalmar Werkstätten. This new version elevates the Billy TL concept with ma...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Brass and Wood J. T. Kalmar Table LampBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, AustriaA tall simple elegant table lamp from Kalmar. Made from brass and wood. The lamp now has a new shade in wine red with a reflective gold lining. The gold lining accents the light to...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass