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Harvey Probber Seating

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
Harvey Probber Hexabloc Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Original hexagonal chair designed by Harvey Probber for his Hexabloc island seating system with many possibilities for omnidirectional arrangement. Co...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair Armless Lounge / Slipper Chairs with Brass Frames by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare pair of Harvey Probber lounge chairs with brass frames. All original brass feet are intact. The original blue upholstery shows wear, stains and imperfections and is priced acc...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Brass

Set of Four Harvey Probber Mahogany Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Southampton, NJ
Set of Four Harvey Probber Mahogany Dining Chairs, 1950s fully restored with beautifully maintained original finish.
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Harvey Probber Chaise Lounge
By Harvey Probber
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Upholstery

Set of Four Elegant Dining Chairs by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A set of elegant, high back dining chairs by Harvey Probber. Finished in black lacquer.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Harvey Probber Side Chairs with Cast Brass Handles
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Harvey Probber side chairs with elegant cast brass handles. Can possibly ship UPS in 2 separate boxes. Need to look into.
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery

Harvey Probber Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rarely seen pair of lounge chairs. Comfortable and stylish.
Category

1960s American Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Uncommon Architectural Harvey Probber Petite Bench
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Uncommon Architectural Harvey Probber Petite Bench. Additional images available upon request. Leather is the original upholstery. Most likely will require either reupholst...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Gondola Chairs by Harvey Probber Restored
By Harvey Probber
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant pair of Gondola chairs by Harvey Probber. Totally refinished and reupholstered. Black and white Grey tweed style fabric. In e...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Hardwood, Fabric

Pair of Harvey Probber Slat Back Wood and Caned Seat Side Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American mid-century side / desk chairs with wooden frames with four vertical back slats and a caned seat. (HARVEY PROBBER)(PRICED AS PAIR)  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Wood

Harvey Probber 'Gondola' Wood and Striped Upholstery Side Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century 'Gondola' form chair with a curved dark stained wooden frame and muted pink, green, and beige vertically striped upholstered seat and back, resting on four taper...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Harvey Probber Bright Yellow Fabric Upholstered Ebonized Lounge
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century lounge / armchairs with bright yellow fabric upholstery with removable back and seat cushions, one square, and one circular matching throw pillow, restin...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Ebony

Harvey Probber Wood, Caning, and Paisley Fabric Upholstered Hoop Lounge Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century hoop form lounge armchair with a curved ebonized wooden frame, caned back, seat, and sides, and a multicolored paisley patterned fabric upholstered seat and back...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Ebony

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 Seating

Materials

Fabric

Vintage Harvey Probber Mid Century Modern Ebonized Cane Hiprest Side Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Harvey Probber Mid Century Modern Ebonized Cane Hiprest Side Chair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 33.5" H x 23.5" W x 22" D x 19" Seat height.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Rare Pair of Harvey Probber Sling Chair, circa 1948
By Harvey Probber
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare pair of Harvey Probber sling chairs. This design was selected for by the Museum of Modern Art in 1948 for their good design exhibit. Be...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Bentwood

Harvey Probber Painted Black Wood "Scissor" Lounging Deck Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American painted black wood X-base "Scissor" lounging deck chair with a 3-plank curved back plus embedded brass rod support at top. (HARVEY PROBBER) Wear to finish and l...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber Shaped Walnut and Geometric Brown Upholstered Lounge Armchair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century lounge armchair with a shaped walnut frame with two wooden armrests, and seat and back cushions upholstered in a geometric patterned fabric in neutral browns and...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Harvey Probber Extra Wide Black Upholstered Slipper Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Mid-Century American extra wide slipper chairs upholstered in black fabric supported by strong, squared-off tubular shaped posts and gently ...
Category

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

Materials

Fabric

Pair of Harvey Probber model 1055 Sculptural Dining or Side Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hudson, NY
Stunning pair of Harvey Probber model 1055 side chairs. Missoni style upholstery on the comfortable padded back and seat. The frame is constructed of solid walnut or mahogany. These ...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Rare Pair of Off White Boucle Lounge Chairs by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s Off white boucle and polished aluminum lounge chairs by Harvey Probber. Newly recovered in a beautiful boucle fabric.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Large Lounge Chair on Walnut Frame Base by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice large Harvey Probber lounge chairs on walnut base. Good upholstery condition.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Harvey Probber Aluminum and Beige Fabric Upholstered Slipper / Side Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century slipper / side chair with a polished aluminum frame and a beige fabric upholstered seat and back. (HARVEY PROBBER)  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Pair of Harvey Probber Beige Zig-Zag Textured Upholstery and Brass Slipper Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American mid-century slipper / side chairs with zig-zag textured beige button tufted fabric upholstered seats and backs, resting on a brass square tube stretcher base with le...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Metal, Brass

