Mid-Century Acrylic Glass Candlestick by Jt Kalmar, 1960s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

The Austrian designer and entrepreneur Julius Theodor (J. T.) Kalmar was born in Vienna in 1884. As the son of Julius August Kalmar - founder of the company of the same name, which specialized in candlesticks and other objects cast from bronze - Kalmar gained extensive design experience at a young age. He went to the Birmingham School of Art and studied at the Vienna University of Applied Arts under the Vienna Secession architect Josef Hoffmann (1870 - 1956).

In 1906, Kalmar joined his father's company, which he took over in 1913. A strong supporter of the Arts & Crafts movement, Kalmar led the company away from the eclecticism of the late 19th century. Kalmar's design aesthetic was characterized by the integration of form and function, as well as a mix of classic tradition and forward-looking innovation. In the 1920s, his designs dominated the influential avant-garde furniture store Haus & Garten, which was founded by the famous architects Josef Frank (1885 - 1967) and Oskar Wlach (1881 - 1963).

from the 1930s onwards, Kalmar worked with the Austrian Werkbund - an association of architects, artists, craftsmen and manufacturers who stood for modernist design principles. Kalmar designed a series of glass chandeliers and furnishings for the Werkbund. These pieces demonstrated the most careful execution and craftsmanship. Made from materials such as glass, bronze and copper, these designs were devoid of any decoration but were tastefully purist.

During his career, Kalmar designed lighting for many renowned architects, such as Josef Frank and Oskar Wlach, Oskar Stmad, Clemens Holzmeister, Oswald Haerdtl, Carl Appel, Erich Boltenstern and Ernst Plischke, as well as for important institutions such as the Vienna Opera and the Burgtheater and the Vienna Stock Exchange. In the last decade of his life, Kalmar developed a number of very popular lighting collections, including Tulipan (circa 1960), Ice Glass (1960s) and Atomic (1969).

Kalmar died in 1968. The company continued under the leadership of his son-in-law Rudols Calice. Today, Thomas Calice is the fourth generation to run the company. Kalmar lighting can be found in prominent locations around the world, such as the RMS Queen Mary 2, the Moscow Kremlin and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai

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* The cable of this item may be original and might need replacement, if not specified otherwise.

Creator	J. T. Kalmar
Design Period	1960 to 1969
Production Period	1960 to 1969
Country of Manufacture	Austria
Identifying Marks	This piece has been attributed based on archival documentation, such as vintage catalogs, designer records, or other literature sources
Style	Mid-Century
Detailed Condition	Good — This vintage/antique item may have some wear such as scratches and other signs of ageing.
	The vendor has confirmed this piece is in working order.
Restoration and Damage Details	Light wear consistent with age and use, Patina consistent with age and use
Product Code	RZY-1918546
Materials	Metal, Acrylic Glass
Color	Clear, silver
Height	55 cm 55 cm
Diameter	33 cm

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Germany
Returns	Returns accepted within fourteen days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

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Delivery Details

Delivery will be completed by a parcel service such as UPS, DHL, or FedEx.
You will receive a tracking number to monitor the status of your shipment.
Delivery will take place between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine the packaging upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damaged packaging, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note, take pictures, and—if the item inside shows damages—contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations regarding damaged packaging represents your acceptance of the completed order in perfect condition.

About the Creator

J. T. Kalmar

Austrian designer-entrepreneur Julius Theodor (J.T.) Kalmar was born in 1884 in Vienna. Son to Julius August Kalmar—founder of the eponymous company specializing in chandeliers and other cast bronze objects—Kalmar gained a wealth of design expertise in his formative years. Kalmar attended the Birmingham School of Art, as well as Vienna’s University of Applied Arts under Vienna Seccession architect Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956).

Kalmar joined his father’s company in 1906, eventually taking over in 1913. As a strong advocate of the Arts & Crafts movement, Kalmar guided the company away from the eclecticism of the late 19th century. Kalmar’s design aesthetic was characterized by an integration of form and function and a blend of classical tradition with forward-facing innovation. By the mid-1920s, his designs dominated the influential, avant-garde home furnishings shop Haus & Garten, founded by prominent architects Josef Frank (1885-1967) and Oskar Wlach (1881-1963).

In the 1930s, Kalmar began collaborating with the Austrian Werkbund—an association founded by architects, artists, craftsmen, and manufacturers who were committed to modernist design principles. Kalmar created for the Werkbund a series of glass chandeliers and fixtures, which exuded meticulous construction and craftsmanship. Using traditional materials like glass, bronze, and brass, these designs lacked ornament, favoring instead a purist aesthetic.

Throughout his career, Kalmar designed light fixtures for many renowned architects—including Josef Frank and Oskar Wlach, Oskar Strnad, Clemens Holzmeister, Oswald Haerdtl, Carl Appel, Erich Boltenstern, and Ernst Plischke—as well as important institutions, such as the Vienna Opera, Burg Theater, and Vienna Stock Exchange. In the last decade of his life, Kalmar developed a number of highly popular lighting collections, including Tulipan (ca. 1960), Ice Glass (1960s), and Atomic (1969).

Kalmar passed away in 1968, but the company continued under the direction of his son-in-law, Rudols Calice. Today, fourth-generation family member Thomas Calice runs the company. Kalmar lighting can be found in prominent locales around the world, including the RMS Queen Mary 2, the Kremlin’s Presidential Palace in Moscow, and the Burj Tower in Dubai.