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.
Mahogany and Brass Daybed by Harvey Probber, C. 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Westport, CT
Mahogany and brass daybed by Harvey Probber, fully restored by Stamford Modern. Reupholstered in refined oatmeal twill for a soft, timeless look. The mahogany frame has been brought ...
Brass
Mid Century Daybed Sofa by Harvey Probber with Lavender Leather Cushions
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional, chic, voguish and rare mid century sofa, daybed, designed by Harvey Probber. This stunning example features an architectural frame constructed of solid brass and mahogan...
Brass
$6,628Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 80.32 in D 35.44 in
Newly Upholstered Daybed by Bonacina, Italy, 1950s
By Bonaccina
Located in Berlin, DE
Daybed by Bonacina in newly upholstered white fabric.
Fabric, Upholstery
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.5 in W 115 in D 35 in
Wonderful 2 Piece Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa Mid-century
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful 2 piece signed Harvey Probber sectional sofa. This piece is in vintage condition with it's original floral tapesty fabric which does show wear. This sofa will definitely n...
Upholstery
$6,318
H 21.66 in W 34.85 in D 77.56 in
Daybed with Mahogany Frame in the Manner of Charlotte Perriand, France 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
French daybed from the 1950s, defined by a clear, architectural mahogany frame and a refined sense of proportion. Newly upholstered, the piece reflects the postwar French approach to...
Metal
Original 1950s Danish 3-Seat Sofa or Daybed
Located in Markington, GB
1950s Danish 3-seat sofa or daybed Lovely 1950s part wood framed sofa in very good condition, it has blanket storage underneath and folds down into a very useful daybed Measure...
Fabric, Teak
Mid Century Teak Daybed, 1960s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice teak daybed, fabricated in The Netherlands in the 60's. It has 4 folding feet, see the last pictures. The mattress is renewed with new foam and it has just been uphols...
Bouclé, Teak
$822
H 29.53 in W 73.23 in D 25.99 in
Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960's
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood Dimensions at layout: Height:41cm, depth:84cm, width:186cm Original condition.
Fabric, Wood
Red Mohair Sofa and Convertible Daybed, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Dramatic mid-century red mohair sofa that converts to a daybed in a great size. Asymmetric with dog-bone shape, a popular style in the 1950s.
Mohair, Wood
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
Rohé daybed rattan bed rotan Noordwolde 1950s Holland
By Rohe Noordwolde
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rohe Noordwolde Holland 1950s Rattan Daybed . Stunning Bed , needs a 190 cm x 80 cm matrass . please ask for better shipping solutions .
Rattan
$8,500
H 23.04 in W 77.56 in D 33.86 in
Daybed by Johannes Andersen for Østergaard & Thaarsti, Denmark 1950s
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Utrecht, NL
The rise of Danish furniture is deeply rooted in the transformative shift in design philosophy during and post-World War II. Faced with material scarcity, designers pivoted towards a...
Fabric, Wood
$3,147
H 20.48 in W 77.17 in D 36.62 in
Gastone Rinaldi plywood, metal and brass daybed by Rima, Italy, 1950s
By Gastone Rinaldi, RIMA
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Wood and metal daybed with brass elements, upholstered mattress and cushions, produced by Rima, designed by Gastone Rinaldi, 1950s The headboard and footboard of this daybed, produc...
Metal, Brass
Jacques Adnet Daybed, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional leather and oak daybed by Jacques Adnet. The entire frame is wrapped in dark green leather with signature Adnet contrast stitching and brass hardware. Cane style paneling on all sides. Only the two crossbars underneath the bed are not wrapped in leather. Extremely collectible and rare bed...
Brass, Steel
Harvey Probber Tete-A-Tete Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant Harvey Probber tete-a-tete sofa. Ebonized base.
Daybed Designed by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany daybed with brass supports and mohair upholstery. Designed by Harvey Probber.
Monumental Daybed by Harvey Probber in COM
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Oversize daybed with three cushions by Harvey Probber. USA, circa 1950. All new rebuilt construction with feather-down cushions and ebonized wood ...