J.T. Kalmar Red Brass Midcentury Table Lamp, Model Style, Vienna, Austria, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU101524222343
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.
- J.T. Kalmar Model "Style" Midcentury Cone Table Clamp Lamp, Vienna, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA rare and beautiful vintage Austrian modernist table or desk lamp, model name „Style". Designed and produced by Kalmar Vienna/Austria in the 1950s. The cone lamp shade has still its...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair J.T. Kalmar Brass & Textured Glass Mid-Century Table Lamps, Austria, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA pair of lovely brass and glass table / side / nightstand lamps from the 1950s, manufactured by J.T. Kalmar Vienna Austria. They have nice brass bases with four legs and brass knobs...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Kalmar Vienna Brass Lantern Midcentury Pendant Lamp, Austria, 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATA unusual and beautiful modernist lantern / pendant Light, manufactured by Kalmar Vienna in the early 1950s. An uncommon piece, its frame is made of black iron, it has a satined crac...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
MaterialsBrass, Iron, Wire
- Two J.T. Kalmar Vienna Midcentury Glass Tube Brass Pendant Lamps, Austria, 1950sLocated in Vienna, ATUp to two beautiful matching pendant lamps from the 1950s, designed an executed by J.T. Kalmar in Austria. Sold and priced per piece. Brass hardware with a big tube made of clear tex...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- Josef Frank J.T. Kalmar Table Lamp Tisch-Überall, Brass & Leather, Austria, 1930By Josef Frank, Haus & Garten, Svenskt Tenn, J.T. Kalmar, Oskar WlachLocated in Vienna, ATA wonderful Viennese Modernism table or desk lamp form the 1930s, designed by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten (Josef Frank und Oskar Wlach) in 1934. The...Category
Vintage 1930s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsIron, Wire, Brass
- Josef Frank J.T. Kalmar Brass & Leather Desk Table Lamp, 1950s, AustriaBy Josef Frank, Haus & Garten, J.T. KalmarLocated in Biebergemund, HessenImportant 1950s desk lamp, designed by Josef Frank and manufactured by J.T. Kalmar in the Viennese Modern Age era. The light is made of massive brass in very elegant shape and high q...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. KALMAR Tripod Brass Table Lamp, Josef Frank Style, 1960s, AustriaBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Biebergemund, HessenElegant midcentury modern table lamp, manufactured by J.T. Kalmar in Austria, Vienna. The lamp is made of polished brass base in manner of Josef Frank, who worked many years with Ka...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Midcentury Rupert Nikoll Brass Nightstand Table Lamps, 1950s, AustriaBy Rupert Nikoll, J.T. KalmarLocated in Biebergemund, HessenPair of elegant Rupert Nikoll polished brass nightstand or table lamps. Made of curved brass tube. Fully working rewired and tested condition with lovely patina. One Edison E27 sock...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- 1950s Austrian Brass 'Lily' Table Lamp Attributed to J.T. KalmarBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-20th century table lamp composed of a pale-yellow, oversized shade (resembling a lily petal) with an interior black metal socket and tubular brass base / brass hardware. Simple, ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Josef Frank J.T. Kalmar Brass Bamboo Table Lamp 'Tisch-Überall', 1940s, AustriaBy Josef Frank, Haus & Garten, J.T. KalmarLocated in Biebergemund, HessenImportant & rare, early 1940s 'Tisch Überall' table lamp mod. 1092, designed by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten and manufactured by J.T. Kalmar, handmade in the Viennese Modern...Category
Vintage 1940s Austrian Vienna Secession Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Rupert Nikoll Pair Midcentury Brass Nightstand Table Lamps, 1950s, AustriaBy Rupert NikollLocated in Biebergemund, HessenElegant pair of Rupert Nikoll solid brass bed-side or nightstand lamps. The lamps are in excellent condition. Fully working rewired and tested conditio...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
