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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
$3,673
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
Harvey Probber Mid Century Modern Credenza - Black Lacquer - Mahogany - Brass
Harvey Probber Mid Century Modern Credenza - Black Lacquer - Mahogany - Brass

Harvey Probber Mid Century Modern Credenza - Black Lacquer - Mahogany - Brass

By Harvey Probber

Located in Decatur, GA

Vintage credenza by Harvey Probber, circa 1950s. Black lacquer and mahogany with brass accents. All original. Good condition with minor losses and wear.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Harvey Probber long Rosewood 9 drawer dresser credenza
Mid Century Harvey Probber long Rosewood 9 drawer dresser credenza

Mid Century Harvey Probber long Rosewood 9 drawer dresser credenza

By Harvey Probber

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A gorgeous Mid Century Harvey Probber rosewood 9 drawer dresser or credenza with ebonized trim and carved handles. The dresser has lots of storage with nine drawers. Very clean insid...

Category

1970s 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

Customizable New and Made to Order Harvey Probber Deep Tuft Modular Sofa
Customizable New and Made to Order Harvey Probber Deep Tuft Modular Sofa

Customizable New and Made to Order Harvey Probber Deep Tuft Modular Sofa

By Harvey Probber

Located in New York, NY

Deep Tuft sectional seating was designed by Harvey Probber in 1972. Recognized as a pioneer in sectional seating, Probber developed the concept from the 1940s. Fascinated by automot...

Category

2010s Italian Harvey Probber

Materials

Upholstery

Gorgeous Restored Pair of Walnut Cane Lounge Chairs by Probber- 2 Pr Available
Gorgeous Restored Pair of Walnut Cane Lounge Chairs by Probber- 2 Pr Available

Gorgeous Restored Pair of Walnut Cane Lounge Chairs by Probber- 2 Pr Available

By Harvey Probber

Located in Atlanta, GA

A stunning meticulously restored pair of difficult to source Organic lounge chairs by Harvey Probber, c 1965. Expertly crafted solid walnut construction with stellar lines and detail...

Category

1960s American Organic Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Cane, Walnut

Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Gondola Slipper Chairs by Harvey Probber
Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Gondola Slipper Chairs by Harvey Probber

Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Gondola Slipper Chairs by Harvey Probber

By Harvey Probber

Located in New York, NY

This beautifully proportioned and elegantly fashioned Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Gondola Slipper Chairs are by the esteemed designer Harvey Probber and originate from the United S...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

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

Browse all Furniture from Harvey Probber
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Harvey Probber Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2026$3,080Ottomans and Poufs, BenchesUpholstery1965
2026$825Side TablesLaminate, Walnut1960s-1970s
2026$2,800Club ChairsChrome20th Century
2026$6,400Dining Room ChairsWicker, Cane, Chrome1970’s
2026$4,250Dressers, Commodes and Chests of DrawersMahogany, Rosewood1960s
2026$2,120Sofas, LoveseatsFaux Leather, Walnutcirca 1960s
2026$2,545Credenzas, Commodes and Chests of DrawersBrass, Leather, Mahoganycirca 1955
2026$3,420Coffee and Cocktail TablesTerracotta, WalnutCirca 1960
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
$3,673
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$816-$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
$17,860
Number Available
5
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.