Monumental Midcentury Basket Chandelier or Pendant Lamp by J.T. Kalmar, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 13.78 in (35 cm)Diameter: 18.51 in (47 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Munich, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3432113054072
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: Munich, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Midcentury Chandelier or Pendant Lamp by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, 1950sBy Emil Stejnar, Rupert NikollLocated in Munich, DEGorgeous Mid-Century Modern six-armed chandelier or pendant lamp 'Fontaine'. Designed by Emil Stejnar for Rupert Nikoll, Vienna, Austria, 1950s. Executed in silver plated brass, Lu...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Seven-Armed Chandelier or Pendant Lamp by Vereinigte Werkstätten Germany 1950sBy Vereinigte Werkstätten MünchenLocated in Munich, DEGorgeous Mid-Century Modern chandelier or pendant lamp with seven arms. Designed and manufactured by Vereinigte Werkstätten, Munich, Germany in 1950s. Executed in brass tubes and sh...Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Rare 8-Flamed Sputnik Chandelier or Pendant Lamp by Vereinigte Werkstätten 1950sBy Vereinigte Werkstätten MünchenLocated in Munich, DERare, elegant & highly decorative Mid-Century Modern 8-flamed chandelier or pendant lamp. Designed and manufactured by Vereinigte Werkstätten, Germany, 1950s. Executed in brass an...Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Crystal Glass Chandelier or Pendant Lamp by Bakalowits & Söhne, Vienna, 1950sBy Bakalowits & SöhneLocated in Munich, DEElegant and timeless Mid-Century Modern chandelier or pendant lamp. Manufactured by Bakalowits & Söhne, Vienna, Austria in 1950s. Executed in crystal glass and brass. The chandelier...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
- Eight-Armed Sputnik Chandelier or Pendant Lamp Bud by J.&L. Lobmeyr Vienna 1950sBy J.L LobmeyrLocated in Munich, DEExceptional Mid-Century Modern eight-armed chandelier or pendant lamp. Bulb holders shaped like buds. Designed and manufactured by J. & L. Lobmeyr, Vienna, Austria in 1950s. Execute...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCrystal, Brass
- Rare 12-Armed Brass Chandeliers or Pendant Lamps by Vereinigte Werkstätten 1950sBy Vereinigte Werkstätten MünchenLocated in Munich, DEExtremely rare, large & highly decorative Mid-Century Modern 12-armed sputnik chandeliers or pendant lamps. Designed and manufactured by Vereinigte Werkstätten, Germany, 1950s. Ex...Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Pendant Lamp from J.T. Kalmar, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, AustriaA simple, elegant pendant lamp from J.T. Kalmar. The lamp is composed of an opaline, matte white glass shade attached to a metal structure with 3 brass pins and suspended on a brass still...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- J.T. Kalmar Cone Chandelier, 1950sBy J.T. Kalmar, StilnovoLocated in Vienna, ATRare counter-weight chandelier by J.T. Kalmar, circa 1950. Four brass arms, each with a large Dual-cone shade with new hand-printed fabric. Each arm has one E27 socket pointing down ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Pendant by J.T Kalmar, circa 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATPendant by J.T Kalmar, circa 1950s Original glass Polished and stove enameled.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Midcentury Textured Glass and Brass Pendant, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in NUEMBRECHT, NRWThis beautiful midcentury pendant was designed and manufactured in Austria in the 1950s by JT Kalmar. It features a brass body and a textured glass lamp shade. The brass pieces have ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- J.T. Kalmar Textured Glass Pendant, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATClassic 1950s J.T. Kalmar pendant with 'water-ripple' textured glass. Very good original condition with some light patina on the brass elements. One original brass E27 socket with ne...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Glass chandelier for J.T. Kalmar, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in MIJDRECHT, NLRare chandelier by J.T. Kalmar for Kalmar Franken Lighting from the 1950s. Four large textured glass diffusers arranged in a „cross“ shape. This beautiful hanging lamp has a brass ...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Brass