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 seating, tables, storage pieces and more.
Martin Visser for 'T Spectrum Armchairs in Black Leather
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, lounge chairs, model 'SZ 02', leather, brushed steel, The Netherlands, 1965 These modern, Minimalist easy chairs are made of a tubular brushed steel i...
Steel
Original Pair of 'SZ02' Lounge Chairs by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum, 1960s
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Beautiful pair of modernist ‘SZ02’ lounge chairs designed by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum (Holland) in 1960. These early examples date from the 1970s and still have the original bla...
Steel
Martin Visser SZ01 Easy Chair for 't Spectrum, 1960
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful SZ01 easy chair designed by Martin Visser for Spectrum. This armchair was designed in 1960 and has been in production ever since. this easy chair is from the late 70s / ea...
Wicker
Custom Martin Visser Wenge Floating Credenza, Wall-Mount, 1960s Design
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Floating wall-mount credenza attributed to Dutch Mid-Century designer Martin Visser features a striking contrast between a dark wenge frame and three crisp white sliding panel doors....
Glass, Wood, Wenge
Walter Antonis TE41 Tubular Chrome Coffee Table for ’t Spectrum, 1974
By 't Spectrum, Walter Antonis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walter Antonis designed the TE41 for Dutch manufacturer 't Spectrum in 1974, and it remains his most recognized work. The table's structure is built from continuous tubular chrome th...
Chrome
Dining Chairs SE06 by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The dining chair SE 06 was designed by Martin Visser in 1960 for ‘t Spectrum. The upholstery consists of original black saddle leather, complementing a tubular, brushed stainless ste...
Stainless Steel
Martin Visser Wenge and Green Leather Three Seater Sofa
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, Martin Visser designed, green leather and wenge three seater sofa. Manufactured by the legendary post war furniture manufacturer 't Spectrum. Visser's well execut...
Leather, Wenge
Martin Visser for 'T Spectrum Armchair in Black Leather
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, lounge chair, model 'SZ 02', leather, brushed steel, The Netherlands, 1965 This modern, Minimalist easy chair is made in tubular brushed steel in comb...
Brass, Steel
Set of Four 1960s Martin Visser Wenge and Rush Dining Chairs for 't Spectrum
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome set of 4 wenge and rush dining chairs by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, 1960s. They have slightly curved seat backs with inset rush seats and lightly refinished frames. In o...
Rush, Wenge
Artifort/ ‘t Spectrum SZ10 ’M-Chair’ by Ebbing, Haas & Schudel, 1980s
By 't Spectrum, Artifort, Ton Haas
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
This very rare M-Chair was designed by Hans Ebbing, Ton Haas and Paul Schudel as part of an assignment for the Academy of Arts in Arnhem, The Netherlands, initiated by their teacher ...
Steel
Mid-Century Set of 6 Martin Visser Oak and Leather Dining Chairs by 't Spectrum
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of 6 Mid-Century dining chairs by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum. Highly appealing Modernist design and handsomely streamlined oak frames outfitted with leather strappin...
Leather, Oak
Martin Visser Sofa / Daybed for 't Spectrum – Netherlands, 1960s
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Almelo, NL
Martin Visser Sofa / Daybed for 't Spectrum – Netherlands, 1960s This iconic mid-century modern sofa, designed by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum in the 1960s, is a refined example of...
Steel, Chrome
Mid-Century Martin Visser BZ29 Sofa, Navy Fabric, Black Metal, Teak Arms
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Martin Visser designed the BZ29 sofa in 1960 for Dutch manufacturer 't Spectrum, creating a study in geometric restraint and functional beauty. The architectural frame features black...
Metal
SE06 Leather Dining chairs by Martin Visser for 'T Spectrum, 1967
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in New York, NY
Pair of SE06 Leather Dining chairs by Martin Visser for 'T Spectrum, 1967. Original cognac leather with a brushed steel frame.
Stainless Steel
Gerrit Rietveld Unesco Press Room Chair for Spectrum, 'Colourful Vintage'
By Gerrit Rietveld, 't Spectrum
Located in Tilburg, NL
Gerrit Rietveld designed in 1958 Unesco press room chair for Spectrum - 'Colourful Vintage' Edition 'Colourful Vintage', which means: fabric: Sprinkl...
Metal
Set of two Martin Visser DD01 Bergeijk wall shelves with drawers for Spectrum
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Unique set of two wall cabinets with drawers, designed by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum. The model of these cabinets is called DD01 and come...
Metal
Martin Visser "BR03" for Spectrum Dutch Minimalist Daybed, Sofa, 1960s
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in The Hague, NL
Wonderful Dutch Minimalist modern design sofa / daybed model ''BR03'' designed by Martin Visser for Spectrum 1960s, The Netherlands. Magnificent Minimalist design with black metal f...
Metal
Jan Pieter Berghoef Blue & White Lounge Chair for Spectrum, Netherlands, 1960s
By 't Spectrum
Located in Weesp, NL
Jan Pieter Berghoef Blue & White Lounge Chair for Spectrum, Netherlands, 1960s A striking example of Dutch modernism, this lounge chair was designed by architect Jan Pieter Berghoef...
