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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
$4,688
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 Sofa
Harvey Probber Architectural Sofa
Harvey Probber Architectural Chair
Harvey Probber Architectural Chair
Harvey Probber Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Executive Desk with Travertine Top
By Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Discover the elegance of the 1960s with our exquisitely restored Harvey Probber Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk. A masterpiece of design and craftsmanship, this desk is constructed...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Marble, Steel, Metal

Stunning Midcentury Harvey Probber Credenza Sideboard Audio Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Incredibly crafted Harvey Probber Stunning Midcentury credenza, sideboard or audio cabinet. Retains the metal tag inside top drawer. Beautiful bleached walnut wood with 4 ebonized interior...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber Midcentury Saber Leg Extension Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by Harvey Probber featuring two 16 inch extending leaves for a total of 98 inches. The iconic table has sabre formed legs with a dram...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber

Materials

Hardwood

Harvey Probber Double Chest and Vanity with Leather and Brass
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Two beautifully restored complimentary chests flanking a hanging vanity case from Harvey Probber's "Cabinet Series" circa 1957. Hazelnut finished maho...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Dresser Designed by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome Mid-Century Modern highboy dresser designed by Harvey Probber. Dark mahogany exterior throughout. The cabinet doors show an interesting woven pattern with vertical brass acc...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Storage Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful rosewood and Mahogany storage cabinet features side by side storage behind elegant sliding doors. Shelf space on one side with set of four drawers on the other, this v...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Rosewood, Mahogany

Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Set of 6 Dining Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Set of 6 gorgeous Harvey Probber dining chairs. Two armchairs and 4 side chairs. Black ebonized wood frames with upholstered seats and back. Professionally reupholstered. In very goo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber

Materials

Wood

Harvey Probber Tiffany Blue Leather and Mahogany Side Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber side chair, or desk chair, with Tiffany blue leather seats and bleached mahogany frames. V shaped cane back and tapered legs.
Category

1950s American Vintage Harvey Probber

Materials

Cane, Leather, Mahogany

Browse all Furniture from Harvey Probber
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Harvey Probber Sellers

Creators Similar to Harvey Probber

More Harvey Probber Designs
Harvey Probber Cubo Sofa
Harvey Probber Cubo Sofa
Average Price
$24,375
Number Available
4
Harvey Probber Cubo Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Materials
Animal Skin, Fabric, Leather, Metal, Upholstery
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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Harvey Probber Architectural Sofa
Harvey Probber Architectural Sofa
Average Price
$21,750
Number Available
2
Harvey Probber Architectural Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Harvey Probber Architectural Chair
Harvey Probber Architectural Chair
Average Price
$4,100
Number Available
2
Harvey Probber Architectural Chair
By Harvey Probber
Materials
Animal Skin, Fabric, Leather, Mahogany, Metal, Stainless Steel, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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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 Florence Knoll, Adrian Pearsall, and Eero Saarinen. Prices for Harvey Probber furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £645 and can go as high as £27,414, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £4,435.

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