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.
Pair of 'SZ01' Lounge Chairs by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, 1960s
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
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
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
Gerrit Rietveld Unesco Press Room Chair for Spectrum, 'Colourful Vintage'
By 't Spectrum, Gerrit Rietveld
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
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
Limited Edition Piet Hein Eek MVPHE Easy Chair for Spectrum
By Piet Hein Eek, 't Spectrum
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
Pair of 'SZ62' Lounge Chairs by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum, 1964
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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
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
$67,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.34 in W 10.63 in D 10.95 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-32-A Upholstered Easy Armchair
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An exceptional pair of authentic vintage Pierre Jeanneret upholstered easy chairs. These chairs have untouched frames in solid teak...
Teak
$3,850
H 36.75 in W 31 in D 29 in
Danish 1940s Easy Chair with Channeled Backrest and Open Armrests in Beech
By Alfred Christensen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic elegant Danish high back armchair from the 1940s by Alfred Christensen for Slagelse Mobelvaerk with open armrests in beautifully carved stained mahogany. Very elegant sculptu...
Wool, Birch
$32,500 / set
H 32 in W 25.25 in D 31 in
Majestic Pair of Thebes Loungers by John Hutton for Randolph & Hein, circa 1975
By John Hutton, Randolph & Hein
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent lounge chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. Expert...
Mahogany
Danish Early 1950s Easy Lounge Chair
By Alfred Christensen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A design that will just never go out of style. Classic Danish early 1950's Easy style lounge chair. Original grey wool fabric with diamond pattern. Strong presence and generous size....
Wool, Beech
Danish 1940's Easy Lounge or Club Chair with Oak Armrests
By Fritz Hansen, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant easy chair from the late 1940s very typical of Fritz Hansen's design style both in terms of legs and armrests leading many dealers in Denmark to believe the chair is indeed ...
Wool, Oak
Danish 1940s Lowback Easy Lounge Chair
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A design that will just never go out of style. Classic Danish early 1950's Easy lounge chair. Original grey wool fabric with diamond pattern. Strong presence and generous size. Padd...
Wool, Beech
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
Customizable Artifort Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in New York, NY
A completely upholstered design by Pierre Paulin from 1966 and a professional, innovative vision on the well-known ribbon form. Metal frame with horizontal springs, covered with foam...
Textile
Gerrit Rietveld, Red and Blue Chair / Authentic Chair
By Gerrit Rietveld Jr.
Located in Zürich, CH
Here we see a playful kind of experimentation, different from the average modern design, which is more well-behaved and dogmatic. It’s radical, it’s curious, it pushes boundaries. That is a one-of-a-kind piece – unique and outstanding, it holds a museum exhibit quality. An artefact for collectors and connoisseurs. A piece without any compromises. Highly valuable, rarely even offered by auction houses. However, it comes with a price. Originally designed in 1917, this chair is a true representation and one of the first pieces of De Stijl movement. Founded in the Netherlands as a reaction against the horrors of WWI, its visual language consisted of pure, geometrical forms and primary colours. As forms and shapes tended to establish balance and harmony in a world of chaos, this piece is a manifestation of the idea. Some of the first chairs were made for the "Rietveld Schröder House...
Aluminum
$3,950 / set
H 27.76 in W 27.96 in D 30.32 in
Set of 2 Easy Chairs by Martin Visser for 'T Spectrum, 1960s
By Dick van der Net, 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin Visser
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This 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...
Metal
$1,783Sale Price|30% Off
H 38.59 in W 31.5 in D 35.44 in
1970's Fiberglass Lounge / Easy Chair Model "Tina" by Risto Halme for Peem Oy
By Risto Halme, PEEM Finland
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Wonderful Space Age lounge chair by Risto Halme for Peem Oy ,Finland. Frame made of fiberglass, upholstered with dark purple leather. Named "Tina". The seat can be adjusted to any ...
Leather, Fiberglass
$4,529 / set
H 27.17 in W 28.35 in D 26.78 in
Pair of Scandinavian Easy Chairs with Teak and Leather by Westnofa, 1960s
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Beautiful "Scandinavian Modern" easy chairs, by Westnofa, made in the 1960s. The chairs are made from teak and high quality aniline leather and come fully restored.
