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.
Harvey Prober Ebonized Solid Mahogany Lacquered Queen Size Headboard Bed Mint!
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Harvey Prober Ebonized solid mahogany lacquered queen size headboard bed mint!
Walnut
Pair of Harvey Probber High Back Chairs Wormley Estate Weston ct
By Harvey Probber
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Harvey Probber high back wing chairs, important with very few made and from the Edward Wormley estate in Weston ct. Edward Wormley (American, December 31, 1907–November 3, 19...
Foam, Fabric, Walnut
Harvey Probber Midcentury Mahogany and Brass Nightstand
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber midcentury Mahogany and Brass Nightstand This nightstand measures: 24 wide x 18 deep x 22.75 inches high All pieces ...
Brass
Harvey Probber Mid Century Bleached Mahogany and Cane Side Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber Mid Century Bleached Mahogany and Cane Side Table This side table measures: 20.5 wide x 18 deep x 19.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call...
Cane, Mahogany
Harvey Probber Mahogany Knights Bench
By Harvey Probber
Located in Toledo, OH
Beautiful knights bench model 1173 by Harvey Probber with a bent mahogany slatted seat, an arched base, and brass rods. 26" wide x 17" deep x 20 1/2" high. Excellent condition.
Brass
$3,000
Harvey Probber Armchairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Highland, IN
These light, lithe and elegant armchairs by Harvey Probber are scaled perfectly to serve as part of a larger seating group or on their own as occasional ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Harvey Probber Lounge Chairs in Holly Hunt Great Plains
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful set of two rare Harvey Probber lounge chairs newly upholstered in a high-quality fabric by Holly Hunt. A beautiful neutral woven fabric with a soft texture. Mahogany bas...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Flip-Top Dining Table Console By Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern flip-top dining console table was designed by the popular American designer Harvey Probber during the 1960s. This table is true to Probber's aesthetic - simpl...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Vintage Modern Walnut Writing Desk by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern writing desk by Harvey Probber. This desk features walnut construction, ample leg room, and three drawers for storage of files and odds and ends. A beautiful vinta...
Walnut
Pair of Black Leather Harvey Probber Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
If you're looking for a set of classic barrel chairs that'll stand the test of time, consider Harvey Probber, Model 303A swiveling chairs. The chair's solid-body design is perfectly ...
Wood, Leather
$16,000 / set
Pair of Harvey Probber Slipper Chairs on Brass Bases
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of beautifully restored lounge chairs designed by Harvey Probber. Sculpted seats with tailored buttons and polished brass base.
Brass
Low Console Table by Harvey Probber, 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern walnut console table / coffee table designed by Harvey Probber with a single shelf and brass through tenon legs. Made in the USA, circa 1960s.
Brass
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Fabulous Kingsize Cathedral style Headboard by Harvey Probber Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Ebonized walnut arches separated by natural walnut panels form a rhythmic design for this headboard. Identically finished on the reverse side so may free-s...
Walnut
$6,100 / set
Set of Three Harvey Probber Stools
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Set of three Harvey Probber stools. Has square walnut legs on casters. Off-white and rust embroidered floral cushioned seats. Mid Century Modern.
Fabric, Walnut
Sleek Modern Harvey Probber Six Flat Bar Dining Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Absolutely stunning, sleek design by Harvey Probber model no. 1427A, circa 1960's. These chairs combine mid-century details with a modern silhouette to create an eye-catching accent around your dining table. These square-seat chairs with their clean lines and seamless polished aluminum frames adding the perfect balance to the chair's dark blue color are just some of the unique highlights of this design. The seats are wrapped in velvet for a luxe look and is filled with foam for just the right amount of support as you sit. Whether you are looking for a punctuation mark on your already compelling decor or wanting drama.....these are for you. Harvey Probber was the Godfather of Modern Modular Seating...
Steel
1960s Pair of Harvey Probber Cube Swivel Lounge Chairs in Tufted White Leather
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Cube Swivel Lounge Chairs, designed by Harvey Probber for his namesake company in the late 1950s. This pair dates to the 1960s, and the listed price includes the pa...
Chrome
$1,200
Harvey Probber Dry Bar
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rolling cart for entertaining designed by Harvey Probber. Mahogany wood frame with milk glass top. Please confirm location.
Mahogany
X Chair by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An "X" base slat chair with upholstered leather seat and back pillow.
Brass
Pair of Harvey Probber / Milo Baughman Side Chairs with Cast Brass Handles
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Harvey Probber side chairs with elegant cast brass handles. In the manner of Milo Baughman
Upholstery
Harvey Probber Scissor Form Chair, Ebonized Wood & Black Leather
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century scissor form dining / side chair with an ebonized wooden frame with a narrow back comprised of three vertical slats, with a black leather upholstered seat and sm...
Leather, Wood, Upholstery, Ebony
Mid Century Modern Harvey Probber Walnut with Black Marble Cocktail Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Harvey Probber Walnut with Black Marble Cocktail Table Elevate your home decor with this timeless piece.
Marble
Solid Mahogany and Glass Low Table by Harvey Probber, 1970s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low table with a glass top and three jointed legs form an organic design.
Glass, Wood
1977 Pair of Harvey Probber Cube Swivel Lounge Chairs in Woven Latania Palm Cane
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Rattan Cube Swivel Chairs, designed by Harvey Probber for his Artisan Collection in 1977. The listed price includes the pair of two chairs as shown. Probber visited...
Steel, Bronze