Harvey Probber Chest of Drawers in Mahogany and Brass 1950s 'Signed'
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 54.5 in (138.43 cm)Width: 42 in (106.68 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Condition: Excellent - Piece has been refinished by Lobel Modern.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
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 the 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 simple lines 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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Pair of Wardrobes in Mahogany and Leather by Harvey Probber 1950sBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYBeautifully outfitted wardrobes/chests of drawers in mahogany, doors with inset leather and brass bands, by Harvey Probber, American 1950s (label in drawer reads "designed by Harvey ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Harvey Probber Desk in Mahogany 1950s 'Signed'By Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYDesk in mahogany with alternating grain top and brass sabots by Harvey Probber, American, 1950s (label in drawer reads "designed by Harvey Probber"). This desk is beautifully made.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Harvey Probber Queen Size Head Board in Mahogany and Brass, 1950sBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYQueen size headboard model no 861-80 with curved mahogany slats and brass frame by Harvey Probber, American, 1950's.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsBrass
- Tommi Parzinger Elegant Chest of Drawers with Etched Brass Pulls 1950s 'Signed'By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger OriginalsLocated in New York, NYSuperbly crafted high chest of drawers in mahogany with etched brass pulls by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1950's (signed "Parzinger Originals” on inside of drawer). The restrained elegance of this piece is classic Parzinger. Refinished by Lobel Modern...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Tommi Parzinger Elegant Chest of Drawers with Etched Brass Pulls 1950s (Signed)By Tommi ParzingerLocated in New York, NYSuperbly crafted tall chest of drawers model M603 in mahogany with tapering legs and etched brass pulls by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern, American 1950's (signed "CHARAK MODERN” ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Harvey Probber Pair of Benches with Mahogany Legs and Castors 1950sBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYChic pair of rectangular upholstered benches with round mahogany legs and brass castors by Harvey Probber, American 1950's. Refinished and reupholstered by Lobel Modern.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsBrass
- Harvey Probber Chest of DrawersBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYMid-Century Modern chest of drawers by Harvey Probber. Harvey Probber chest of drawers in bleached mahogany with four drawers brass sabots to the feet. Inside two top drawers have wh...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood, Mahogany
- Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYMid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Chest of drawers. Low chest of drawers by Harvey Probber in bleached mahogany with three drawers set on plinth base. Top two drawers have white lami...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of D...
MaterialsMahogany
- Pair of Rosewood and Mahogany Chests by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYPair of tailored chests designed by Harvey Probber, having rosewood drawer fronts, tops and sides with dark mahogany trim, and legs, with brass feet. Both are in good, original condition, showing some cosmetic signs of age and use. Each dresser has three drawers, each drawer front is 7.75 inch H. Originally designed as dressers, these would also function well as large night tables...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany, Rosewood
- Harvey Probber Black Lacquer Mahogany Brass Hardware and Legs 4 Drawer ChestBy Harvey Probber, Paul McCobbLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern black lacquer mahogany brass hardware bachelor chest compact dresser by Harvey Probber.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Harvey Probber Espresso Mahogany Sliding Doors 10 Drawers Gentlemen's Chest MintBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Rockaway, NJHarvey Probber Espresso mahogany sliding doors 11 drawers gentlemen's chest highboy dresser mint Cork lined drawers.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- Eight Drawer Chest of Drawers or Jewelry Chest in Rosewood by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Ft Lauderdale, FLEight drawer chest of drawers or jewelry chest in rosewood by Harvey Probber. Jewelry, lingerie, silver or chest or drawers with eight drawers, rosewood fronts, ebonized oak sides...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsChrome