Harvey Probber Tuxedo Sofa in Peacock Velvet with Down Cushions, 1960s
View Similar Items
Harvey Probber Tuxedo Sofa in Peacock Velvet with Down Cushions, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 85 in (215.9 cm)Depth: 31 in (78.74 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU108405776543
Harvey Probber
A popular designer who had his heyday from the late 1940s into the 1970s, Harvey Probber is one of the post-war American creative spirits whose work has been recently rediscovered by collectors. His designs are by-and-large simple and elegant, but his signal achievement was to pioneer one of the key innovations of mid-20th century furniture: sectional, or modular, seating.
Even as a teenager, the Brooklyn-born Probber was making sketches of furniture designs — and selling them to Manhattan furniture companies. He began working as a designer for an upholsterer once he finished high school and, apart from a few evening classes he took as an adult at Pratt Institute, he was self-taught about design and furniture making.
After wartime service — and a stint as a lounge singer — Probber founded his own company in the late 1940s. A lifelong familiarity with the needs of New York–apartment dwellers doubtless sparked his most noteworthy creation: a line of seating pieces in basic geometric shapes — wedges, squares, half-circles — that could be arranged and combined as needed. Modular furniture remained the core idea of Probber’s business throughout his career.
As a self-trained designer, Probber was never wed to any particular aesthetic. He preferred the simple lines now associated with mid-century modernism for their inherent practicality, but often used hardware to enliven the look of his pieces, or added elements — such as a ceramic insert in the center of a round dining table — that was visually interesting and could serve as a trivet. He gravitated toward bright fabrics with attractive, touchable textures that might be satin-like or nubbly. Above all, Probber insisted that the sofas, case goods and other products that came out of his Fall River, Massachusetts, factory be built to last.
“The quality of aging gracefully,” Probber once told an interviewer, is “design's fourth dimension.” This quality he realized: Probber furniture is just as useful and alluring now as it was when made — and maybe even more stylish.
Find a collection of vintage Harvey Probber side tables, sectional sofas, chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Tuxedo Wall Sconce in Oil-Rubbed Bronze and Gray Enamel, Blueprint LightingBy Arteluce, Blueprint Lighting, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYThe Tuxedo wall sconce or reading light designed by Blueprint Lighting, 2018. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Cent...Category
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Chrome, Nickel
- Tuxedo Wall Sconce in Oil-Rubbed Bronze & Mint Green Enamel, Blueprint LightingBy Arteluce, Blueprint Lighting, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYThe Tuxedo wall sconce or reading light designed by Blueprint Lighting, 2018. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Cent...Category
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Chrome, Nickel
- Tuxedo Wall Sconce in Oil-Rubbed Bronze & Pale Pink Enamel, Blueprint LightingBy Arteluce, Blueprint Lighting, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYThe Tuxedo wall sconce or reading light designed by Blueprint Lighting, 2018. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Cent...Category
2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Chrome, Nickel
- Massive Carrara Marble Vase with Dramatic Striations, Italy 1950sBy Angelo MangiarottiLocated in New York, NYMassive Carrara Marble Vase with Dramatic Striations, Italy 1950s. Excellent condition. Would make for a gorgeous centerpiece on a dining table, mantel or in a foyer or entryway. Whether furnishing a contemporary Soho loft or stylish post-war Park Avenue penthouse, an artistic Central Park townhome or your eccentric Brooklyn brownstone, our team is happy to help. We ship anywhere, so we can also assist you with that retro Palm Springs...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsMarble, Carrara Marble
- Modern Supernova Chandelier in Oil-Rubbed Bronze by Blueprint LightingBy Arteluce, Blueprint Lighting, StilnovoLocated in New York, NYIntroducing the Supernova chandelier-- a dynamic, lively design by Blueprint Lighting, 2019. Supernova is constructed with a brass frame with spun aluminium orbs; shown in our hand f...Category
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
- MiniPOP Wall Sconce in Brass + Gray Enamel by Blueprint LightingBy Blueprint LightingLocated in New York, NYMiniPOP wall sconce--a more compact version of our wildly popular 4 foot tall POP wall lamp. Shown in natural brass and our "Pearl" light gray enamel and...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel
- Harvey Probber Tuxedo Sofa in Jack Lenor Larsen VelvetBy Jack Lenor Larsen, Harvey ProbberLocated in Chicago, ILHarvey Probber tuxedo style sofa in original Jack Lenor Larsen green velvet floral upholstery. This sofa is in incredible original condition showing very minimal wear for its age and sits very comfortably with good cushions and spring support. It was displayed in a North shore Chicago...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
- Harvey Probber Curved Crescent Sofa, 1960sBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Southampton, NJ1960s Harvey Probber curved sofa featuring striking custom channel back design with walnut legs reupholstered in the late 1990s. Timelessly chic, t...Category
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Harvey Probber Curved Crescent Sofa, 1960s, 2 AvailableBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Culver City, CAAvailable right now, we have this stunning crescent sofa by design master, Harvey Probber! Picture this: You're lounging in sheer opulence on a sofa that's as curvy as the bird streets, and equally as glamorous. And guess what? We've got not one, but two of these rare 1960's gems, both dressed up in the most lavish off-white bouclé fabric you've ever seen, and priced per sofa. The Crescent Sofa by Harvey Probber is the epitome of swanky sophistication, originally designed in the late 40's early 1950's, Its unique crescent shape cradles you in heavenly comfort, like a warm embrace from an old friend. It's not just a sofa; it's a lifestyle statement. When you think of luxury, this is what you see. Now, about that off-white bouclé upholstery. It's the stuff of dreams, folks. Imagine sinking into those plush cushions, feeling like you're floating on a cloud. It's the kind of fabric that practically begs you to kick off your shoes and sprawl out in utter relaxation. And yes, it's as Instagram-worthy as it gets. #BoucléGoals, anyone? Harvey Probber was a design genius with a vision as big as the moon. Born in 1922, this guy knew a thing or two about making furniture that oozed class and charisma. He took inspiration from design royalty like Edward Wormley, Tommi Parzinger, and Vladimir Kagan. Edward Wormley, the king of mid-century modern, knew how to balance clean lines and timeless elegance. Wormley's influence on Probber is evident in the sofa's sleek, yet inviting silhouette. Tommi Parzinger, with his penchant for glamorous details, inspired Probber to add that extra touch of opulence to his designs. It's all about the details, darling! And speaking of details, Vladimir Kagan's knack for avant-garde shapes pushed Probber to think outside the box (or in this case, the crescent). Kagan's audacious designs encouraged Probber to create pieces that were as daring as they were luxurious. Elevate your home and decor...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Walnut
$16,500 / item - Harvey Prober Tuxedo SofaBy Harvey ProbberLocated in La Teste De Buch, FRTuxedo 3 seater sofa by Harvey Probber. Down feather back cushions. Recently reupholstered in Kvadrat Maharam fabric. Labeled.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
- Spectacular Harvey Probber Even Arm Tuxedo Sofa Mid-Century ModernBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Pemberton, NJSpectacular Harvey Probber even arm Tuxedo sofa. This sofa was reupholstered by the original owners in this sensational tropical abstract fabric probably in the 80's-has been well ca...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Harvey Probber SofaBy Harvey ProbberLocated in San Francisco, CAA three-seat sofa by Harvey Probber. Curved front. Loose cushions on the seat, back and sides. Sofa sits on 6 wooden feet.Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
$12,000