J.T.Kalmar Wall Lamp, Vienna, circa 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Kalmar Lighting (Manufacturer),J.T. Kalmar (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 3.94 in (10 cm)Width: 12.6 in (32 cm)Depth: 2.76 in (7 cm)
- Power Source:Hardwired
- Voltage:220-240v
- Lampshade:Included
- 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: LU1071822742992
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.
Kalmar Lighting
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 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, Julius 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 Opera, the Burgtheater, Vienna stock exchange and other sites.
Under the guidance of Rudolf Calice, Julius Theodor 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 Kalmar lighting that includes wall lights, floor lamps and other fixtures.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Wien, Austria
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Two Wall Lamps by J.T.Kalmar, circa 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated 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
- Kalmar Wall Lamp Vienna Around 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATKalmar Wall Lamp Vienna Around 1950s Original conditionCategory
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- J.T.Kalmar extendable and swiveling nickel wall lamp vienna around 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATJ.T.Kalmar extendable and swiveling nickel wall lamp vienna around 1950s Brass is nickel plated Partly wood blackened The fabric shade is replaced ( new )Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsNickel
- Big Adjustable J.T.Kalmar Wall Lamp with Original Shade, Around 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATAdjustable big J.T.Kalmar wall lamp with original shade around 1950s Hight adjustable from 44cm - 72cm Wide: 40cm Deep: 92cm Brass, wood and fabric. Original fabric shade Ori...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- 2 Big Kalmar wall lamps with textured glass vienna around 1950sBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, AT2 Big Kalmar wall lamps with textured glass vienna around 1950s Original conditionCategory
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- 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 of the 4 J. T. Kalmar Wall Lamps, Model Karlstein, Vienna, circa 1960By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Rijssen, NL1 of the 4 wall lamps by J. T. Kalmar, model: Karlstein, Vienna, circa 1960. With 2 relief-like crystal glasses (dispersion glass). With a nickel plated back plate. Illuminates beaut...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Nickel
- 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
- Several J. T. Kalmar Wall Lamps, Model Karlstein, Vienna, circa 1960By J.T. KalmarLocated in Rijssen, NLBeautiful wall lamps by J. T. Kalmar, model: Karlstein, Vienna, circa 1960. With relief-like crystal glass (dispersion glass). With a brass plated back plate. Illuminates beautifully...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Exceptional Austrian Ice Glass Wall Sconces by J.T.Kalmar, Vienna, 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wiesbaden, HessenAn exceptional pair of Austrian wall sconces by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, 1960s. The fixtures are made of heavy ice Murano glass elements mounted on a nickel and white lacquered metal fr...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsNickel
- Set of Two Wall Lamps by Kalmar, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Praha, CZA beautiful pair of brass and glass modernist wall lights, executed by Kalmar Vienna in the 1950s. Perfect condition. One brass knob replaced for new one with different shape. 2 x...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Two Wall Lamps by Kalmar, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Praha, CZA beautiful pair of brass and glass modernist wall lights, executed by Kalmar Vienna in the 1950s. Very good condition. Rewired: 1 x 60W, E12-E14 bulb US wiring compatible.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass