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.
Pair of Similar Harvey Probber American Gilt Metal Moroccan Drum Table Lamps
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of similar Mid-Century American gilt metal Moroccan Style table lamps; the taller in hour glass form and the shorter, barrel-shaped. Both feature cylindrical wood stems, brass s...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Moroccan-Style Gilt Arabesques Table Lamps
Located in Chicago, IL
Striking pair of table lamps with eight-sided Moorish arabesque reliefs, octagonal gilt ceramic bodies and impressive size. Sold sans shades.
Brass, Metal
Pair of Antique French Ceramic and Gilt Metal Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of antique French ceramic and gilt metal table lamps. They were made in France, they date from around the 1950’s. They are of superb quality and are an impressive si...
Metal
Pair of Gilt Metal Table Lamps
Located in Faversham, GB
A wonderful pair of country house gilt table lamps procured from a Cornish estate. Turned wooden bases on circular gilt rimmed columns with fluted brass coloured stems. The lamps h...
Metal, Brass
Pair of French Rococo Style Gilt Metal Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Newly Rewired, New Linen Shades Materials: Spelter Metal w/ Brass Plated, Lacquered Metal Style: French Rococo This striking pair of French Rococo style table lamps, c.1...
Metal, Spelter
Pair of Lucite Harvey Guzzini Table Lamps Italy, 1970s
By Harvey Guzzini, Luigi Massoni
Located in Rosendahl, DE
A pair of extra large Harvey Guzzini table lamps, designed by Luigi Massoni in the 1960s. These lamps feature timeless mid-century design combined with high-quality materials, includ...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Gilt Metal lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1950’s Italian gilt metal lamps with Murano glass body. Measurements: Height of body: 28″ Height to shade rest: 38″ Width: 11″ D...
Metal
Vintage Italian Gilt Metal Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
A stunning vintage Italian gilt metal table lamp, with a gorgeous floral design, this dates from around the 1970’s. The quality is outstanding, this has a beautiful bouquet of flowers design, with profuse and intricate details. It comes with the original conical shade, and stands on a solid wood base. This is in excellent condition, with mostly just some very minor superficial wear. Just one of the protruding leaves has been knocked off...
Metal
Pair of Gilt Metal Pineapple Form Table Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of lamps, each fashioned as a pineapple, of metal with silver and gold gilt, set upon round, graduating plinth. Stock ID: 7856.
Metal
Pair of Vintage Stacked-Sphere Metal Table Lamps with White Drum Shades
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This striking pair of vintage metal table lamps features a bold stacked-sphere silhouette that brings sculptural presence and timeless sophistication to any interior. Each lamp is co...
Metal
French White Marble & Gilt Metal Table Lamps, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French White Marble and Gilt Metal Table Lamps, each urn form base with two scroll handles above square base atop four circular feet, and surmounted by two light bulb fitting...
Marble, Metal
Pair of Antique French Gilt Metal and Ceramic Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A fabulous pair of antique French gilt metal and ceramic table lamps, dating from around the 1900-1920 period. They are lovely quality an...
Metal
A pair of 1970s Italian gilt metal and lucite lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of 1970s Italian gilt metal and lucite lamps with grooved detail design and new bespoke linen shades. Re wired with new brass fittings, antique cord flex and PAT tested.
Metal
Harvey Probber Fossil Marble Table Lamp with Brass Feet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning 1950s Harvey Probber marble lamp table with brass feet. In beautiful restored condition with new wiring. Lamp shade not included.