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.
Set of Three Harvey Probber Biscuit Tufted Ottomans / Stools
By Harvey Probber
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Set of Three Harvey Probber Biscuit Tufted Ottomans / Stools
Metal
$2,500Sale Price|26% Off
Brass Framed Biscuit Tufted Ottoman in Original Black Leather by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Square, brass-framed ottoman on casters with its original biscuit tufted, black leather upholstery, designed by Harvey Probber. A scarcely seen example of this form in all original c...
Brass
$4,510
H 18.51 in W 42.13 in D 25.6 in
FULLY RESTORED ANTiQUE VICTORIAN BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD TUFTED OTTOMAN STOOL
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare original, mid Victorian antique, large, fully restored, Chesterfield cigar brown leather ottoman bench...
Leather, Hardwood
4 x 4 Round Ottoman Deep Tufted Base Black Custom
Located in Ridgewood, NY
Bubbly and delicious, the hand-tufted 4 x 4 Round Ottoman beautifully shapes any space. The delicate crown of each tuft is fun, flirty, and begs to be sat on.
Fabric
$5,900 / set
H 14 in W 22 in D 22 in
Jacques Charpentier Mid-Century Modern Tufted Leather Ottoman Stool Pair
By Jacques Charpentier
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Jacques Charpentière Mid-Century Modern 1970 French stool, ottoman side tables in original tufted brown leather upholstery and polished chrome base. Very good original condi...
Chrome
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.5 in W 17 in D 16 in
Stylish Set of Three Harvey Probber Style Stool Bench, Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish set of three Harvey Probber style stools with original fabric. The dark finish is also original and shows only light wear.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Large Chesterfield Leather Tufted Ottoman, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A generously sized rectangular ottoman upholstered in rich brown tufted leather. Designed in the 1960s, Exuding classic Chesterfield sophistication with a modern versatility. Brass n...
Leather
Tufted Leather Round Ottoman
Located in Westwood, NJ
Tufted leather round ottoman with antiqued brown full-grain leather. Dimensions: 36" W x 36" D x 16" H Color variation is common and accept...
Leather
Oval Upholstered Tufted Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
Oval tufted ottoman with fringe detail at skirt. Upholstered in Robert Allen Dewdrop Fern Fabric
Fabric
Vintage-Style Tufted Leather Ottoman
Located in Westwood, NJ
Vintage-style leather tufted ottoman in brown leather. It features a solid hardwood frame wrapped in rich brown leather detailed with nailhead brass trim. The cushioned top is fixed ...
Leather
Tufted Leather Upholstery Ottoman by Croft House
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Tufted Ottoman is take on a classic design. Handcrafted with care, this ottoman features beautifully tufted leather upholstery in a warm caramel color, adding a plush touch to yo...
Leather
Ndidi Ottoman in Black Leather
Located in New York, NY
Crafted with a seamless blend of three layers of leather fringe, the Ndidi Ottoman boasts a sophisticated and fluid design, reminiscent of the popular Ndidi Sconce. The Ndidi Ottoman is part of the NeKeia Collection for Ngala Trading...
Leather
$3,651 / item
H 16.5 in W 36 in D 36 in
4 x 4 ottoman deep tufting walnut base button tufted channeling tufted ottoman
Located in Ridgewood, NY
Bubbly and delicious, the hand-tufted 4 x 4 ottoman beautifully shapes any space. The delicate crown of each tuft is fun, flirty, and begs to be sat on.
Fabric
Tufted Storage Ottoman
Located in Ridgewood, NY
This hand-tufted ottoman beautifully shapes any space. Its numerous delicate curves surround a classic form that is sizable enough to be appreciated by one or more people at a time. The comfortable crown of each tuft is fun and flirty, and begs to be touched. This piece is supported by hidden casters...
Fabric
Sold
H 16 in W 32.5 in D 32.5 in
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 ...
Upholstery
Sold
H 17.5 in W 48.75 in D 18.75 in
Harvey Probber Black Vinyl Biscuit Tufted Walnut Bench or Ottoman, USA, 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Miami, FL
Versatile bench, ottoman, or stool rendered in a square walnut frame with black biscuit tufted and self welt vinyl designed by Harvey Probber, USA, 1960s.
Upholstery, Faux Leather, Walnut
Pair of Ottoman Stools by Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Chic and stylish pair of stools designed by Harvey Probber. Both are in good original condition, the upholstered tops show cosmetic wear, usable as is or we can provide custom reupho...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 16.5 in W 28.5 in D 17 in
Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Tufted Velvet Chrome Bench Ottoman Seat 1970s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration are a gorgeous, Harvey Probber ottoman or bench seat, with tufted blue velvet on a chrome base, circa the 1970s. In very ...
Velvet
Harvey Probber Geometric Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber lounge chair with ottoman. Fully restored and reupholstered. Set appears to float with its reflective chrome bases.
Upholstery, Wood
Harvey Probber Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber lounge chair with ottoman. Fully restored. New textured velvet upholstery over espresso finish frame. Chair measures: 30 wide, 38 deep, 31 tall, 17 at seat. Ottoma...
Upholstery, Wood
Harvey Probber Cubo Ottomans on Chrome Bases
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Harvey Probber Cubo ottomans on chrome bases. Fully restored and reupholstered in grey velvet.
Chrome
Mid-Century Upholstered Ottoman on Casters by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Original wool upholstery in golden color. Tufted button top. Brass casters are in smooth working condition. Interior padding may be drying.
Brass
Round Ottoman by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Round ottoman with brass frame. Designed by Harvey Probber.
Brass
Harvey Probber Bench Ottoman
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber designed bench with brass frame. New leather upholstery.
Brass
Harvey Probber Chair and Ottoman
By Harvey Probber
Located in San Diego, CA
Large scale lounge chair and ottoman designed by Harvey Probber. Pieces are upholstered in dark brown heavy wool mohair. Lounge Chair: height=29" seat height=17" length=...
Pair of Rare Harvey Probber Modernist Stools
By Harvey Probber
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Rare Harvey Probber Modernist Stools, American, circa 1950's. They are currently upholstered in their original green silk fabric with black lacquered wooden legs. They are in...
Upholstery