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 27.96 in W 30.71 in D 31.89 in
Lounge Chair Model "Osaka SZ08" designed by Martin Visser, Dutch Sixties Design
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Antwerp, BE
A beautiful, rare armchair with a chromed steel base and black corderoy upholstery showing some signs of wear. The Osaka SZ08 lounge armchair was designed by Martin Visser for Spect...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 26.78 in W 23.63 in D 26.78 in
Cognac Leather 'SZ02' Lounge Chair by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, 1960
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Beautiful model ‘SZ02’ lounge chair designed by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum in 1960. This early example has beautiful deep cognac colored saddle leather with a fantastic patina tha...
Steel
Sold
H 27.56 in W 27.96 in D 30.32 in L 27.56 in
Rare Pair of 'SZ08' Lounge Chairs by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, 1960s
By Dick van der Net, 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Beautiful pair of model ‘SZ08’ lounge chairs designed by Martin Visser in collaboration with Dick Van Der Net for ‘t Spectrum in 1960. This model is only produced for a couple of yea...
Metal
Sold
H 26.97 in W 23.63 in D 26.78 in
Early Pair of 'SZ02' Lounge Chairs by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum, 1960s
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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...
Metal
Sold
H 30.25 in W 31.13 in D 31 in
Martin Visser Cantilever Cube Chrome Wicker Modern Lounge Chairs and Tables
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser, Marcel Breuer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Marrying structural daring with mid-century elegance, this Martin Visser cantilevered lounge set—crafted in the 1970s for Spectrum—becomes a bold statement in both form and comfort. ...
Chrome
Sold
H 27.96 in W 27.96 in D 25.6 in
Walter Antonis SZ14 lounge chair ‘t Spectrum The Netherlands 1971, set of 2
By Walter Antonis, 't Spectrum
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Beautiful patinated pair of low lounge chairs model sz12 designed by walter antonis and manufactured by ‘t spectrum bergeijk, holland 1971. These chairs were in the collection from 1971-1974, so not many were made. These very nice and unusual shaped low lounge chairs have a stainless steel tubular frame with beautiful thick saddle leather which has a stunning patina from age and usage. This is for someone who loves chairs with a lot of character and beauty like these two. The leather is in good condition, reconditioned and has no holes or tears. They are very comfortable. Measurements: w 67 d 65 h 67 cm Seating height: 35 cm Leather is re-conditioned with a leather care...
Steel, Chrome
Martin Visser SZ01 rattan lounge/easy chair
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in BE
Martin Visser SZ01 lounge/easy chair The SZ01 armchair is an example of true Dutch design work. This chair is designed by one of the most famous des...
Rattan
Martin Visser for 't Spectrum SZ 67 Lounge Chair
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Norwalk, CT
Indulge 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 ...
Steel
Sold
H 35.44 in W 31.11 in D 33.86 in
Nagoya SZ09 black lounge chair by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum Netherlands
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Nagoya SZ09 black lounge chair by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum Netherlands. It was designed for the Osaka series in 1969 for the Dutch pavilion at the World Expo in Tokyo. Manufactu...
Chrome
Sold
H 27.56 in W 31.11 in D 30.71 in
sz08/Osaka 1 lounge chair by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, The Netherlands 1969
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This model SZ-08 lounge chair was designed by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum in 1969 (collection 1969-1974). It is part of the Osaka series that was exhibited at the World Fair in Jap...
Metal
Sold
H 27.56 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in
Set of Two Leather "Osaka" Lounge Chairs by Martin Visser for 'T Spectrum, 1970s
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in DE MEERN, NL
SET OF TWO ARMCHAIRS "OSAKA ZS08" BY MARTIN VISSER FOR 'T SPECTRUM, NETHERLANDS 1969S If you're looking for a stylish and comfortable addition to your living space, the vintage brow...
Chrome
Martin Visser Wenge and Coral Leather Lounge Chair For 't Spectrum
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Coral leather lounge chair was designed by Martin Visser for t' Spectrum. The chair has a solid wenge frame, leather armrests, decorative leather tassels on the cushion backs and hea...
Leather, Wenge