Fabric, Wood
$3,071Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid century Bauhaus style dining set by t Spectrum, Netherlands 1960s
By 't Spectrum, Walter Antonis, Claire Bataille
Located in ECHT, NL
Mid century minimalist dining set. It consists of a square table with a glass top and 4 chairs. The chairs have a steel tube frame with fabric covered backs and seats. They have the ...
Metal
2012 Martin Visser for Spectrum SB07 Counter Height Stool in Leather
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (the price listed is for each stool, though multiples stools are available) SB07 counter stool, designed by Martin Visser and produced by Spectrum in The ...
Stainless Steel
Martin Visser BR02 Sofa/ Sofa bed/ Daybed by ‘t Spectrum, Dutch Mid-Century
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Listed is an iconic BR02 sofa / sofa bed / daybed by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum. Designed in 1960, this minimalist sofa can be converted in bed with one simple movement. Model no....
Stainless Steel
Pair of 'SZ62' Lounge Chairs by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum, 1964
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Pair of modernist ‘SZ62’ lounge chairs designed by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum in 1964. This model has actually only been produced for 5 years between 1964-1969 so it’s a lot less ...
Metal
Pair of 'SZ01' Lounge Chairs by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, 1960s
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Beautiful pair of ‘SZ01’ lounge chairs designed by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum in 1960. The model number SZ01 refers to the wicker material in which these chairs are made. It’s a ...
Steel
Rascal Chair by Niall O’Flynn for Spectrum
By Niall O'Flynn, 't Spectrum
Located in Toronto, CA
In the creation of the Rascal chair for Dutch furniture brand Spectrum, designer Niall O’Flynn marries his architectural vision with the brand’s commitme...
Steel
Dark brown ‘DZ84’ mirror by Benno Premsela for ‘t Spectrum
By 't Spectrum, Benno Premsela
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This mirror, model DZ84, was designed by Benno Premsela for 't Spectrum. A minimalistic and very exciting design. The contrast and playfulness of the round frame and the square mirro...
Mirror, Wood, Plywood
Rare Original Gerrit Rietveld “tz77” Coffee Table for ‘t Spectrum, 1968. Signed.
By 't Spectrum, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Beerse, VAN
Rare and original Gerrit Rietveld "tz77" coffee table for 't Spectrum, 1968. This table is a beautiful example of a typical Rietveld design due to its "simplicity", use of straight ...
Wood
Limited Edition Piet Hein Eek MVPHE Easy Chair for Spectrum
By 't Spectrum, Piet Hein Eek
Located in Tilburg, NL
Limited edition Piet Hein Eek MVPHE easy chair for Spectrum, The Netherlands. Piet Hein Eek designed the quirky MVPHE armchair with round shapes as a tribute to his friend and designer Martin Visser...
Fabric, Beech
White ‘DZ84’ mirror by Benno Premsela for ‘t Spectrum, The Netherlands 1950's
By 't Spectrum, Benno Premsela
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This mirror, model DZ84, was designed by Benno Premsela for 't Spectrum. A minimalistic and very exciting design. The contrast and playfulness of the round frame and the square mirro...
Mirror, Plywood
Martin Visser Wenge Table for 't Spectrum, Netherlands, Circa 1960s
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in San Antonio, TX
Dutch mid-century modern wenge wood rectangular table with formica top designed by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, circa 1960s. This Scandinavian modern table features a pull out leaf...
Formica, Wenge
1960s Martin Visser SE 06 Leather & Chrome Chairs, Set of 4
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Martin Visser for the Dutch manufacturer 't Spectrum, the SE 06 is a study in restraint. Four-legged tubular metal frames support flat leather seat and backrest panels, h...
Chrome
Werner Blaser Floor Lamp VE03 't Spectrum, Holland, 1964
By Werner Blaser, 't Spectrum
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare modernist floor lamp model VE03 designed by Werner Blaser and manufactured by 't Spectrum, The Netherlands, 1964. This rare floor lamp was only in production for 3 years and I h...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Martin Visser Bookcase 't Spectrum, Holland, 1965
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice modernist bookcase unit model WW72 designed by Martin Visser and manufactured by 't Spectrum, Holland, 1965. This unit has black ebonized wooden s...
Beech
Jan Pieter Berghoef for Spectrum – Pair of SZ 85 Lounge Chairs, 1968
By 't Spectrum
Located in Voorburg, NL
A rare and striking pair of SZ 85 lounge chairs designed by Jan Pieter Berghoef for Spectrum in the 1968/1969 (signed). These bold, industrial-style armchairs embody the forward-thin...
Upholstery, Plywood
Martin Visser Twello nesting tables
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in BE
Martin Visser Twello nesting tables This is a very rare set of Twello nesting tables designed by famous dutch designer Martin Visser. He designed these in 1956 for the famous manufac...
Formica