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Harvey Probber

American, 1922-2003

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.

Average Sold Price
$3,633
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Iconic Designs from Harvey Probber
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Harvey Probber Cubo Sofa
Harvey Probber Cubo Sofa
Harvey Probber Architectural Chair
Harvey Probber Architectural Chair
Harvey Probber Architectural Sofa
Harvey Probber Architectural Sofa
Chest of Drawers in Mahogany and Brass by Harvey Probber, 1950s
Chest of Drawers in Mahogany and Brass by Harvey Probber, 1950s

Chest of Drawers in Mahogany and Brass by Harvey Probber, 1950s

By Harvey Probber

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

This rare gentleman’s chest, designed by Harvey Probber in the 1950s, is a distinguished example of mid-century modern American furniture that combines refined craftsmanship with sop...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Brass

Large Custom Mid-Century Modern 2 Piece Sectional Attributed to Harvey Probber
Large Custom Mid-Century Modern 2 Piece Sectional Attributed to Harvey Probber

Large Custom Mid-Century Modern 2 Piece Sectional Attributed to Harvey Probber

By Harvey Probber

Located in Chicago, IL

A fabulous mid-century modern sectional attributed to Harvey Probber likely from the Nuclear Sert series. It is a pioneering example of modular furniture. This unit is in 2 pieces....

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Curvaceous Harvey Probber Lounge Chairs
Pair of Curvaceous Harvey Probber Lounge Chairs

Pair of Curvaceous Harvey Probber Lounge Chairs

$3,850 / set

H 30 in W 27 in D 22 in

Pair of Curvaceous Harvey Probber Lounge Chairs

By Harvey Probber

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of Curvaceous modern lounge chairs, designed by Harvey Probber, American, circa 1960s. They are currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be refinished in your choice...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Harvey Probber Set of Four Occasional Chairs, Salmon Lacquer & Cane, 1960c
Harvey Probber Set of Four Occasional Chairs, Salmon Lacquer & Cane, 1960c

Harvey Probber Set of Four Occasional Chairs, Salmon Lacquer & Cane, 1960c

By Harvey Probber

Located in Chicago, IL

Harvey Probber Set of Four Occasional Chairs, Salmon Lacquer & Cane, 1960c An elegant quartet of mid-century seating by Harvey Probber, these “Occasional” chairs showcase a gently cu...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Wood

Four Piece Cubo Sectional Sofa by Harvey Probber, circa 1972
Four Piece Cubo Sectional Sofa by Harvey Probber, circa 1972

Four Piece Cubo Sectional Sofa by Harvey Probber, circa 1972

By Harvey Probber

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Introducing the iconic 4 Piece Cubo Sectional by Harvey Probber, originally designed in 1972. This stunning piece exudes timeless elegance and sophistication, making it a must-have a...

Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Chrome

Harvey Probber Lounge Chair 1955
Harvey Probber Lounge Chair 1955

Harvey Probber Lounge Chair 1955

$3,800

H 28.5 in W 33 in D 33 in

Harvey Probber Lounge Chair 1955

By Harvey Probber

Located in Chicago, IL

Harvey Probber Lounge Chair (1955) This classic lounge chair by Harvey Probber features gently used mohair upholstery, providing luxurious comfort and style. It includes a loose cush...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Mohair, Walnut

Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa
Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa

Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa

$8,100Sale Price|25% Off

H 30 in W 84 in D 33 in

Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa

By Harvey Probber

Located in Savannah, GA

Sectional corner sofa with integrated end table, 1960s. Original orange velvet upholstery. sofa with full back: 84 inches wide by 33 inches deep by 30 inches tall sofa with half...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Browse all Furniture from Harvey Probber
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Harvey Probber Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2026$816Cupboards, VitrinesAluminum, Glass, Mirror, Walnutcirca 1960s
2026$7,100Side Tables, End TablesRosewoodcirca 1970s
2026$3,150Night StandsChrome, Wood, Walnut1950
2026$1,520BenchesFabric, Mahogany1955
2025$2,304Commodes and Chests of DrawersBrass, Mahoganycirca 50's
2025$3,040Serving Tables, Console TablesWalnutcirca 1970s
2025$5,000Sideboards, CredenzasBrass, Cane, Mahogany1950s
2025$2,380BenchesUpholstery, Woodcirca 1960s
2025$1,350Floor LampsMetal, Walnutunknown
2025$2,990Coffee and Cocktail TablesCopper, MahoganyCirca 50s
2025$3,000Cabinets, BuffetsCane, Glass, MahoganyUnknown
2025$9,800Swivel Chairs, Lounge ChairsBrass, Leather1950s
2025$1,388Lounge Chairs, ArmchairsLeather, Oak2016
2025$2,448Dining Room TablesWood1940/60's
2025$1,184Side Tables, End TablesWoodUnknown
2025$2,528Side TablesBrass, Marble, Walnutcirca 1950
2025$2,250Pedestals, End TablesBrass, Walnutcirca 1970s
2025$4,000SofasFabric, Wood1960s
2025$1,440Side TablesOnyx, Marble, Terrazzo, Walnut1960's
2025$6,500Sectional SofasUpholstery, Velvet, Woodcirca 1970s
$3,633
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$355-$9,800
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Harvey Probber

More Harvey Probber Designs
Harvey Probber Cubo Sofa
Harvey Probber Cubo Sofa
Average Price
$16,883
Number Available
6
Harvey Probber Cubo Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Materials
Fabric, Animal Skin, Leather, Metal, Upholstery, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Harvey Probber Architectural Chair
Harvey Probber Architectural Chair
Average Price
$5,998
Number Available
2
Harvey Probber Architectural Chair
By Harvey Probber
Materials
Animal Skin, Fabric, Leather, Metal, Stainless Steel, Upholstery, Walnut, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Harvey Probber Architectural Sofa
Harvey Probber Architectural Sofa
Average Price
$18,000
Number Available
1
Harvey Probber Architectural Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All

Harvey Probber furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Harvey Probber furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Harvey Probber furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Harvey Probber were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall, and Florence Knoll. Prices for Harvey Probber furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $750 and can go as high as $35,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,491.