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.
Custom Martin Visser Floating Wenge Wall Mount Credenza w/ Record Player Cabinet
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century floating wall mount credenza by the iconic and innovative designer Martin Visser. This gorgeously designed piece features a hidden record player space with a flip-t...
Glass, Wood, Wenge
$2,125
H 24.5 in W 17.75 in D 33.5 in
Danish Modern Tambour Doors Teak & Iron Small Credenza Record Cabinet
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in San Diego, CA
Versatile Teak tambour door small credenza, with solid iron base by FB Mobler, refinished nice solid pipe iron base and shelf refinished great for records TV Stereo .
Iron
Paul Evans Floating Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern credenza by Paul Evans for "Directional". Burl walnut veneer patch work panels with metal patch work base. Signed on the left side base. (Please confirm item loca...
Chrome
Floating Storage Cabinet
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This floating storage cabinet from the Cali collection is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each unit is handmade with sol...
Walnut
Pace Carpathian Elm-Burl Floating Wall Mounted Sideboard
By Pace Collection
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pace Carpathian Elm-Burl Floating Wall Mounted Sideboard
Wood, Burl
$2,956Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 72.5 in D 17.5 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Credenza Bar/Record Cabinet, Uk Import
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern credenza bar/record cabinet. UK Import. Dimensions. 72 1/2 W ; 17 1/2 D ; 31 H.
Wood
Italian-Style Carved Wood Credenza Cabinet w/Custom Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian inspired, American made carved wood, two-door buffet cabinet. This vintage console cabinet has been beautifully designed with Italian influences, and created out of old, r...
Wood
$6,750 / item
H 18.75 in W 69.75 in D 21.75 in
CraftAssociates Credenza, Eiger Modern Walnut Credenza, 1702, Floating
By Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Credenza, Eiger Modern Walnut Credenza, 1702, Floating This Eiger Modern Walnut Credenza Craft Associates® furniture is expertly crafted. The base is constructed by ...
Maple, Walnut
$4,200 / item
H 24 in W 16 in D 84 in
Douglas Vinyl Record Storage Cabinet / Credenza Walnut Mid-Century Modern Shelf
By Pete Deeble
Located in Long Beach, CA
This walnut beauty is the perfect way to showcase your records, 84" long x 16" deep x 24" tall. This is an original design, and is handcrafted in Long Beach, CA by Pete Deeble Furnit...
Walnut
Oak Slatted Credenza / Sideboard With Record Player Hatch
Located in Portland, OR
Solid wood credenza / sideboard with slatted screen doors in white oak built by Material in Portland, Oregon. This piece is outfitted with a top hatch door for access to a space for ...
Oak
$9,000 / set
H 21 in W 68 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern 3 Piece Walnut Chrome Tobocman Wall Hanging Floating Credenza
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A gorgeous 3 piece walnut and chrome Tobocman hanging/floating credenza set. This stunning wall unit set features a walnut construction with a semi-glossy finish, and rectangular chrome drawer handles. This set of 3 comes unattached but can be hung together seamlessly. Each piece contains 6 large pull out drawers that pull out smoothly and sturdily. This shelving set also includes a glass top that is not pictured above. The glass is in very good condition, additional info and photos can be requested if interested. This whole set is in very good condition. Individually, this set measures...
Walnut
$13,200 / item
H 33 in W 53 in D 15 in
Media Credenza, Cabinet, Storage, Midcentury, Danish Weave, Custom, Wood, Shelf
By Semigood Design
Located in Issaquah, WA
Mid-century inspired hardwood cabinet with woven Danish Cord doors. The lead time provided is an estimate and may extend up to 12 months. If you require delivery by a specific date, we kindly recommend inquiring prior to purchase to ensure availability. This solid hardwood cabinet floats between two classically Rian style stanchions, and our signature woven doors. Adjustable shelving, vented back, soft close door/drawer hardware and hand carved drawer pulls are just some of the features of this piece. Solid wood construction and mortise and tenon joinery ensure this piece will last for generations and like all of our products the Rian Media Credenza...
Cord, Hardwood
$1,836Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 39 in D 17 in
Vintage Danish Mid-Century Modern Record Media Cabinet or Credenza. UK Import
Located in Seattle, WA
Mid-century Danish Modern rosewood cabinet in style of Kai Kristiansen, manufactured in Denmark with adjustable shelf, with two sliding doors, raised on tapered legs. Cabinet could be use as entry way cabinet...
Rosewood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 63 in D 17.72 in
Sideboard by Martin Visser and Jos Manders for ‘t Spectrum, The Netherlands 1958
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Antwerp, BE
Modernist sideboard designed by Martin Visser and Jos Manders for ‘t Spectrum, The Netherlands, 1958. This is Model No. ‘KW87’ made out of wenge, white pai...
Metal
Martin Visser Floating Wall Mount Credenza for 't Spectrum
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome wall mounted credenza by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum. Lightly refinished wengé wood casing with white sliding doors and shelves. In original overall condition with visible...
Wenge, Wood
Martin Visser Teak Sideboard with Industrial Base
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome midcentury teak sideboard with double sliding doors on a new made black enameled metal base. Lightly refinished with blonde shelves. In overall good condition with some wear...
Metal
Rare Martin Visser Bornholm KW63 Sideboard for Spectrum, 1950s
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare teak Bornholm KW63 modular storage system with 2 cabinets and a small square 2-tiered metal and glass by Martin Visser for Spectrum, 1950s. Storage cabinets are teak with white ...
Metal