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.
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
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
$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
$788
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
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
Rattan Bamboo Daybed Black Linen Cushion Mid Century Modern Style MINT
By Ficks Reed, McGuire, Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Rattan Bamboo Daybed Black Linen Cushion Mid Century Modern Style MINT
Upholstery, Rattan
Harvey Probber Curved Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Harvey Probber Curved Sofa Piece was commissioned for a Long Island, NY estate.
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Red Mohair Sofa and Daybed, 1950s Asymmetric Design
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
$3,761
H 27.56 in W 75.6 in D 32.29 in
Martin Visser BR02 Sofa/ Sofa bed/ Daybed by ‘t Spectrum, Dutch Mid-Century
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Listed is an iconic BR02 sofa / sofa bed / daybed by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum. Designed in 1960, this minimalist sofa can be converted in bed with one simple movement. Model no....
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Upholstered Platform Sofa Daybed
Located in Trenton, NJ
An American mid-century modern upholstered sofa or daybed featuring a low-profile wood platform frame, tapered legs, and removable back cushions, circa mid-20th century. The piece i...
Walnut
Classic Harvey Probber style 4 Seater Sofa Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Classic Harvey Probber style 4 seater sofa with chunky round feet. This is a designer delight in that it needs new upholstery-original is well worn and faded. We love the long low...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Sofa After Harvey Probber, 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This striking mid-century modern chrome sofa, inspired by the iconic designs of Harvey Probber and crafted in the United States during the 1960s, captures the perfect balance of refi...
Chrome
Daybed by Joaquim Tenreiro, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This daybed distills Tenreiro’s philosophy of weightlessness and purity of form. Reduced to its essential planes—a linear platform resting on discreet block supports—it embodies his ...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Vintage Daybed Leather Sofa Atrium by Wittmann
By Wittmann
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Wittman leather sofa daybed. Model Atrium. Black leather. Folds out to create a guest bed for two people. Vintage used condition. Dimensions per sleeping space: 200 x 90 cm The fa...
Metal
$2,571
H 31.5 in W 69.69 in D 33.47 in
Dutch Mid-Century Daybed Sofa with Black Metal Frame, Wooden Armrests, 1960s
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
A clean-lined Dutch daybed or sofa from the 1960s, with a slim black metal frame, a floating seat and backrest, and two solid wooden armrests. It has been professionally reupholstered in a soft, neutral sage-green fabric that suits its modernist design and makes it ready for daily use. Design The piece is all about horizontal lines and a light visual footprint. The black lacquered metal frame lifts the upholstered seat and back off the floor, so the sofa seems to float, while the two solid wood armrests with a warm natural finish add a touch of craft and contrast to the metal. It is a typical example of post-war European modernism, when designers looked for furniture that was light, practical and elegant, suited to the new, open living spaces of the time. Use With a width of 177 cm and a seat depth that invites you to stretch out, it works as a compact sofa, as a daybed in a study or guest room, or as a statement piece in a living room, hallway, gallery-like interior or boutique hospitality setting. The neutral colour makes it easy to style with cushions and throws, and it blends into minimalist as well as more layered interiors. Condition Very good condition. The sofa has been fully reupholstered, and the frame has been checked and is structurally sound. The black metal shows some scratches, as can be expected after more than 60 years. Please see the photos for details. Dimensions: height 80 cm, width 177 cm, depth 85 cm, seat height 40 cm. Style and comparable designers The daybed fits within the Dutch modernist tradition of the 1950s and 1960s, next to the metal-framed sofas and daybeds of Martin Visser for 't Spectrum and the modernist furniture of Gispen and Artifort. It pairs well with mid-century modern, Scandinavian, Bauhaus-inspired and Japandi interiors, and with classic modernist pieces in steel, leather and wood. Keywords: Dutch mid-century daybed, mid-century modern sofa, metal frame sofa, modernist daybed, 1960s sofa, Dutch design, post-war European design, sage green sofa...
Metal
$8,171
H 14.18 in W 72.84 in D 27.17 in
Danish Mid-Century Daybed, Teak Frame with Savak Wool Cushion, 1950s
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare daybed, produced in Denmark during the 1950s, is a refined representation of mid-century Scandinavian design, exemplifying the principles of functionality, simplicity, and ...
Fabric, Teak, Wool
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
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 ...