Spectrum - Martin Visser - Coffee table - Rollo - Metal, mdf - Prototype (signed)

Martin Visser – Rollo Model Prototype Side Table (Signed), Netherlands, 1990–1993

This extremely rare Rollo model side table is an outstanding example of late 20th-century Dutch design by Martin Visser. Works from this series are very rarely encountered on the market, and examples are primarily known through museum collections, underlining the exceptional status of the design.

What makes this specific table particularly important and unique is that it is a signed and dated prototype. On the underside of the tabletop, the piece is hand-inscribed by the designer:
“Proef model 1990–1993 Martin Visser”.

This confirms the table as an original development model, produced during the design phase of the Rollo series. As such, it should be regarded as a museum-quality object, rather than a standard production piece.
The table combines a circular MDF tabletop with a cylindrical base in perforated steel, a material dialogue that is both industrial and refined. This combination—together with the clear geometry—places the design firmly within the lineage of post-war Dutch functionalism, while simultaneously engaging with postmodern material experimentation. The use of perforated metal alongside a solid top recalls broader European postmodern tendencies, comparable in spirit to designers such as Ettore Sottsass, where colour, surface, and material contrast play a central role.

The colour scheme is subtle yet distinctive: a light grey body combined with a warm orange-beige tabletop. The tone is nuanced and difficult to capture accurately in photographs, but in person it gives the piece a soft, architectural presence—very characteristic of Visser’s late work and highly emblematic of Dutch postmodern design from this period.
The Rollo table is represented in institutional collections, including the permanent collection of the Centraal Museum Utrecht, further confirming its historical and cultural significance. Visser’s work bridges strict modernism and postmodern sensibility, remaining deeply rooted in Bauhaus principles while embracing new materials and colour in the late 20th century.

Condition
Good vintage condition. Structurally excellent. Minor signs of wear consistent with age and careful use. The surface wear is in keeping with the object’s history and does not detract from its strong visual and collectible presence.

Designer: Martin Visser (1922–2009), Netherlands
Model: Rollo – Prototype (Proefmodel), signed and dated
Date: 1990–1993

Shipping & Delivery
Delivery within the Netherlands and Belgium can be arranged on request. International shipping is also possible and will be calculated after purchase based on the buyer’s location. Collection in person is possible by arrangement.
A very rare, iconic, and highly collectible piece of Dutch postmodern design—of particular interest to collectors seeking signed prototypes, museum-quality furniture, and key works by Martin Visser. This is a once-in-a-while opportunity to acquire a documented and signed example of an important late design by one of the Netherlands’ most influential designers.