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...
Category

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

Materials

Foam, Fabric, Walnut

Harvey Probber Tall Back Orange Fabric Upholstered Arm / Lounge Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century arm / lounge chair with a tall back and button tufted textured orange upholstery, resting on four tapered wooden legs. (HARVEY PROBBER) light staining to uphols...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut

Pair of Harvey Probber Peacock Blue 'Gondola' Mahogany Pull Up Side Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American mid-century 'Gondola' pull up / side chairs with curved mahogany frames and peacock blue upholstered seat backs and cushions, ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany

Harvey Probber Scissor Form Ebonized Wood and Black Leather Side Chair
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...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood, Upholstery, Ebony

Harvey Probber Cube Form Black Textured Fabric Upholstered Lounge / Armchair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century cube form lounge / armchair with textured black fabric upholstery and a matching removable back cushion. (HARVEY PROBBER)(Available in black: DUF0509A).  
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Fabric

Harvey Probber Cube Form Blue Textured Fabric Upholstered Lounge / Armchair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century cube form lounge / armchair with textured royal blue fabric upholstery and a matching removable back cushion. (HARVEY PROBBER)(Available in black: DUF0509B) Wea...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery

Harvey Probber 'Gondola' Mahogany and Gold Woven Upholstery Pull Up Side Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century 'Gondola' pull up / side chair with a curved light mahogany frame and gold woven fabric upholstered seat back and cushion, resting on four tapered mahogany dowel...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany

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.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Harvey Probber 'Gondola' Mahogany and Striped Upholstery Pull Up Side Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century 'Gondola' pull up / side chair with a curved mahogany frame and blue and beige and pink striped fabric upholstered seat backs and cushions, resting on four taper...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany

Marvelous Pair Harvey Probber Swivel Barrel Back Lounge Chair Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Marvelous pair of Harvey Probber barrel back club chairs on wooden swivel platform bases. We love the original small round back cushion. Chairs looks to have been reupholstered in ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Mid-Century Harvey Probber Slipper Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning pair of modern lounge chairs by Harvey Probber feature tufted vinyl seat backs with wide slipper seats. Cantilevered heavy chrome frame mak...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Chrome

Set of Six Harvey Probber Ebonized X-Base Dining Chairs, Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Set of six X-base dining chairs by Harvey Probber. Brass hardware contrasts and compliments the dark ebonized mahogany. Cushions are in nice vintage condition and are easily reuphols...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber Mid Century Red X Chairs - Pair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber Mid Century Red X Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 20 wide x 21 deep x 36.25 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 20.25 inches All pieces of furnitur...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Harvey Probber Set of Three 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 chairs. Their proportions and profile make them beautiful from every angle and their intermediate seat height makes them ideal as conversational chairs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

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...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Steel

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 ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

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...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Steel, Bronze

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 Seating

Materials

Brass

Two Vintage Harvey Probber Benches
By Harvey Probber
Located in Doraville, GA
A pair of vintage benches designed by Harvey Probber for his own manufacturing company in 1955, the benches are in his catalog and are model nu...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Harvey Probber Swivel Club Chair, circa 1960s, Reupholstered and Refinished
By Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Harvey Probber swivel club chair from circa 1960 has been refinished and reupholstered. Featuring a scalloped front end and loose seat cushion over a round wood swivel base whic...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

X Chair by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An "X" base slat chair with upholstered leather seat and back pillow.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair Harvey Probber Mid Century Asian Modernist Walnut and Upholstered Stools
By Harvey Probber
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Mid-Century iconic Architectural Design Asian Modernist Stools with Button Detailing by the legendary Harvey Probber. Lacquered walnut and Clean, firm upholstery. Measure 16...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Harvey Probber seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Harvey Probber seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Harvey Probber seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating 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 seating by Charles Eames, Selig, and George Nelson. Prices for Harvey Probber seating 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 $7,800.

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