Vintage Dutch Design Leather BZ55 Sofa by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Martin Visser (Designer),'t Spectrum (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.56 in (70 cm)Width: 96.46 in (245 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1968
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Oostrum-Venray, NL
- Reference Number:
Martin Visser
Martin Visser was a Dutch furniture-designer and art-collector. Visser started designing at a young age, but most of all he was an art collector. His collection contains works of a cobra, Anselm Kiefer and Keith Haring. His focus was on young and promising artists. The Kröller-Müller museum accommodates over 400 works of Vissers art-collection. Vissers's career as a designer started at department store De Bijenkorf. From 1955, he became head of production and design of ’t Spectrum. For this company, Visser designed numerous items, including the table.
't Spectrum
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Oostrum-Venray, Netherlands
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Martin Visser coffee table model TZ 56 7K made by 't SpectrumBy Martin VisserLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLMartin Visser coffee table model TZ 56 7K made by 't Spectrum White Martin Visser coffee table model TZ 56 7K designed for 't Spectrum in 1964. This coffee table has a chromed base...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsReclaimed Wood
- Mario Bellini Amanta Modular Sofa in Orange Leather for C&B Italy, 1960sBy Mario BelliniLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLMario Bellini Amanta modular sofa in orange leather for C&B Italy, 1960s. Four separate elements can be used as lounge chairs or sofa. The shells are white fiberglass and the s...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fiberglass
- Design Two Seater Leather Sofa by Fabricius & Kastholm for Kill InternationalBy Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Alfred Kill InternationalLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLDiscover the perfect combination of style and comfort with the FK 6720 two-seater sofa, a masterpiece designed by Preben Fabricius Jorgen Kastholm. Manufactured by Kill International...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Vintage Sofa Gognac Color Model Budapest Design by Paola Navone by BaxterBy Baxter, Paola NavoneLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLVintage Sofa Cognac color Model Budapest design by Paola Navone by Baxter. Has your eye fallen on this unique vintage design beautiful sleek lounge sofa. Material: beautiful suppl...Category
1990s German Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Vintage Leather Cornelius Sofa Anthracite with Metal BaseBy DurletLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLDiscover the timeless elegance of the Cornelius sofa, an authentic piece of design from the 80s. Manufactured by the renowned Belgian brand Durlet, this sofa is known for its high-qu...Category
Vintage 1980s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Spanish UFU Design Desk Lamp Design by Martin Pedro for Phase 60sBy Luis Felipe Perez, FaseLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLAll the way from Spain! This beautiful desk lamp from Fase. Design by Martin Pedro Model 520c Period:1960s. A special and unique example that you don't come across very ofte...Category
Vintage 1960s Spanish Space Age Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Sleeping Sofa by Martin Visser for ‘t Spectrum, 1960sBy 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin VisserLocated in Hilversum, NLSleeping sofa, designed by the famous Martin Visser in the 60’s. Fabricated by ‘t Spectrum, The Netherlands. Simple high quality metal structure with maximum comfort. The sofa can be...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Mid Century Sleeping Sofa by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, 1960sBy Martin Visser, 't Spectrum BergeijkLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLSleeping sofa, designed by the famous Martin Visser in the 60's. Fabricated by 't Spectrum, The Netherlands. Simple high quality metal structure with maximum comfort. Just ...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Martin Visser BR02 Sofa/ Sofa bed/ Daybed by ‘t Spectrum, Dutch Mid-CenturyBy Martin Visser, 't SpectrumLocated in CULEMBORG, GEListed is an iconic BR02 sofa / sofa bed / daybed by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum. Designed in 1960, this minimalist sofa can be converted in bed with one simple movement. Model no....Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Martin Visser BZ29 Sofa for 't Spectrum w/ Navy Fabric, Black Frame & Wood ArmsBy Martin VisserLocated in Los Angeles, CASleek Martin Visser BZ29 sofa designed for 't Spectrum in 1960. Newly upholstered back and seat in navy blue fabric. Black enameled metal frame. Lightly refinished teak arms.Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Martin Visser Sofa or Sleeper Sofa for 't Spectrum, NetherlandsBy 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin VisserLocated in Lyon, FRNice sofa designed by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum. Freshly re-upholstered with new fabric and foam. Structure in metal. 2 positions, can be converting in bed.Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Iconic BR02 Sofa by Martin Visser 'for Spectrum'By Martin VisserLocated in Oostende, BEMartin Visser's iconic BR 02 sofa, for Spectrum. This Mid-Century Modern sleeper sofa has been refurbished by us and was given a new pale green qua...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Minimalist Sofas
MaterialsMetal