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.
Walter Antonis TE41 Tubular Chrome Coffee Table for ’t Spectrum, 1974
By 't Spectrum, Walter Antonis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walter Antonis TE41 Tubular Chrome Coffee Table for ’t Spectrum, 1974 A standout of Dutch postwar design, the TE41 coffee table was created in 1974 by architect and designer Walter ...
Chrome
Wenge, Formica and Glass Coffee Table with Rattan Basket by Kho Liang Ie
By Kho Liang Ie, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, wenge and smoked glass coffee table by Kho Liang Ie and produced by famed Dutch post war furniture manufacturer 't Spectrum. This well designed table has a handsom...
Rattan, Glass, Formica, Wenge
Martin Visser - Round Wengé Table
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Brussels, BE
Stunning round dining table in wengé, designed by Martin Visser in the 1960s. The tabletop is divided into three distinct segments, showcasing the rich, expressive grain typical of t...
Wenge
Rare Original Gerrit Rietveld “tz77” Coffee Table for ‘t Spectrum, 1968. Signed.
By Gerrit Rietveld, 't Spectrum
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
Martin Visser for Spectrum round coffee table in Teak, Netherlands - 1965
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Round coffee table in Teak designed by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, Netherlands - 1965. Designer: Martin Visser Manufacturer: Spectrum Model: Coffee table Design period: 1965 Date ...
Metal
$3,110Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid century Bauhaus style dining set by t Spectrum, Netherlands 1960s
By 't Spectrum, Claire Bataille, Walter Antonis
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
Martin Visser Wenge Table for 't Spectrum, Netherlands, Circa 1960s
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
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
Martin Visser Twello nesting tables
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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
$2,173
H 12.6 in W 58.27 in D 20.48 in
Large "Marcel T" Chrome Coffee Table by K. Takahama for Cassina, Italy 1974
By Kazuhide Takahama, Cassina
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning and very rare “Marcel T” coffee table in chrome-plated steel and crystal, designed by Kazuhide Takahama and produced by Cassina in 1974 as a tribute to Marcel Breuer’s iconi...
Crystal, Chrome, Stainless Steel
$4,500 / set
H 36 in W 16 in D 21 in
Fun Orange Slice 1960s Dining Table Four Chairs Probber Style Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Gorgeous fun set of four dining chairs with matching orange slice flower dining table. All the metal frames have been freshly powder coated in the same exact color they originally we...
Metal
$2,250
H 13.625 in W 39.5 in D 39.5 in
Mid-Century Martin Visser Style Coffee Table, Slate Top, Chrome Cube Legs
By Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extra-large Mid-Century coffee table commands attention with thick chrome cube legs and handsome natural slate top. The geometric base creates a floating effect while providing subst...
Slate, Chrome
$1,295
H 16 in W 39.25 in D 39.25 in
Mid Century Modern Smoked Glass Cocktail Table by Kho Liang for Artifort
By Kho Liang Ie
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous cast aluminum cocktail table with a smoked glass top inset. Tube legs with flat bars connecting the sides. Well constructed piece as fittings are ti...
Aluminum
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.5 in W 55 in D 24 in
Post Modern Formica and Glass Coffee Table After Panton, C 1970's
By Verner Panton
Located in New York, NY
Post Modern coffee, or cocktail, table having dramatic C shaped black formica ends which support the thick ( .50 in. ) plate glass center panel. Design reminiscent of Verner Panton...
Glass, Formica
$4,350 / item
H 17 in W 40 in D 40 in
Modern Round Findley Coffee Table in Cerused Oak by Martin and Brockett
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Martin & Brockett's Findley Round Coffee Table features the Findley Collection’s signature carved, curved lip and round pedestal base. Shown in Cerused Oak finish H 17 in. x W 40 in...
Oak
$950
H 14.75 in W 29.75 in D 29.75 in
Martin Visser (attr) Square Stone Top Side or Coffee Table with Metal Frame
By Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Martin Visser (attributed) square coffee or side table with thin black enameled metal frame and inset stone top. Attractive and sleek with a well balanced use of mixed materials this...
Slate, Metal
$1,761
H 11.82 in W 38.98 in D 24.81 in
Midcentury Smoked Glass and Chrome-Plated Tubular Coffee Table Mayen Style 1970s
By Paul Mayen
Located in Roma, IT
Mid-Century Modern smoked glass coffee table in chrome-plated tubular in the style of Paul Mayen. A great example of 1970s design, ...
Metal
$11,300Sale Price|24% Off
H 15.25 in Dm 58 in
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Rosewood Lazy Susan Rotating Coffee Table, 1968
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This newly restored rotating Lazy-Susan cocktail table was designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Thayer Coggin in crica 1968. Featuring a stunning Rosewood top with vivid grain a...
