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.
$5,000 / set
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
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
$4,100Sale Price|25% Off
Harvey Probber Swivel Club Chair, circa 1960s, Reupholstered and Refinished
By Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Harvey Probber swivel club chair from circa 1960 has been refinished and reupholstered. Featuring a scalloped front end and loose seat cushion over a round wood swivel base whic...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Swivel Cube Chairs, Model 1461, by Harvey Probber, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in San Francisco, CA
Lovely pair of Mid-Century Modern swivel cube chairs by Harvey Probber from the 1950s. Upholstery updated in 2020 with Holly Hunt wool, and the cube rests upon a round wooden swivel ...
Wool, Wood
Set of Low-Profile Swivel Chairs by Harvey Probber, C. 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Westport, CT
A timeless pair of swivel chairs, designed by the iconic Harvey Probber in the 1950s and brought back to life by Stamford Modern through a comprehensive restoration process. These ch...
Twill, Oak
Harvey Probber Pair of Modern Swivel Cube Occasional Lounge Club Chairs, #1461
By Harvey Probber
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of modern swivel cube occasional chairs by Harvey Probber. Original heavy wool Knoll fabric, cube form chairs on a round swivel base. Model # 1461, ci...
Wool
Pair of Black Leather Harvey Probber Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
If you're looking for a set of classic barrel chairs that'll stand the test of time, consider Harvey Probber, Model 303A swiveling chairs. The chair's solid-body design is perfectly ...
Wood, Leather
Harvey Probber Brown Vinyl Upholstered Swivel Cube Lounge / Armchair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century cube form swivel lounge / armchair with brown vinyl upholstery. (HARVEY PROBBER).
Upholstery
$719Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 14.97 in D 16.93 in
Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chair in Wood and Metal, Germany, 1950s
Located in Berlin, DE
Swivel Chair in Wood with 4-legged base, Germany.
Metal
Swivel Lounge Chair Mid Century Modern Model 62 by G Plan
By G Plan Furniture
Located in London, GB
Once described as 'the worlds most comfortable chair' this reupholstered piece in Italian velvet will surely bring out your inner Bond Villain. Appearing in original black the model ...
Velvet
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
Mid Century Swivel Lounge Chair in the Style of Probber, Baughman
By Harvey Probber, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional mid century swivel lounge chair, having a fully upholstered bucket style seat and back, mounted on four spayed tapered pole legs. The frame features an exaggerated and dr...
Upholstery
Vintage Pair of Milo Baughman Style Swivel Chairs
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Roanoke, VA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman style swivel chairs in textured leopard upholstery with fabric-wrapped bases. Chairs are very comfortable and swivel nicely, heavy and and g...
Textile
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
Pair of 1960s Decorative Upholstered Swivel Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1960s decorative upholstered swivel lounge chairs. The chairs have down-filled cushioned seats.
Upholstery
Midcentury Swivel Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1960s Modern lounge chair with ottoman in bright green vinyl fabric. Swivel action with curved modern lines. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Fabric
Nautilus Swivel Chairs
By Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Nautilus Swivel chairs, Foe Directional original fabric, gently used.
Upholstery
Pair of Contemporary Modern Scalloped Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of unique modern lounge chairs make an elegant addition to any living room or office setting. Swivel bases and scalloped rounded s...
Fabric, Upholstery
Vintage Modern Velvet and Brass Swivel Club Chairs, Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning pair of swivel lounge chairs, recently recovered in a gold colored velvet. Features clean modern lines, barrel backs with the uppers raised on swivelling brass trimmed plint...
Brass
$1,109
H 32.29 in W 25.6 in D 23.63 in
Rattan Swivel Chair by Dirk Van Sliedregt for Gebroeders Jonkers, 1960s
By Dirk Van Sliedregt
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This rare rattan swivel chair was designed by Dirk van Sliedrecht for Gebroeders Jonkers. It has a chrome plated swivel base and a comfortable rattan seat. It is from the 1960s and h...
Chrome
Sold
H 27 in W 27 in D 31 in
Harvey Probber Swivel Lounge Chairs Upholstered in Camel Teddy Bear C. 1955
By Harvey Probber
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This pair of swiveling lounge chairs Model 303A by Harvey Probber is Mid Century Modern royalty. Any esteemed designer or lover of designer mid century furnishings will immediately spot these swivel lounge chairs - Harvey Probber! This esteemed design is part of a small group that defined that mid century modern look and sensibility. Lux mid century. Barrel back that envelops like a hug of support and soft comfort. Iconic Probber bow front frame...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
Harvey Probber Midcentury Swivel Barrel Chairs - Brown Boucle - Walnut Slipper
By Harvey Probber, Dunbar Furniture, Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Edward Wormley
Located in Decatur, GA
Pair of stunning Mid-Century Modern swivel slipper style barrel chairs with walnut plinth bases by Harvey Probber. Ultra soft sherpa boucle in a warm chocolatey brown - kind of like ...
Fabric, Walnut, Bouclé
Harvey Probber Midcentury Tufted Swivel Barrel Chairs, Walnut Plinth Base
By Harvey Probber, Dunbar Furniture, Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Edward Wormley
Located in Decatur, GA
Pair of stunning Mid-Century Modern tufted swivel slipper style barrel chairs with walnut plinth bases by Harvey Probber. Boucle style nubby white upholstery is in good condition and...
Fabric, Walnut
1960's Harvey Probber Swivel Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Southampton, NJ
Exceptionally well maintained 1960's Harvey Probber classic inverted curved front swivel lounge chair with bentwood swivel base. Unusually well maintained upholstery in rarely used c...
Upholstery, Bentwood
Harvey Probber Modern Swivel Lounge Club Chairs in Boucle
By Harvey Probber
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Harvey Probber swivel lounge chairs. New boucle upholstery. Medium walnut bases.
Upholstery, Wood
Harvey Probber Swivel Lounge Chairs, 1980
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Robber swivel lounge chair, 1970. All original.
Upholstery
1950's Harvey Probber Leather Barrel Back Swivel Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of crisply tailored club/lounge chairs by Harvey Probber, circa 1950's. The chairs feature deep seats with loose seat cushions and enveloping barrel backs making a cozy embrace,...
Brass
Cube Swivel Chairs by Harvey Probber, Model no. 1461
By Harvey Probber
Located in Westport, CT
Extremely rare low-wide profile swivel lounge chairs designed by Harvey Probber, circa 1950s. Newly upholstered in natural velvet. Walnut swivels fully restored.
Velvet, Walnut
Pair of Harvey Probber Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century Modern comfortable pair of swiveling lounge chairs designed by Harvey Probber, Model 303A. The chairs professionally re-covered in a black leatherette upholstery with dec...
Upholstery, Wood
Harvey Probber Swivel Club Chair in Original Fabric, circa 1960, Signed
By Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly cool signed Harvey Probber swivel club chair from circa 1960 possesses its original fabric, which remains in fantastic original vintage condition and ready to be used...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Olive Green Mohair Swivel Lounge Chairs by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A spectacular pair of swivel lounge chairs designed by Harvey Probber in the 1950s. The chairs have been newly recovered in a beautiful olive green mohair fabric. The base is dark br...
Mohair, Oak
Pair of Harvey Probber Cube Swivel Chairs, Signed
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Harvey Probber cube swivel chairs signed.
Upholstery