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 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
Wenge, Formica and Glass Coffee Table with Rattan Basket by Kho Liang Ie
By 't Spectrum, Kho Liang Ie
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
$3,147Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid century Bauhaus style dining set by t Spectrum, Netherlands 1960s
By Claire Bataille, Walter Antonis, 't Spectrum
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 '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
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 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
$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
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
Pine Dining Table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, Sweden, 1960s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Yngve Ekström
Located in Dronten, NL
A distinctive Scandinavian Modern dining table designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Swedese in the 1960s. Crafted in solid pine, the table exemplifies Ekström’s commitment to fu...
Pine
$1,045Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 41.34 in D 41.34 in
Mid century dining set, Denmark 1960’s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Elegant mid century scandinavian dining set consisting of 4 spindle chairs and a round dining table. The chairs and table are made from teak. The table has a nice round top mounted...
Fabric, Teak
$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
$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
$4,629
H 14.97 in Dm 43.31 in
Rare original Model: HB110 Coffee table by Horst Bruning for Kill international
By Horst Bruning, Kill International
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
An iconic piece of late 1960s modernist design, this original HB 110 coffee table by Horst Brüning for Kill International captures the refined elegance and architectural clarity of t...
Stainless Steel
Flower Coffee Table by Kho Liang le for Artifort, 1960s
By Kho Liang Ie, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Wonderful "Flowertable" designed by Kho Liang Ie, manufactured by Artifort, the Netherlands ca. 1960. The table consists of an enameled tulip base with a white laminated top. The ...
Polyester, Wood
$1,426Sale Price|20% Off
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
$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
McGuire Rattan Coffee Table with Glass Top
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Highland, IN
Elinor McGuire designed coffee table for McGuire of San Fransisco, the company she started with her husband John. McGuire furniture is made to last generations. Not only is the desig...
Leather, Rattan
$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 Michel Boyer, Rouve
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
Martin Visser Round Dining Table in Wengé for 't Spectrum
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, dining table, in Wenge´ and wood, the Netherlands, 1960s. Beautiful wengé dining table with round top, divided into three parts. The base consist of...
Wood, Wenge
Sold
H 29 in W 67 in D 33.5 in
Martin Visser and Walter Antonis for 't Spectrum Extendable Wenge Dining Table
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser, Walter Antonis
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 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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 't Spectrum, Werner Blaser
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
Martin Visser for Spectrum round coffee table in Teak, Netherlands - 1965
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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
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 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
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