Extra Large Kalmar 'Tulipan' Glass Flush Mount Light Fixture, 1970s
View Similar Items
Extra Large Kalmar 'Tulipan' Glass Flush Mount Light Fixture, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:J.T. Kalmar (Designer),Kalmar Lighting (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 11.82 in (30 cm)Diameter: 27.56 in (70 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:Seller: 8731stDibs: LU1014618284832
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.
- Kalmar 'Tulipan' Glass Flush Mount Light Chandelier, 1970sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA large and fantastic "Tulipan" flush mount light fixture by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). The name Tulipan derive...Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Extra Large Mid-Century 'Tulipan' Glass Flush Mount Light Fixture by Kalmar 1970By J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATAn extra large and gorgeous Mid-Century Modern 'Tulipan' flush mount chandelier by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). T...Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Extra Large Square Glass Flush Mount by J.T. Kalmar, Europe, Austria, 1970sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Rijssen, NLClean lines to complement all decors. Amazing large scale square glass flush mount by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in circa 1970, (late 1960s and early 1970s). Multipl...Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Extra Large Chandelier Pendant Light Kalmar 'Tulipan', Murano Glass Brass, 1970By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATOne of two huge and fantastic light fixtures model Tulipan HL 155 by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). The name Tulipa...Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of Kalmar 'Tulipan' Flush Mount Lights Chandeliers, Glass Brass Metal 1970sBy J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar LightingLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA pair of large and fantastic "Tulipan" flush mount light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, Vienna, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). The name Tulip...Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Large Square Kalmar Flush Mount Light Fixture or Sconce 'Cubus', 1970By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Hausmannstätten, ATA large and square light fixture model 'Cubus' (German 'Würfel') by Kalmar, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). It is made of a polished stainless chromium steel (similar to chrome) backplate and frosted cubic cast glass lamp...Category
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsChrome, Stainless Steel