Rosewood, Formica
$5,500
H 14.18 in W 27.56 in D 39.38 in
Rare Sculptual Form 'MBR 03' Coffee Table by Michel Boyer for Rouve, Paris, 1968
By Rouve, Michel Boyer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful minimalist sculptural form ' MBR 03' coffee table designed in 1968 by French master designer Michel Boyer for Rouve, Paris. Michel Boyer designed a small series of 'MBR' white laminate tables with varying overall dimensions and proportions of inset storage compartments but all based on the same theme. These tables were produced in small numbers in 1968 by the high end Avant Garde manuacturer Rouve who were based in Rue Bonaparte in Paris. Please see copy of original Rouve advert (image 2) which documents this exact model, the 'MBR 03'. The table is high quality and extremely heavy for its dimensions, finished in elegant white laminate with elegant detailing such as the rounded corners and inset storage compartments, for bottles, plants, magazines etc which add greatly to the overall sculptural form. The white minimalist form is supported on a hardwood plinth and clearly shows influences from the 'Groupe de Recherche d'art Visuel' artists based in Paris who were creating experimental works in both kinetic and op art during the same period as well as the scene eminating out of the 'Galerie Rene Denise' who were exhibiting these key 1960s artworks One of Michel Boyer's most famous interior design projects was for the interior of the Rothschild bank in Paris in 1970, please see image 6, where he installed a number of his white laminate 'MBR' tables alongside a series of dramatic wall hung 'Espaces chromatiques carrés' kinetic cubic light sculptures by the artist Gregorio Vardanega...
Laminate, Wood, Hardwood
$9,350Sale Price|33% Off
H 18.5 in W 59 in D 26.5 in
Rare Pia Manu Brutalist Coffee Table, circa 1969 Belgium, Signed
By Pia Manu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredible Pia Manu brutalist coffee table, circa 1965-1970s, with brutalist cast resin artwork top over a brushed copper-tone steel frame and base. This stunning piece of functional art is signed on top 'Pia Manu'. Excellent cocktail table for art and design collectors, connoisseurs, investors and interior designers looking for a rare and unique statement piece with sophistication and refinement. Pia Manu was known for their use of intriguing and eye-catching designs using slate...
Steel
Tubular Coffee Table in Oak and Chromed Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Coffee table, oak, chromed metal, Europe, 1930s This coffee table reflects the influence of early Modernism. The design combines a tubular chromed metal frame with two rectangular o...
Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 67 in D 33.5 in
Martin Visser and Walter Antonis for 't Spectrum Extendable Wenge Dining Table
By Martin Visser, Walter Antonis, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small extendable Wenge dining table with original darker leaf. Very cool two-toned look when extended. Unique telescoping extension. Would pair nicely with a set of Wenge and rush di...
Metal
Sold
H 15.25 in W 56.5 in D 28.75 in
Large Mid-Century Wenge Coffee Table with Asymmetrical Legs by Martin Visser
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy Martin Visser wenge coffee table with asymmetrical legs. Typical of Visser, this is a form-follows-function design, but also has just the right amount of unique visual appeal. ...
Wenge
Sold
H 16.54 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
TZ75 Tripod Coffee Table by Werner Blaser for Spectrum, Netherlands, 1960's
By Werner Blaser, 't Spectrum
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Dutch Space Age Design Tripod Coffee Table by Werner Blaser for 't Spectrum. Model TZ 75. Made in the Netherlands, 1960's / 1970's period. Bent wood dark stained t...
Glass, Bentwood
Sold
H 28.63 in W 98.5 in D 42.125 in
Martin Visser Wenge Top, Double Pedestal Base "TC06" Dining or Conference Table
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Martin Visser "TC06/TC07" double pedestal dining table with steel and black enameled metal base. Designed in 1970 by Dutch post-war designer Martin Visser for acclaimed manufacturer ...
Metal
Sold
H 28.63 in W 98.5 in D 42.13 in
Martin Visser Dining/Conference Table "TC06/TC07" w/ Custom top in Baltic Birch
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Martin Visser 'TC06/TC07' large dining table or conference table with double pedestal steel and black enameled metal base for 't Spectrum. The beautiful custom top is made of Baltic ...
Birch, Plywood
Sold
H 28.35 in Dm 47.25 in
Oak round dining table with crossed leg by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum, 1960s
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Antwerp, BE
Magnificent round dining table with crossed leg by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum, dating from the 1960s. This table features a solid oak frame and veneered oak top. Presented in a ve...
Oak
Sold
H 28.5 in W 29 in D 63 in
Martin Visser for 't Spectrum "TE21" or "Weert" Wenge Table with Formica top
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Martin Visser modernist "Weert" dining table with wenge edging, inset white formica top, black enameled metal legs, and dark stained trim. Manufactured between 1959-1966. Lightly ref...
Metal
Cross Legged Dining Table by Martin Visser, 1970s
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage round dining table with a black ash wood table top divided in three parts and a solid wooden cross legged base. Beautiful timeles...
Ash
Martin Visser Model TE06 Round Dining Table for 't Spectrum
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum in 1960, the Model TE06 is a timeless design: A minimalist wenge dining table with black pedestal base where Visser's wish to make accessibl...
Wenge
Sold
H 11.82 in W 63 in D 16.54 in
Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum "BZ 81" Wenge Slate Bench, 1960s Dutch Design
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimalistic Dutch design wenge slat bench designed by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum in 1961's. This is an original version (model: BZ -81, marked) designed in 1960/1961 for het Sted...
Wood, Wenge
Lucite & Bronze Pedestal Base Dining Table by Spectrum
By 't Spectrum
Located in Dallas, TX
An elegant lucite and solid bronze center pedestal dining table with custom glass top. This glamorous piece is structurally sound and in v...
Bronze
Sold
H 27.56 in W 56.3 in D 31.11 in
Paul Ibens and Claire Bataille TE21 Dining Table, ’t Spectrum, Netherlands, 1970
By Claire Bataille and Paul Ibens, 't Spectrum
Located in London, GB
Paul Ibens and Claire Bataille met at the Henry Van de Velde Institute in Antwerp in the early 1960s. They formed a creative partnership in 1968 which has lasted for over four decade...
Stainless Steel