Pair of Large Kalmar Glass Sconces or Wall Lights, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 12.41 in (31.5 cm)Width: 7.09 in (18 cm)Depth: 4.73 in (12 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Hausmannstätten, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU108242586192
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: Hausmannstätten, Austria
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Pair of Large Kalmar Textured Glass Sconces Wall Lights, 1960By J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of large box textured glass wall lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s-early 1960s). Light bulbs are not included. It is possible...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Large Kalmar 'Tulipan' Wall Lights Sconces, Glass Brass, 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of large 'Tulipan' brass and glass wall light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). Two pairs are avail...Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Large Kalmar Textured Glass and Brass Sconces Wall Lights, 1960By J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of large textured glass and brass wall lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s-early 1960s). A single piece of angled clear glass i...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of Large Kalmar 'Tulipan' Wall Lights Sconces, Murano Glass Brass, 1960sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of large 'Tulipan' brass and glass wall light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). The name Tulipan de...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Kalmar Textured Glass Sconces Wall Lights, circa 1960By J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of textured glass wall lamps by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s or early 1960s). Two half round curved glasses are mounted with cone ...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Kalmar Tulipan Wall Lights Sconces, Bubble Glass, 1970By J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of 'Tulipan' glass wall light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). Currently two pairs are available. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of J. T. Kalmar Ice Glass Wall Lights or SconcesBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATVienna, around 1960, white lacquered metal frame, each with an unwound, plate-shaped dispersion glass shade and each fitted with 6 E14 sockets, each approx. 38 x 32 cm, signs of age,...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of J.T. Kalmar Wall Lights, 1950sBy Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti, J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATFine pair of J.T. Kalmar wall lights from the 1950s. Very nice original condition with patina on the brass and minimal wear to the original lacquer. One original brass E27 socket wit...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- Kalmar Wall Sconce, 1950sBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Wien, ATVery charming sconce, made of solid textured glass nice brass knobs. In very good condition. Brass parts polished and stove enameled.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- 1 of 4 Large Austrian Textured Glass Wall Lights or Sconces by JT Kalmar c. 1955By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Landau an der Isar, BayernOne of a set of four elegant vintage midcentury large and oversized Austrian made wall lights, lamps or sconces by J.T. Kalmar circa 1955. Featuring wonderful large folded sheets of ...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- J.T. Kalmar Pair of Mid-Century Pulegoso "Foam" Glass Wall Lights or SconcesBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Landau an der Isar, BayernPair of Austrian made ice "foam" glass wall sconces, lamps or lights by J.T. Kalmar, circa 1960s. Featuring three hanging "Pulegoso" or foam glass elements resembling ice crystals su...Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Rare Large Structured Glass Wall Lights Sconces by KalmarBy J.T. KalmarLocated in Vienna, ATBrass frame with structured glass shades fitted with 2 E14 sockets manufactured by J.T. Kalmar in the 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsSteel