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.
Paperback Shelf By Spectrum
By 't Spectrum
Located in Toronto, CA
By Spectrum Designed By Studio Parade Size Large A pure and playful wall system designed out of love for books. The fuller the cupboard, the more bea...
Wood
Paperback Shelf By Spectrum
By 't Spectrum
Located in Toronto, CA
By Spectrum Designed By Studio Parade Size Medium A pure and playful wall system designed out of love for books. The fuller the cupboard, the more be...
Wood
Paperback Shelf, Modern Hand-Crafted Wood Wall System, 21st Century
By 't Spectrum
Located in Toronto, CA
By Spectrum Designed By Studio Parade Size Small A pure and playful wall system designed out of love for books. The fuller the cupboard, the more bea...
Wood
$328 / item
H 2.17 in W 18.9 in D 7.49 in
Curved Rattan Floating Shelf, Hand-Crafted, Mid-Century Modern, 2010+
Located in Oxford, GB
Indulge your space with the unique aesthetic of this Pencil Reed Rattan Curved Floating Shelf. Crafted from natural materials, this shelf exudes quality and longevity. Its curved des...
Rattan
$4,819 / item
H 15.75 in W 11.82 in D 8.67 in
21st Century Marcantonio Apothecary Cabinet Wood Inlay Scapin Collezioni
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
First-Aid Box, design by Marcantonio for Scapin Collezioni First-Aid Box is produced in limited edition of eight pieces. The external, exclusively inlaid with ramage pattern, is enriched with an iconic detail such as the blood drop...
Wood
e15 Mate Shelf by Florian Asche
By e15, Florian Asche
Located in New York, NY
The distinct solid wood shelf unit Mate is leant against the wall and thus expresses casual spontaneity. The shelves are fastened to the backboard by means of a classic dovetail join...
Wood
$470Sale Price|57% Off
H 11.75 in W 35.25 in D 8.5 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Pedersen & Hansen Teak Wood Floating Wall Shelf
By Pedersen & Hansen
Located in Savannah, GA
This handsome Pedersen & Hansen teak floating modernist wall shelf is from the Mid-20th Century and has a storage depth of 7.25 inches on bott...
Teak
$1,764
H 5.91 in W 14.57 in D 9.45 in
21st Century Contemporary Marble Shelf Handmade Italy by Ilaria Bianchi
By Ilaria Bianchi
Located in Milan, IT
Marble Lepanto and France Handmade in Italy 37x24xh15 cm This one-of-a-kind design shelf is completely handmade in savaging marble elements from the production cycle. Duo Shelf i...
Marble
$2,001 / set
H 18.9 in W 24.81 in D 12.6 in
21st Century Verter Turroni White Fibreglass Modular Bookshelf Shelf Shelving
By Verter Turroni, Imperfettolab
Located in Longiano, IT
Favo bookshelves and containers, modular wall elements in fibreglass. The individual modules can be juxtaposed, turned around and multiple, 2 elements but various combinations of shapes. Favo positioned in a seemingly casual pattern allows everything to find its ideal place. Designer: Verter...
Fiberglass
Jacques Adnet-Style Faux Leather Wall Shelf, Hand-Crafted Vintage
By Hermès, Jacques Adnet
Located in Round Top, TX
Hermès-style wall-mounted shelf with faux leather bracket made of painted metal. The shelf has been created in the style of Jacques Adnet, the iconic French designer of home goods ...
Metal
e15 Profil Shelf by Jörg Schellmann
By e15, Jörg Schellmann
Located in New York, NY
Evoking associations with minimal art, the wall-mounted shelf profil by Jörg Schellmann bears a distinct sculptural appeal. The aluminum shelf is produ...
Aluminum
Glass shelf produced by Veca
By Fontana Arte, VECA
Located in Lugo, IT
Glass shelf made by Veca. Wall mounting plates included. Reflections in the photo. Good condition. Thank you.
Steel
Bendy Shelf by Studiopepe for Mingardo
By Studiopepe, Mingardo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bendy Shelf designed by Studiopepe for Mingardo. Bendy is a shelf built of a single stainless steel foil with brass or matte nickel finishing, that produces a substantial support sur...
Stainless Steel, Brass, Nickel
$1,628 / set
H 22.05 in W 40.56 in D 13 in
21st Century Verter Turroni White Fibreglass Modular Bookshelf Shelf Shelving
By Verter Turroni, Imperfettolab
Located in Longiano, IT
Favo bookshelves and containers, modular wall elements in fibreglass. Available in 2 different designs and sizes. The individual modules can be juxtaposed, turned around and multiple, 2 elements but various combinations of shapes. Favo positioned in a seemingly casual pattern allows everything to find its ideal place. Designer: Verter Turroni...
Fiberglass
$2,593
H 39.38 in W 31.5 in D 9.85 in
21st Century Contemporary Wood Console Table Handmade in Italy by Ilaria Bianchi
By Ilaria Bianchi
Located in Milan, IT
The elegant 21st-century Rennie console table by Ilaria Bianchi is handcrafted in solid Walnut and Ash wood with polished brass joinery. Furniture is pleasantly carved into a beautiful wood decoration. The surface and the leg are made of Walnut wood, and the bent elements are in Ash wood. The console is conceved to be joint to the wall while sizes are customizable. The item is of excellent proportion, and one can easily place it in different parts of the house. Rennie table was inspired by the Art deco style and warmth of traditional Italian houses...
Brass
DD01 Drawer Unit by Martin Visser for 'T Spectrum, 1950's
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This (ton-sur-ton) grey drawer unit was designed by Martin Visser for 'T Spectrum in the 1950's. The cabinet has s grey lacquered metal frame with a grey l...
Metal
Martin Visser DD01 Wall Mount Shelf for 'T Spectrum
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Martin Visser wall shelf 'MODEL DD01' for 'T Spectrum, 1950s. Off white enameled metal frame with natural wood drawer. Sleek minimalist design and beautiful contrast of material...
Metal
Sold
H 6.7 in W 20.87 in D 7.88 in
Set of 3 Highly Rare Small 'Delft' Shelves by Constant Nieuwenhuys, 1950s
By 't Spectrum, Constant Nieuwenhuys
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This set of 3 shelves, model 'Delft', was designed by Constant Nieuwenhuys for 't Spectrum in 1957. Nieuwenhuys was a member of the CoBrA movement. He is known as a fine artist, musician, writer and he was also known for his visionary architectural work, known as 'New Babylon'. The last few years several exhibitions have been held in museums in the Netherlands on the work of Constant Nieuwenhuijs...
Metal
