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Harvey Probber Benches

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
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 Benches

Materials

Wood

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 Benches

Materials

Lacquer

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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber Leather & Brass Bench
By Harvey Probber
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Harvey Probber button tufted leather mahogany and solid brass bench circa mid 1950’s. Newly upholstered and finished.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber Bench in Holly Hunt Upholstery with Brass Trim
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover a hard-to-find shorter bench by Harvey Probber, designed for those who appreciate rare mid-century modern furnishings. Unlike most, which are 57", this one is a compact 37" ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Benches

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 Benches

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Harvey Probber Knights Bench ca' 1950's
By Harvey Probber
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic "Knights" bench by Harvey Probber ca' 1950's. Mahogany slats with brass supports and an original suede cushion. In very good restored condition, cushion is not attached.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

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 Benches

Materials

Brass

Pair of Ottomans by Harvey Probber, New White Upholstery, Signed, Ready to Use
By Harvey Probber
Located in Kansas City, MO
Two matching Harvey Probber ottomans expertly reupholstered in a white / ivory soft blended fabric. The metal black enameled legs show signs of wear and some loss to the finish, but ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Upholstery

Large Harvey Probber Bench in Mohair Upholstery with Brass Trim
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A hard to find extra long bench by Harvey Probber. Most are only 57". This one is 71.5" wide. We have reupholstered in a yellow/mustard mohair. The bras...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Stools with Button Detailing by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and refined pair of stools were designed by the legendary Harvey Probber and handmade in Fall River, Massachusetts circa 1960. Probber believed that "aging gracefully" r...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Walnut

Harvey Probber Brass Frame Bench, 1960
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful brass frame bench by Harvey Probber circa 1960s. Fully restored, and reupholstered
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber Pair of Benches with Mahogany Legs and Castors 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of rectangular upholstered benches with round mahogany legs and brass castors by Harvey Probber, American 1950's. Refinished and reupholstered by Lobel Modern.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

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Handsome X-Long Bench Harvey Probber style Walnut Mid-Century Modern
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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...
Category

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Harvey Probber Midcentury Sectional Sofa
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Harvey Probber midcentury sectional sofa This sofa measures: 133 wide x 100 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 1...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

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Harvey Probber Attributed Mid Century Walnut Bench Reupholstered
By Harvey Probber
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Mid Century Walnut Bench, attributed to Harvey Probber, unsigned, American, circa 1960s. It has been recently reupholstered ...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Metal, Brass

Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa
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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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Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa
Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa
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Located in North Hollywood, CA
This vintage 1970s bench exudes timeless charm and sophistication. Upholstered in luxurious leather with a parchment design, it seamlessly blends classic appeal with modern elegance....
Category

1970s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

Vintage Leather and Brass Bench
Vintage Leather and Brass Bench
H 19 in W 84.5 in D 21.5 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...
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Brass

Vintage Handmade Primitive Arts and Crafts Style Wooden Petite Bench.
Located in Seattle, WA
Striking wood tone, possibly made from oak. This Bench could also be used as foot stool. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 24 W ; 9 D ; 12 H
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1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

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Previously Available Items
Harvey Probber Brass Frame Bench in Boucle, 1950
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber brass frame bench in Boucle, 1950. Reupholstered in cream nubby boucle.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber 'Knights' Mid Century 1950’s Bench Ottoman
By Harvey Probber
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Harvey Probber 'Knights' bench in striped African mahogany, brass and a new white Turkish bouclé upholstery. This unique piece has been newly refinished and upholstered.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

Elegant Harvey Probber Bench in Brass Mahogany and Knoll boucle Fabric
By Harvey Probber
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A stylish and elegant bench designed by Harvey Probber. Newly upholstered in Knoll North Island Boucle wool blend. The bench features brass capped solid mahogany legs which conceal an iron frame and features a brass stretcher with unique overlapped joints that floats underneath the perimeter of the bench top. Dimensions: 57.5" L x 19" D x 18" H. Condition: Legs and brass have original finish and show very nicely. The fabric was replaced with Knoll Luxe fabric...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

1950s Harvey Probber Pair Brass Floating Benches
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1950s Harvey Probber tufted benches. The benches have floating brass stretchers, mahogany legs and the original fabric. As a reference, th...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

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Brass

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 Benches

Materials

Travertine

Harvey Probber Bench with Floating Brass Stretcher, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful bench model PUB-57 with dark mahogany legs, upholstered seat, floating brass stretcher all around and sabots by Harvey Probber, American 1950's. Newly upholstered in leathe...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber Terrazzo and Walnut Coffee Table on Brass Casters
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Harvey Probber designed sculptural walnut base cocktail table with a thick terrazzo top shaped somewhere between a surfboard and a cartouche. The terrazzo top is affixed the walnut...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber Bench in Mahogany, Brass and Lush Green Mohair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Fully restored an iconic bench by Harvey Probber. Floating brass stretcher and brass sabots have been polished to their original luster. Mahogany wood frame and a plush mohair fabric.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber Brass Frame Bench in White Boucle, 1950
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber brass frame bench in white boucle, 1950. Brass and mahogany frames. Fully restored and reupholstered in white boucle.
Category

1950s American Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Bouclé

Harvey Probber Brass Frame Benches in White Boucle, Circa 1950
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber brass frame benches in white boucle, 1950’s. Brass and mahogany frames. Fully restored and reupholstered in white boucle.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Brass

Harvey Probber White Hide, Cerused Oak Bench
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Rare Mid-Century Modern Classic black/white Cerused oak plinth base bench with three white calf skin seats. Mint restored frame and new upholstery.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Hide, Oak

Harvey Probber Midcentury Cerused Oak/Shearling Bench, Signed
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Modernist American midcentury cerused oak bench with new upholstered seats in a dense shearling, solid stacked oak plank bases. Harvey Probber Inc, c 1960s. Signed.
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Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Benches

Materials

Oak, Sheepskin

Harvey Probber benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Harvey Probber benches 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 benches, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original benches by Harvey Probber were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider benches by Dunbar, Milo Baughman, and Widdicomb Furniture Co.. Prices for Harvey Probber benches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,200 and can go as high as $14,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,500.

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