Martin Visser Prototype SE20 Chair, 'T Spectrum, 1988
About the Item
- Creator:Martin Visser (Designer),'t Spectrum Bergeijk (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80 cm)Width: 16.54 in (42 cm)Depth: 22.05 in (56 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1988
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:
Martin Visser
Martin Visser was a Dutch furniture-designer and art-collector. Visser started designing at a young age, but most of all he was an art collector. His collection contains works of a cobra, Anselm Kiefer and Keith Haring. His focus was on young and promising artists. The Kröller-Müller museum accommodates over 400 works of Vissers art-collection. Vissers's career as a designer started at department store De Bijenkorf. From 1955, he became head of production and design of ’t Spectrum. For this company, Visser designed numerous items, including the table.
't Spectrum Bergeijk
Dutch furniture company ‘t Spectrum — later Spectrum — was established in 1941 with a run of pieces that were spare and outwardly industrial in appearance. Its early armchairs and dining chairs were often framed in tubular metal, and boast clearly defined lines and minimal curves. The vintage ‘t Spectrum seating in the decades that followed, which was designed by the likes of Gerrit Rietveld and Wim van Gelderen, is characterized by the angular forms and Pop art-hued colors that we associate with the best of mid-century modernism.
‘t Spectrum emerged in 1941 as an offshoot of the Dutch fabric manufacturer De Ploeg. When a shortage of textiles and other materials took shape owing to the demands of the Second World War, De Ploeg director Piet Blijenburg changed gears, and sought to broaden the manufacturer’s offerings as well as prevent the company's employees from being forced into work for occupying military forces.
‘t Spectrum was a brand devoted to furniture and interiors — as well as goods and decor for the home such as coat racks, napkin rings and beds. Legendary modernist furniture designer Gerrit Rietveld — an integral part of the Dutch art and design movement of the early 20th century called De Stijl — was brought on in a supervisory role in its early days, and designer Martin Visser was installed to oversee the production of furniture.
The end of the war brought a greater availability of metals and other materials to ‘t Spectrum, which became more focused on creating affordable furniture for the era’s new homeowners. A new factory designed by Rietveld was built in Bergeijk in 1957. During the late 1960s, ‘t Spectrum offered a richer range of furnishings, incorporating alluring hardwoods and leathers as part of sophisticated lines of seating and other pieces designed in the mid-century modern style. Visser recruited the likes of Friso Kramer, Benno Premsela, Constant Nieuwenhuys and others to design for ‘t Spectrum over the years.
With competition for cheaper furniture on the rise in the 1970s, ‘t Spectrum liquidated in 1974. A group of employees acquired the designs and continued the company under the name of Arspect. The firm produced ‘t Spectrum designs and works from other designers.
Arspect closed its doors in 1986. A former employee bought the company and renewed it with the name Spectrum. Today, Spectrum operates in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, creating contemporary designs alongside pieces dating back to the look and feel of the products offered by the original manufacturer. The company is also reproducing original designs created by Visser and Rietveld.
On 1stDibs, browse a selection of vintage ‘t Spectrum Bergijk seating, tables, storage pieces and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Wilnis, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- “Bumper” Coffee Table by Martin Visser for Spectrum, NetherlandsBy Martin VisserLocated in Amsterdam, NLThis is a rare “Bumper” Table by Dutch designer Martin Visser, manufactured by ‘t Spectrum in the Netherlands around 1960. This is one of Visser’s most unique pieces, designed as a ...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMarble, Metal
- PK20 Chair by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1960By E. Kold Christensen, Poul KjærholmLocated in Amsterdam, NLA beautiful PK20 highback lounge chair, designed by Poul Kjaerholm and manufactured by E. Kold Christensen in Denmark around 1960. This very rare chair is guaranteed to draw the att...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- "Ruffian" Chaise Longue by Niall O'Flynn for 't Spectrum, Netherlands, 1997By Niall O'Flynn, 't Spectrum BergeijkLocated in Amsterdam, NLEye-catching chaise longue, model "Ruffian", designed by Niall O'Flynn for 't Spectrum in the Netherlands in 1997. Only a few of these beautiful chaise longues have been produced,...Category
1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsMetal
- Carlo di Carli attributed Easy Chair, Italy, 1950sBy Carlo De CarliLocated in Amsterdam, NLA unique easy chair attributed to Carlo di Carli, produced in Italy, circa 1950. This chair combines materials in a very complimenting way. The legs are made of high quality black...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Rare Thonet Deck Chair Model 480, circa 1930By Thonet, Hans & Wassili LuckhardtLocated in Amsterdam, NLRare deck chair manufactured by Thonet with original upholstery, circa 1930. The chair is possible to reclinate and to fold it totally. Beechwood and fabric. Labeled in the backside with Thonet G80. In great vintage condition, preserving a beautiful patina with some minor scratches in the fabric. One of the handles is new. First design named Siesta chair designed by Hans and Wassily...Category
Vintage 1930s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Børge Mogensen Wingback Chair for Fredericia, Denmark, 1960By Børge Mogensen, FredericiaLocated in Amsterdam, NLHigh back wingchair designed by Børge Mogensen, manufactured by Fredericia in Denmark, circa 1960. This beautiful seat has a sharply defined outline and a soft, inviting interior....Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Martin Visser Modernist Prototype Chair SE20 Spectrum, 1988By Martin VisserLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare prototype side chair designed by Martin Visser and manufactured by ’t Spectrum Bergeyk 1988. This chair is the pre production of model number SE20 and was eventually made in sev...Category
Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Martin Visser Modernist Chair SE20 Spectrum, 1988By Martin VisserLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare modernist side chair designed by Martin Visser and manufactured by ’t Spectrum Bergeyk, 1988. This chair is model number SE20 and was made in several color combinations. This is...Category
Vintage 1980s Dutch Post-Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Martin Visser SZ04 Lounge Chairs Sofa 't Spectrum, 1964By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum BergeijkLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare set of 3 lounge chairs model SZ04 designed by Martin Visser and manufacturer by 't Spectrum, The Netherlands 1964. These lounge chairs can ...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Set of 2 Easy Chairs by Martin Visser for 'T Spectrum, 1960sBy 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin Visser, Dick van der NetLocated in Steenwijk, NLThis is a beautiful set of 2 size 38/size 08 Martin Visser easy chairs for 't Spectrum in collaboration with designer Dick van der Net. This model has been produced by 't Spectrum fr...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Martin Visser Cleon Lounge Chairs 't Spectrum, 1964By Martin VisserLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare pair of 'Cleon' lounge chairs designed by Martin Visser and manufactured by 't Spectrum, Holland 1964. The chairs have solid beech wooden slat structure which was white wahed, t...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech
- Martin Visser for 't Spectrum SZ 67 Lounge ChairBy 't Spectrum, Martin VisserLocated in Norwalk, CTIndulge in the enigmatic allure of the Martin Visser SZ 67 Lounge Chair, a true design classic. This example - with its sleek black steel frame and bold red wool upholstery - is the ...Category
Late 20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel