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 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...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Cantilevered Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Adorable pair of Harvey Probber occasional lounge chairs. Very comfortable chairs with chrome cantilevered frames upholstered in their original light tan color fabric. Can be used as...
Chrome
Harvey Probber Mid Century Barrel Back Chrome Lounge Chairs in Knoll Fabric
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Absolutely stunning, sleek design by Harvey Probber, chrome frame with floating armchair. Gorgeous example of timeless modern styling, and in an enviable pair. Chrome is in excel...
Chrome
$6,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Harvey Probber Saber Leg Pull-Up Chairs 1960's
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Harvey Probber Saber Leg Pull-Up Chairs 1960's Elegant pair of Harvey Probber pull-up chairs with solid mahogany frames and signature saber legs. Fully restored to original s...
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of Harvey Probber Green and Blue Patterned Velvet Cube Armchairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century cube armchairs with bold patterned blue and green velvet upholstery with removable seat and back cushions. (HARVEY PROBBER)(PRICED AS Pair) Minor wear t...
Upholstery, Velvet
Harvey Probber, Caning, and Striped Upholstery Armchair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century armchair with a curved wood frame, caned sides and back, and a multi-colored striped seat cushion, resting on four tapered wooden legs. (HARVEY PROBBER)(Similar chair...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$4,550Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Gondola Lounge Arm Sculptural Side Chairs by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Wayne, NJ
Pair of gondola lounge arm side chairs by Harvey Probber. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contact us with your delivery zip code, as we may be able t...
Upholstery
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).
Upholstery, Fabric
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...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Pair of Harvey Probber Solid Bar Aluminum Lounge Chairs, 1960's
By Harvey Probber
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Harvey Probber 1427A Solid Bar Aluminum Lounge Chairs. Featuring solid Aluminum bar construction, ergonomic slant back, attached spacious cushions, with tufted Blue, Red, Whi...
Aluminum
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...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Ebony
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...
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
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...
Fabric, Upholstery
Harvey Probber Dark Wood, Caning, and Striped Upholstery Armchair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century armchair with a curved dark wood frame, caned sides and back, and a multi-colored striped seat cushion, resting on four tapered wooden legs. (HARVEY PROBBER)(Similar chair...
Fabric, Upholstery, 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...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Ebony
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
$9,000 / set
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.
Upholstery, Mahogany
$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 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.
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Barrel Back Lounge Chairs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant pair of barrel back lounge armchairs with chrome tube frames. Great size and shape, seat height is 18.75, very comfy with chrome in tip top shape. Upholstery is a ...
Chrome
Pair of Curvaceous Harvey Probber Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Curvaceous modern lounge chairs, designed by Harvey Probber, American, circa 1960s. They are currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be refinished in your choice...
Upholstery, Wood
$6,000
H 28 in W 28 in D 28 in
Harvey Probber Pair of Leather & Chrome Slipper Lounge Chairs Cantilevered Seats
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This elegant pair of Probber lounge chairs has a dynamic profile acheived by the use of a cantalievered seat supported by polished stainless steel frames...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Blue Velvet Armchairs
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Description: This exquisite pair of mid-century modern armchairs embodies both luxury and comfort, making them a perfect addition to any sophisticated interior. Upholstered in rich ...
Velvet, Beech
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.
Bouclé, Wood
Harvey Probber Lounge Chair 1955
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber Lounge Chair (1955) This classic lounge chair by Harvey Probber features gently used mohair upholstery, providing luxurious comfort and style. It includes a loose cush...
Mohair, Walnut
Pair of Mid Century Dining Armchairs Attributed to Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Well designed and crafted pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs attributed to Harvey Probber. Both have curved and caned back rests, tied spring upholstered vinyl upholstered seats an...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30 in W 21.5 in D 24 in
Set of Six Harvey Probber Style Dining Chairs 4 Side 2 Arm
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Squared bright chrome frames, original, but worn green fabric upholstery. Set consistes of four side chairs, and two arm, or captains, chairs. Dimensions in listing are for Arm chair...
Chrome
Pair of Harvey Probber Leather Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of cantilevered Harvey Probber leather lounge chairs c.1960s, USA. The leather chairs feature stainless steel chrome frames and tufted seat...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Pair of Paolo Buffa Blue Velvet Armchairs
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Paolo Buffa armchairs, circa 1950, upholstered in a cobalt-blue velvet. The chairs feature Buffa’s signature balance of refined Italian craftsmanship and sculptural modernism...
Velvet, Wood
$3,200 / set
H 29 in W 31 in D 33 in
Handsome Pair of Harvey Probber Style Cube Arm Chairs Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome pair of Harvey Probber style upholstered cube arm chairs. We love the solid walnut base that wraps completely around the bottom. Great moder...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 31 in D 27 in
Harvey Probber Wood, Caning, & Brown Fabric Upholstered Hoop Lounge Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century hoop form lounge armchair with a curved wooden frame, caned back, seat, and sides, and a dark brown fabric upholstered seat cushion and matching back cushion wit...
Fabric
Rare and Excellent Harvey Probber Oak and Leather Arm Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare armchair designed by Harvey Probber and coming from Probber's own personal home and collection. This is a basic armchair likely designed later due to the more postmodern design ...
Leather, Oak
Architectural Series lounge chair in leather by Harvey Probber in STOCK
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Measures: 30 x 30 x 30, SH 16” Leather
Leather, Oak
Harvey Probber Pair of 'Oval' Armchairs in Mahogany and Cane
By Harvey Probber
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Harvey Probber, pair of 'Oval' easy chairs, model '1066', mahogany, cane, off-white velvet, United States, 1950s This pair of lounge chairs is conceived by American designer Harv...
Velvet, Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 28 in W 31 in D 27 in
Harvey Probber Wood, Caning, and Brown Fabric Upholstered Hoop Lounge Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century hoop form lounge armchair with a curved wooden frame, caned back, seat, and sides, and a dark brown fabric upholstered seat c...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 24 in W 31.5 in D 26 in
Harvey Probber Wood, Caning, and Green Fabric Upholstered Hoop Lounge Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century hoop form lounge armchair with a curved wooden frame, caned back, seat, and sides, and a light green fabric upholstered seat ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Harvey Probber Side Chairs in Bouclé
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Harvey Probber side or lounge chairs. The chairs have mahogany and caned frames, splayed legs with a cushioned seat done in Bouclé. Mid-Century Modern.
Bouclé, Cane, Mahogany
Pair of Harvey Probber Elegant Cane Back Mahogany Framed Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful pair of Harvey Probber chairs. Stained mahogany frame. Lovely upholstery with beautifully caned back.
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
Harvey Probber Arm Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Harvey Probber arm chair model 1055. Harvey Probber Saber Leg arm chair. This chair is newly refinished and reupholstered in Noblilis Pairs V...
Velvet, Mahogany
Pair of Club Chairs on Walnut Plinth by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pair of club chairs designed and manufactured in the US by Harvey Probber. These chairs have great proportions, they are very confortable and they are in very good condi...
Upholstery, Wood
Model D43 Wicker and Chrome Chairs by Harvey Probber, Set of Three
By Harvey Probber
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of three chairs natural wicker and tubular chromed steel chairs designed by Harvey Probber and produced by Probber circa 1970 as the model D43.
Chrome
Sold
H 29 in W 26.5 in D 24 in
Harvey Probber Elegant Pair of Lounge Chairs with Caned Backs and Sides, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of elegant lounge chairs model no. 915 in mahogany with caned backs and sides with upholstered seats and pillow by Harvey Probber, American, 1950s.
Fabric, Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Mahogany