Pelikan Floor Lamp in Brass and Lacquered Steel by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1950s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

We are very enthusiastic about this ‘Pelikan’ Floor lamp by J.T. Kalmar, a striking masterpiece from the 1950s, produced in Austria. This stunning creation combines the luxurious warmth of brass with the sleek sophistication of lacquered steel, offering a bold contrast that captivates the eye.

J.T. Kalmar.
Born into the Kalmar family business, J.T. Kalmar (Julius Theodor Kalmar) was the son of Julius August Kalmar, who founded the Kalmar lighting company in 1881 in Vienna. Initially focused on metalwork and furnishings, the company evolved into one of the leading producers of high-end lighting fixtures in Austria. J.T. Kalmar trained as an architect and took the helm of the family business in the early 20th century. His approach was heavily influenced by the Viennese Secession movement and the emerging functionalist trends of the Bauhaus, which emphasized clean lines, simplicity, and the harmony of form and function. Under his leadership, Kalmar Werkstätten became synonymous with luxury and precision craftsmanship, blending traditional Austrian artisanship with modernist design.

Design
The lamp's silhouette, with its iconic double-cone lampshades, evokes the graceful form of its avian namesake. Its adjustable brass arm adds both versatility and charm, allowing the lamp to adapt effortlessly to your lighting needs. Its minimalist design, balanced by a solid, triangular base, exudes an understated mid-century modern vibe. The 'Pelikan' is not just a light source; it’s a sculptural statement, infusing any space with a refined blend of form and function.It offers a double switch

Condition
The lamp is in very good condition with some normal wear and tear like scratches. The wiring is fixed and the lamp is ready to use.

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

Creator	J. T. Kalmar
Manufacturer	Kalmar Lighting
Design Period	1950 to 1959
Production Period	Unknown
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	Midcentury
Detailed Condition	Very Good — This vintage/antique item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use.
	The vendor has confirmed this piece is in working order.
Restoration and Damage Details	Light wear consistent with age and use
Plug Type	European Plug (up to 250V)
SKU	UQV-1988248
Materials	Brass, Steel
Color	Black
Width	25 cm 25 cm
Depth	30 cm 30 cm
Height	187 cm 187 cm

Shipping & Delivery

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

Sustainability

Carbon Neutral	For every purchase made, Pamono offsets 100% of estimated carbon emissions from global shipping.
Vintage	Choosing vintage and antique furniture reduces your carbon footprint by cutting down on waste and reduces demand for new materials and extends the life of the products we use.

Delivery Options

Front Door Delivery: (Included in Every Order)	A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below). The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. 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.
In-Home Delivery: (For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)	A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers. The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. 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.

Front Door Delivery:
(Included in Every Order)

A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below).
The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
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.

In-Home Delivery:
(For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)

A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers.
The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
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 every order upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damage or missing or incorrect pieces, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations of missing, damaged, or incorrect item(s) represents your acceptance of the complete 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.