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.
$10,395 / set
Harvey Probber Mid Century Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber Mid Century lounge chairs - Pair This chair measures: 26 wide x 26 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height of 25.25 inches All pieces of f...
Chrome
Pair of Cane Back Lounge Chairs by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of mahogany lounge chairs with cane backs designed by Harvey Probber.
Mahogany
Lounge Chair by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Chic and stylish mid century lounge chair designed by Harvey Probber. This example is in good original condition, showing light cosmetic wear normal and consistent with age. Measur...
Upholstery, Wood
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 ...
Upholstery, Walnut
$6,900 / set
Harvey Probber Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rarely seen pair of lounge chairs. Comfortable and stylish.
Aluminum
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.
Mahogany
$2,600 / set
H 34.75 in W 18 in D 18 in
Set of Four Mid Century Dining Chairs Attributed to Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Stylish set of Mid-Century Modern dining chairs, attributed to Harvey Probber. These chairs are solid walnut, with metallic vinyl upholstered seats, wood finish, and upholstered seat...
Upholstery, Walnut
$8,500 / set
H 36 in W 20 in D 22 in
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...
Brass
$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
6 Harvey Probber Cane Back Dining Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of six original Harvey Probber dining chairs from the collection of a 35 year employee in Fall River, MA. Nearly in New Old Stock (NOS) condition. Minimalist design with loose cu...
Cane
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
$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
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 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 ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage Boho Harvey Probber Swivel Chairs - A Pair
By Harvey Probber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your living space with this exceptional pair of Vintage Boho swivel chairs, designed by the iconic Harvey Probber. These chairs embody a sophisticated blend of Boho Chic and ...
Metal
$3,900 / set
H 28 in W 30 in D 32 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs in the the of Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek pair of upholstered lounge chairs straight out of the 1960s. These are all original chairs and will need recovering. The foam & padding are very good.
Fabric, Wood
On Hold|$5,850
H 32.25 in W 37 in D 37 in
Harvey Probber Lounge Chair, Restored, Purple Maharam Fabric and Brass Legs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Kansas City, MO
Large and very comfortable lounge chair designed by Harvey Probber. Expertly reupholstered in purple Maharam Hallingdal fabric. Polished brass tubular legs.
Brass
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 28 in D 29 in
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 ...
Upholstery, Wood
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
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
Sold
H 38.75 in W 26 in D 23 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Gondola Slipper Chairs by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully proportioned and elegantly fashioned Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Gondola Slipper Chairs are by the esteemed designer Harvey Probber and originate from the United S...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Harvey Probber Club Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Harvey Probber was a mid-century furniture designer who was known for his simple yet elegant designs. These chairs show both of these qualities with their wide seats and gentle curve...
Silk, Mahogany
Pr. Probber Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Chic and elegant pair of mid century armless, saber leg, lounge chairs designed by Harvey Probber. Both chairs are structurally sound and sturdy, both show significant cosmetic wear ...
Upholstery
Pr. Lounge Chairs by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Chic sophisticated lounge chairs by Harvey Probber having solid wood frames, caned backs and an upholstered seat. Both chairs are in very good original condition, showing light cosme...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Harvey Probber Mid Century Wicker and Chrome Cantilever Dining Chair
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Harvey Probber
Located in Baltimore, MD
An amazing vintage model D43 wicker and chrome cantilever chair designed by Preben Fabricius & Jorgen Kastholm for Harvey Probber in Denmark. A rare chair of Probber chairs featuring a cube shaped frame with a woven wicker seat, back and sides resting on a tubular chrome cantilever base. This square club style chair with a cantilevered base and loose cushions has a classic modern design and is wildly comfortable enough to be used without cushions. Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm worked together between 1960-1968 in Denmark and designed for many different Danish manufacturers including Harvey Probber. This rare vintage chair...
Chrome
Sold
H 35 in W 20 in D 21.5 in
Draft Harvey Probber MCM Bleached Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber mid century bleached mahogany and cane dining chairs - set of 6 These chairs measure: 20 wide x 21.5 deep x 35 inches ...
Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 27 in W 21.5 in D 19 in
Set of 4 Fabricius and Kastholm Harvey Probber D 43 Cantilevered Dining Chairs
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Chic, architectural set of iconic D 43 dining chairs, by Fabricius and Kastholm for Harvey Probber. All four are in good condition, free of damage to the chrome or wicker. The wicker...
Chrome
Sold
H 27 in W 21.5 in D 20 in
Four Harvey Probber Chrome and Wicker Fabricius and Kastholm Cantilever Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Baltimore, MD
An amazing set of 4 vintage model D43 wicker and chrome cantilever chairs designed by Preban Fabricius & Jorgen Kastholm for Harvey Probber in Denmark. A rare set of Probber chairs featuring cube shaped frames with a woven wicker seat, back and sides resting on a tubular chrome cantilever base. These square club style chairs with a cantilevered base and loose cushions have a Classic modern design that are wildly comfortable enough to be used without cushions. Preban Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm worked together between 1960-1968 in Denmark and designed for many different Danish manufactures including Harvey Probber. These rare vintage chairs...
Chrome
Pair of Midcentury Harvey Prober Upholstered Slipper Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Pair of midcentury Harvey Prober side chairs in an elegant Klismos style, upholstered in grey twill
Wood
Sold
H 32 in W 20 in L 32 in
Pair Harvey Probber Matching Flat Spindle Back Midcentury Architectural Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in West Hartford, CT
Pair of matching Harvey Probber architectural chairs with flat spindle backs. Made of walnut. Iconic Probber chairs that are from the 1970...
Fabric, Walnut