Dutch midcentury two seater sofa bij Jan Pieter Berghoef voor Spectrum 1967

Two-seater sofa, model bz85, designed in 1967 by Jan Pieter Berghoef and produced by ‘t Spectrum in the 1968-1969 collection. The frame is made of green-stained beech plywood, with the grain left visible and white button caps at the joints. It stands on chrome ball casters. The loose seat and back cushions and the two rolled armrests are upholstered in beige wide-rib corduroy. The design is typical of Dutch furniture from the late 1960s. The frame is built from flat plywood panels with cut-out legs and exposed white fasteners, and the stain lets the wood grain show through. The rolled armrests, loose cushions and chrome casters give it a low, light and mobile appearance. The model was also produced in red, as shown in period photographs. The model is documented in the book ‘t Spectrum by Jojanneke Clarijs, pp. 37 and 86. The photograph on p. 37 shows the bz85 sofa with the sz85 armchair and the tz86 coffee table at an exhibition at the RAI in Amsterdam in 1968. In the catalogue section the sofa is listed as cat. No. 201: lacquered wooden base, upholstered cushions, 67 X 152 X 81 cm, design 1967, collection 1968-1969. Period photographs show the range upholstered in ribbed and striped fabrics.Rarity: the series was only in the collection for the 1968-1969 seasons. The sz85 armchair is already hard to find, and the two-seater bz85 is far scarcer. We have not seen another example offered in recent years.The corduroy on this sofa is probably not the original covering. It is a similar ribbed corduroy, possibly also from the 1960s or 1970s. The fabric visible under the cushion suggests the original colour may have been a lime or yellow-green.The sofa is in good vintage condition with signs of age. The frame has scuffs and small marks from use, and the cushions show light wear and somecreasing at the corners. Dimensions: H 67 X W 152 X D 81 cm.