Pair of Decagonal Rosewood Drum Tables by Harvey Probber, USA, c. 1950s
View Similar Items
Pair of Decagonal Rosewood Drum Tables by Harvey Probber, USA, c. 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)Diameter: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8008741340
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.
- Paul Evans, Sculpted Bronze Console, USABy Todd MerrillLocated in New York, NYThis large and impressive four-door Sculpted Bronze Console by Paul Evans from 1970 is one of the finest examples of this genre, commissioned directly from the Evans Studio. It has b...Category
Vintage 1960s American Cabinets
MaterialsBronze
Price Upon Request - Phillip Lloyd Powell, Unique Carved Desk, USABy Phillip Lloyd PowellLocated in New York, NYThis organic executive desk, a custom commission for a private collector, is one of the best examples of Powell’s affinity for natural wood and his mastery in creating unique works t...Category
Vintage 1960s American Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsIron
Price Upon Request - Paul Evans, Sculpted Steel Floor Lamp, USABy Paul EvansLocated in New York, NYA fantastic example of an early, commissioned sculptural steel lamp by Paul Evans, the L-shaped lamp’s square obelisk body is formed from rectili...Category
Vintage 1960s American Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel
Price Upon Request - James Mont, Grey Cerused Fumed Oak King-Size Bed, USABy James MontLocated in New York, NYA large custom king-size low bed from James Mont. In traditional Mont style this large commanding bed is opulent with its dark fumed oak frame highlighted by a light gray ceruse. The tufted headboard has been newly reupholstered with Rose Cummings...Category
Vintage 1970s American Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsOak
Price Upon Request - Ole Wanscher, Arched Top Mahogany Cabinet, DenmarkBy Todd MerrillLocated in New York, NYThis beautiful arched top mahogany cabinet by Ole Wanscher retains its original oiled finish and brass hardware. Two keyed doors open to reveal adj...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
Price Upon Request - Karl Springer, JMF “C” BenchesBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYThis exquisite pair of Jean-Michel Frank inspired “C” benches designed and made by Karl Springer feature elegant curved polished stainless steel legs and newly...Category
Late 20th Century American Benches
MaterialsSteel, Stainless Steel
Price Upon Request
- Pair of Mid Century Tables by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Redding, CTPair of Mid Century tables by Harvey Probber. Hexagonal in shape with an inlaid glass . Made of Teak Wood. Some separation at some sea...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsGlass, Wood
$1,200 Sale Price / set45% Off - Pair of Harvey Probber Style Side TablesBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Kansas City, MOHarvey Probber Style end tables with mahogany bases and faux marble resin tops. Excellent examples of this design.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMahogany, Resin
$3,500 / set - Handsome Pair Harvey Probber style Octagon Drum Side Tables Mid-Century ModernBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Pemberton, NJHandsome pair of Harvey Probber style octagon-shaped drum tables with hidden storage inside. These are very similar to the much-coveted octagon dry bars that Harvey Probber design...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Pair of Walnut Harvey Probber Style End TablesBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYPair of Mid Century Harvey Probber Style end tables. Beautiful sculpted fronts with two doors opening to a single drawer with open shelf below. Refinished a few years ago in a contr...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
$2,400 / set - Pair of End Tables Attributed to Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Highland, INThis very handsome pair of mahogany end tables have tops with a faux finish in rich amber and umber that is reminiscent of tortoise shell. The top may have been done by by Arpad Rost...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Harvey Probber End TableBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYStunning 1960s Mid-Century Modern end table designed by Harvey Probber, with two drawers and brass and walnut hardware and brass sabots.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
$2,400