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.
Harvey Probber Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Credenza and Hutch
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 70.5 wide x 18 deep x 30.25 inches high The hutch measures: 56.75 wide x 14 deep x 52.75 inch...
Brass
Mid-Century Walnut China Cabinet Buffet Hutch
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful, retro Mid-Century Modern detailed proportioned walnut buffet China cabinet in great original condition. The hutch is one solid-piece, featuring two sliding glass doors on ...
Glass, Walnut
Harvey Probber Executive Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Harvey Probber executive credenza with four drawers, one file drawer and two open cabinets in solid walnut with mahogany edges and legs. Finished o...
Walnut, Mahogany
1960s Teak Falster Style 2-Piece Buffet Hutch Credenza
By Dyrlund, Bernhard Pedersen & Son, Falster Møbelfabrik
Located in Bensalem, PA
Please look at pictures for overall details feel free to email with any questions
Glass, Teak
$2,995
H 32.75 in W 65.25 in D 18.5 in
Mid-Century Modern 5 Drawer Dresser 2 Door with Leather Brass Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant long mahogany dresser by Harvey Probber. Five graduated drawers with solid brass pulls on the right side. Two leather doors with solid brass strips which conceal four pull out drawers and three pull out shelves...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Storage Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful rosewood and Mahogany storage cabinet features side by side storage behind elegant sliding doors. Shelf space on one side with set of four drawers on the other, this v...
Rosewood, Mahogany
Harvey Probber Bleached Mahogany Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bleached Mahogany Credenza by Harvey Probber. This credenza is in good vintage condition and has a patina commensurate with its age. Four white accent drawers can be revealed by sl...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern hutch featured in rich rosewood grain, Lucite base, four drawers, spacious storage space, and brass trimming. Please confirm the item location (NY or NJ).
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Baumritter Maple Buffet and Hutch
By Viko Baumritter, Baumritter
Located in Raymondville, TX
A vintage mid-century modern two piece buffet and hutch by Viko Baumritter circa 1960. Crafted from maple wood with a beautiful natural aged patina, this spectacular display cabinet ...
Glass, Maple
Harvey Probber Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Harvey Probber Credenza with 2 vinyl and brass sliding doors and pull out drawers. Formica Top is very convincing! In fact I will admit I thought it was wood when I bought the piec...
Brass
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 77.25 in D 18 in
Magnificent Burl Harvey Probber Credenza Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fantastic burl wood credenza by Harvey Probber. This cabinet has four drawers and two burled front sliding doors revealing two adjustable shelves.
Brass
Mid-Century Dresser Designed by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome Mid-Century Modern highboy dresser designed by Harvey Probber. Dark mahogany exterior throughout. The cabinet doors show an interesting woven pattern with vertical brass acc...
Brass
Harvey Probber Rosewood and Ebonized Mahogany Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Denton, TX
Harvey Probber rosewood and ebonized mahogany twelve-drawer dresser recently restored.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Harvey Probber Mid Century Mahogany and Cane China Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber mid century mahogany and cane china cabinet The china cabinet bottom measures: 42 wide x 18 deep x 26.5 inches high The china cabinet top...
Cane, Glass, Mahogany
Sold
H 78.5 in W 70.5 in D 18.5 in
Harvey Probber Mid Century Bleached Mahogany and Brass Buffet and Hutch
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber mid century bleached mahogany and brass buffet and hutch Buffet and hutch measures: 70.5 wide x 18.5 deep x 78.5 inches...
Brass
Midcentury Harvey Probber Office Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage modern sideboard boasts a sturdy brass frame with castors ensuring convenient movement. A stunning rosewood wood grain on top adds allure to any setting. This ...
Brass
Harvey Probber Credenza with Caned Panels
By Harvey Probber
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Classic Harvey Probber mahogany credenza with caned panels and drawers. Brass sabots and cork lined drawers are just some of the details that dist...
Natural Wood Harvey Probber Buffet
By Harvey Probber, M2L BRAND
Located in New York, NY
M2L Harvey Probber buffet Natural Anigre wood Measures: 78” W x 19.75” D x 33” H With leather drawer insert Original price: $9,990.
Wood
Sold
H 36.5 in W 77 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Ebonized Walnut and Brass Sideboard by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated sideboard was designed by Harvey Probber, circa 1960- and handmade in Fall River, Massachusettes. Probber was a pioneering force in American modernism. He created highly-sought after pieces that were thoroughly modern but less severe than much of the Bauhaus-inspired furniture coming out of Europe. Exceptionally proportioned and executed in ebonized walnut, this sideboard is stunning testament to his enduringly appealing aesthetic. Divided into two compartments, the right side features a set of four, vertically stacked drawers, while the left offers a set of basket...
Brass
Harvey Probber Hanging Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Harvey Probber hanging credenza in a bleached mahogany with canned sliding doors which reveal four slid out drawers. Credenza may be hung at any heigh...
Brass
Early and Rare Chest by Harvey Probber, Mahogany with Wrought Iron Base
By George Nelson, Harvey Probber, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
This early and rare chest by Harvey Probber is Classic modernism at it's best and highly functional! The sliding doors open to reveal white lacquered drawers on the left and open she...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Large Chest by Harvey Probber in Dark Mahogany and Rosewood, 1960s
By Harvey Probber, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Large dresser by Harvey Probber in dark mahogany with rosewood sliding doors, 1960s. Drawer pulls are rosewood with brass detail. Classic design and tons of storage. Whether furnis...
Brass
Large Two-Piece Floating Mahogany Buffet by Harvey Probber Studio, 1965
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Large two-piece floating mahogany buffet by Harvey Probber Studio, 1965. Total length of 130 inches. Excellent condition. Felt lined silver drawer, spun brass pulls and lots of stora...
Brass
Mid Century Ratan and Walnut Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pasadena, CA
This buffet features two sliding doors opening on one shelf on one side and 3 drawers on the left. Doors are fronted with rattan. Beautiful dark grain pattern in the wood. Brass c...
Rattan, Walnut
Vintage Sideboard by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elegant Harvey Probber sideboard features leather sliding doors on the left revealing white lacquered interior drawers for storage, and four dovetailed drawers with solid brass pulls...
Brass