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Harvey Probber Furniture

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.

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Creator: Harvey Probber
Dealer: Sputnik Modern
Harvey Probber Knights Bench
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A "Knights Bench" in original orange lacquer with brass stretchers. Designed by Harvey Probber.
Category

1950s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Pair of Lounge Chairs by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of curved lounge chairs on ebonized wooden bases designed by Harvey Probber. Newer upholstery in very good condition.
Category

1960s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Harvey Probber Bowtie Coffee Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A large Harvey Probber walnut and mahogany bowtie shaped coffee table with brass cleats.
Category

1960s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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.
Category

1960s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Harvey Probber Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in San Francisco, CA
A three-seat sofa by Harvey Probber. Curved front. Loose cushions on the seat, back and sides. Sofa sits on 6 wooden feet.
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Wood

Harvey Probber Sofa
Harvey Probber Sofa
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H 25 in W 91 in D 38 in
Harvey Probber Swivel Cube Club Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of classic swivel chairs by Harvey Probber. The bases are walnut. And the upholstery is a soft boucle. The swivel is 360.
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1960s American Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

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Bouclé, Wood

Harvey Probber Swivel Cube Club Lounge Chairs
Harvey Probber Swivel Cube Club Lounge Chairs
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H 26 in W 29 in D 30 in
Handsome X-Long Bench Harvey Probber style Walnut Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome X-long Harvey Probber style walnut bench. The original striped woven fabric still looks quite nice with only light signs of use. This piece me...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

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Upholstery, Walnut

Handsome X-Long Bench Harvey Probber style Walnut Mid-Century Modern
Handsome X-Long Bench Harvey Probber style Walnut Mid-Century Modern
$2,280 Sale Price
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H 18.5 in W 73 in D 19.5 in
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar slipper chairs. Frames redone in high gloss black lacquer finish. New upholstery. ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs
$4,800 / set
H 32 in W 22 in D 32 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...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

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Upholstery, Wood

Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa
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H 30 in W 84 in D 33 in
Harvey Probber Mahogany Coffee Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Highland, IN
A simple form with subtle details, this coffee table by Harvey Probber has a mahogany top which floats over the black base courtesy of a slim reveal. 16"h X 48"w X 18"d
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Harvey Probber Mahogany Coffee Table
Harvey Probber Mahogany Coffee Table
$2,400
H 16 in W 48 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Gondola Slipper Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning pair of Mid-Century Gondola chairs by Harvey Probber makes an elegant statement in any setting. Comfortable high back design is accentuated by beautiful upholstery and ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Harvey Probber Gondola Slipper Chairs
Harvey Probber Gondola Slipper Chairs
$3,500 Sale Price / set
63% Off
H 38.5 in W 26 in D 25.5 in
Sculptural Walnut and Terrazzo Coffee Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic sculptural coffee table by American design master Harvey Probber. A substantial terrazzo stone top resists even the toughest coffee stains while Persian inspired cutouts help ...
Category

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

Materials

Terrazzo, Wood, Hardwood, Walnut

Sculptural Walnut and Terrazzo Coffee Table by Harvey Probber
Sculptural Walnut and Terrazzo Coffee Table by Harvey Probber
$2,080 Sale Price
22% Off
H 15 in W 66 in D 21 in
Sofa by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Handsome sofa by Harvey Probber upholstered in plum velvet with self-welting, six loose cushions (the seat cushions have a zipper), a buttoned back, and a spring base, all supported ...
Category

1950s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Sofa by Harvey Probber
Sofa by Harvey Probber
$7,000
H 28 in W 92.5 in D 33.25 in
Pair of Curvaceous 1940s Slipper Chairs
By William Billy Haines
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Curvaceous Slipper Chairs, in the manner of William "Billy" Haines, American, circa 1940's. They are currently being refinished and r...
Category

1950s American Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Curvaceous 1940s Slipper Chairs
Pair of Curvaceous 1940s Slipper Chairs
$1,800 Sale Price / set
52% Off
H 30 in W 26.5 in D 22 in
Harvey Probber Knights Bench in Mahogany, Brass and Leather, Signed, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1950s Harvey Probber 'Knights' bench, model number 1173, with arched base and slatted seat in steam-bent mahogany with brass accents, and finished with a channel-tufted cushion. Bras...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber Knights Bench in Mahogany, Brass and Leather, Signed, 1950s
Harvey Probber Knights Bench in Mahogany, Brass and Leather, Signed, 1950s
$3,900 Sale Price
43% Off
H 20.75 in W 26 in D 16 in
Terrazzo and Walnut Surfboard-Form Coffee Table 'Manner of Harvey Probber'
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century (circa 1950) sculptural cocktail / coffee table with a tapered oval terrazzo top reminiscent of a surfboard and walnut 'post' and 'fin' legs that support and pie...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Marble

Previously Available Items
Sofa by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A Harvey Probber sofa with oak bases. Fully restored.
Category

1970s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Oak

Sofa by Harvey Probber
Sofa by Harvey Probber
H 29 in W 84 in D 33 in
Pair of Harvey Probber Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Harvey Probber club chairs on oak bases. Matching sofa also available. Fully restored with refinished bases and new upholstery.
Category

1970s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Oak

Rosewood Dining Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Harvey Probber dining table with rosewood top, mahogany legs and chrome stretchers. Measurements include three 16" leaves.
Category

1960s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Harvey Probber Enameled Top Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare enameled copper top table designed by Harvey Probber.
Category

1950s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Harvey Probber Enameled Top Table
Harvey Probber Enameled Top Table
H 21 in W 20.75 in D 28 in
Large Custom Dining Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A large, custom Harvey Probber dining table with single piece burl and mahogany top. Mahogany base with brass stretchers and feet.
Category

1950s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Burl

Pair of Travertine Tabes by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A matching pair of travertine top tables with mahogany bases and brass stretchers / feet. Designed by Harvey Probber.
Category

1950s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Harvey Probber Knights Bench / Stool
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany "Knights bench" by Harvey Probber.
Category

1950s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Dining Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A large mahogany dining table on mahogany base with brass stretchers. Designed by Harvey Probber. Measures: 112" fully extended including t...
Category

1960s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Dining Table by Harvey Probber
Dining Table by Harvey Probber
H 29 in W 112 in D 44 in
Set of Eight Dining Chairs by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of eight dining chairs in mahogany and cane. Designed by Harvey Probber. Fully restored.
Category

1950s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Lounge Chair by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany and cane lounge chair with original white leather. Designed by Harvey Probber.
Category

1950s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Lounge Chair by Harvey Probber
Lounge Chair by Harvey Probber
H 24.25 in W 31.75 in D 27.5 in
Rosewood Dining Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A large rosewood dining table on mahogany base with brass stretchers. Designed by Harvey Probber. Measures: 112" fully extended including two 16" leaves. 80" with no leaves.
Category

1960s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

Bleached Rosewood Dining Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A large bleached rosewood dining table on mahogany base with brass stretchers. Designed by Harvey Probber. Measures: 112" fully extended including tw...
Category

1960s Vintage Harvey Probber Furniture

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.

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