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.
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...
Walnut
Jean Pierre Bernard, Side Tables, Steel, Haitian, 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of two steel side tables / end tables, produced by Jean Pierre Bernard. Haiti, 1960s. Acquired by Harvey Probber Furniture.
Metal
$3,850Sale Price|30% Off
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.
Brass
$12,000 / set
Pair of Knights Benches, by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Greensboro, NC
Pair of "Knights" benches by Harvey Probber. Lacquered mahogany with brass rail details. Very good to excellent condition, with minimal crazing to lacquer, see photos for detail.
Brass
$4,000Sale Price|42% Off
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...
Brass
Pair Harvey Probber Mid Century Asian Modernist Walnut and Upholstered Stools
By Harvey Probber
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Mid-Century iconic Architectural Design Asian Modernist Stools with Button Detailing by the legendary Harvey Probber. Lacquered walnut and Clean, firm upholstery. Measure 16...
Upholstery, Walnut
$6,100 / set
Set of Three Harvey Probber Stools
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Set of three Harvey Probber stools. Has square walnut legs on casters. Off-white and rust embroidered floral cushioned seats. Mid Century Modern.
Fabric, Walnut
$2,950 / set
H 15 in W 17 in D 17 in
Trio of Square Upholstered Stools in Emerald Velvet and Pecan Probber Style
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This trio of stools have been lovingly reupholstered in a wonderful emerald velvet that enhances the beauty of the pecan wood base. These stools have casters that you can keep or I'l...
Velvet
Pair of Spanish Stools in Wood and Leatherette, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful pair of wooden Spanish colonial stools with trimming details. Spain, 1950s. These stools are supported on trestle bases with lyre legs. The tops wear the original upholste...
Brass
$1,016 / set
H 20.87 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Pair of Mid Century Bamboo and Rattan Side Tables, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Very nice, understated yet very typical bamboo & rattan side tables. Two different heights: 44 cm and 53 cm The base areas are 33 x 33 cm and 41 x 41 cm.
Bamboo, Rattan
$1,200 / set
H 14.5 in Dm 17 in
Wonderful Pair of Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Stools Benches Mid-Century Modern
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful pair of Arthur Umanoff stacking stools from the 1964 Grenada Collection for Boyuer Scott, Shaver Howard collections. This pair is in wonderful vintage condition with a love...
Iron
Side Table, 1960s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Vintage side table Period: 1960s Material: wood, formica Colour: Clear, dark red Condition: good original vintage condition, signs of use dimensions: Height = 58cm, di...
Hardwood
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" ...
Brass
$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
Harvey Probber Style Mid Century Walnut Swivel Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber Style Mid Century Walnut Swivel Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 30 wide x 35 deep x 25 high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height/chair clearance of 18.5...
Upholstery, Walnut
Ico Parisi Sculptural Ebonized Bench circa 1950
Located in CA, CA
A striking Italian bench by Ico Parisi standing on six black ebonized legs of sculptural tapering form.
Wood
$1,295 / set
H 14.5 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
Founders Style Mid Century Oak Rolling Upholstered Stools - Pair
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Founders Style Mid Century Oak Rolling Upholstered Stools - Pair Each stool measures: 17.5 wide x 17.5 deep x 14.5 high, with a seat height of 14.5 inches Great Vintage Condition. ...
Upholstery, Oak
Montgomery Woven Leather Bench 60in
By Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Montgomery Bench by Crump and Kwash Solid wood frame / handwoven vegetable tanned leather seat / no VOC oil finish Dimensions: 18 H x 16 D x 60 ...
Leather, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Walnut Staple Stool / Side Table
Located in Portland, OR
Oregon Black Walnut stool / side table is made to last. Handmade in Portland, Oregon with mortise and tenon joinery in Material's workshop. Availab...
Walnut
Harvey Probber Cane Stool
By Harvey Probber
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A great example from Probber's Artisan Collection. This stool is a prototype of a design. We like to use it as a side table.
Cane, Wood
Sold
H 15.75 in W 26 in D 16 in
Harvey Probber Knights Bench in Mahogany and Brass with Provenance, 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 finished with brass accents. A timeless design, this example comes f...
Brass
Harvey Probber Knights Bench / Stool
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany "Knights bench" by Harvey Probber.
Mahogany
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
Pair of "Knights" Benches by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Pair of "Knights" benches by American designer Harvey Probber. Intricate frame of lacquered wood with brass details.
Brass
Harvey Probber Brass X-Base Stool or Bench
By Harvey Probber
Located in North Miami, FL
This Classic vintage brass X-frame base bench by Harvey Probber has been polished and reupholstered.
Brass
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
Harvey Probber Stool
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Mahogany stool on casters. Original upholstery.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Stools by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of stools by Harvey Probber, square form with quarter-rounded legs. Original tufted upholstery. Price is for the pair.
Upholstery, Wood
Harvey Probber Knights Benches
By Harvey Probber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Harvey Probber bench's.
Brass
Knight's Bench by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Rare iconic Harvey Probber knight's bench. Mid Century 1950's stool made of bent mahogany and polished brass fitting. Original condition, some wear consistent with use and age. Ha...
Brass
Harvey Probber Brass Leg Stool
By Harvey Probber
Located in St. Louis, MO
Midcentury brass leg stool by Harvey Probber