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 Sliding Door Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sliding door cabinet designed by Harvey Probber, featuring dark mahogany with rich rosewood doors. Left side offers drawers, right side offers open shelving storage. Set on tapered l...
Brass
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Harvey Probber Bleached Mahogany and Tiffany Blue Leather Front Cabinets
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare pair of Harvey Probber two door cabinets with Tiffany blue leather covered recessed door panels. Bleached and toned mahogany casement, conica...
Leather, Mahogany, Lacquer
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Harvey Probber Bleached Mahogany & Ivory Leather Tall Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber bleached mahogany tall dresser or gentleman's chest, with ivory leather-clad sliding doors that feature brass flat bar appointments. Behind the doors there are four dr...
Brass
Midcentury Modern Decagon Cabinet by Harvey Prober, circa 1950
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Midcentury Modern walnut Decagon cabinet by Harvey Probber, circa 1950. With the original label. The interior features an open storage space with one top drawer.
Walnut
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
Custom Harvey Probber Rosewood / Lacquer and Steel Bi-Fold Door Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning cabinet custom made for M&T Corporate office's,,,downtown Buffalo NY,, Wonderful book-matched rosewood,,left and right b-fold doors /shelves.. center door /four drawers.. Bl...
Steel
Harvey Probber Signed Sideboard in Mahogany with Gold Trim, 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Fully restored. Harvey Probber sideboard with two front sliding doors in a gold leaf finish. Interior has four sets of drawers on each side. Right side of sideboard has four sets of ...
Brass
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Magnificent Harvey Probber Decagon Bar Cabinet Table Mid-Century
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent Harvey Probber bleached rosewood decagon bar cabinet. Highly figured bleached rosewood veneer on both the inside and outside case, with mahogany top, handles and plinth...
Rosewood, Mahogany
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Wonderful Signed Harvey Probber Wall Mounted Credenza Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wall-mounted credenza by Harvey Probber, American, 1950s. “Harvey Probber” label inside the top drawer on right side. This piece measures 22.5"t x 77.25"l x 18"d.
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Early Knoll Walnut 2-Door Credenza
By Florence Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Diminutive credenza from the early 1950s. Walnut top is new veneer replacing worn Formica. Leather pulls a signature Florence Knoll design mark. Two sliding doors open to reveal two ...
Steel
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.75 in W 70.5 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Bleached Ribbon Mahogany Long Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber long, low credenza or sideboard with four ascending height drawers and pair of shelved cabinets measuring 16.5" wide x 21" high. Sleek conical brass pulls and dark mah...
Brass
$4,800
H 58 in W 42 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Espresso Mahogany Sliding Doors 10 Drawers Gentlemen's Chest Mint
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Harvey Probber Espresso mahogany sliding doors 11 drawers gentlemen's chest highboy dresser mint Cork lined drawers.
Mahogany
Deep Relief Steel Front Sideboard Cabinet PE-42 by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large and stunning sculpted-front cabinet by Paul Evans (1931-1987), model PE-42, made in 1970 in his studio for Directional. The model was one of the largest case pieces made by P...
Slate, Steel
Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Jatoba Wood Credenza
By Ico Parisi
Located in Weesp, NL
Mid-Century Modern Jatoba wood Ico Parisi cabinet A spectacular bespoke trumeau designed by Ico Parisi and very likely produced by Ariberto Colombo, by special order only. Very few p...
Brass
Swedish pine cabinet circa 1950.
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Swedish cabinet with 14 drawers made in solid pine. Typical Folk art all hand crafted, good original condition. thsi cabinet can be related to Axel einar hjorth style in sweden in th...
Pine
$11,304
H 53.15 in W 39.77 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Modern Cabinet by Erik Matsson, Mjölby Intarsia, Sweden, 1940s
By Mjölby Intarsia
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful cabinet from Mjölby Intarsia, made from mahogany with doors inlayed with a paradisical naturalism motif by Erik Matsson. It depicts a man and animals on a small island, car...
Mahogany
Swedish pine cabinet circa 1950
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Axel Einar Hjorth style small cabinet made in solide pine with three open drawers. The pine has been stained, no structural damage, good original patina and condition.
Pine
$3,895
H 43 in W 43.5 in D 20 in
Mid Century Scandinavian Rosewood Bar Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1970 Scandinavian bar cabinet in dramatically figured rosewood veneer features two sliding glass doors on the top section over three felt lined drawers on one side and a storage compartment with internal shelf on the other. Tapered legs. Unknown maker. Very good overall vintage condition. Open Shelf Sections...
Glass, Rosewood
Mid century Danish rosewood cabinet with sliding doors
By Carlo Jensen
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful mid century Danish rosewood cabinet or compact credenza, with sliding doors and inlaid pulls. Has adjustable shelves in each side - two on left side and one on right side. ...
Rosewood
Sliding Door Bar Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sliding door two door cabinet from the late 1950s with two shelves. Ribbed textured doors in good vintage condition. Doors slide with ease. Cast iron hairpin legs. Two tone wood fram...
Steel
Campaign Style Lacquered Tall Fitted Cabinets by Henredon, Pair
By Henredon
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Campaign style chifforobes or cabinets, made by esteemed American manufacturer, Henredon. Part of Henredon’s early Scene One collection. Each cabinet professionally lacquered...
Brass
Harvey Probber Rattan and Mahogany Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Harvey Probber, cabinet, rattan, mahogany and brass, United States, 1950s. This piece by Probber features a mahogany body. The mahogany functions as a frame for the rattan doors....
Brass
Harvey Probber Flip-Top Bar Cabinet, 1950s, Refinished
By Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unique flip-top bar cabinet by Harvey Probber, circa 1950s, is packed full of useful features and is beautifully crafted from bleached Mahogany, doors with contrasting grain whi...
Formica, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 81 in W 26 in D 13.5 in
Vintage Harvey Probber Alternating Door Display Cabinets Rosewood & Ebonized Oak
By Harvey Probber
Located in Buffalo, NY
Outstanding set of four rosewood and ebonized oak alternating door display cabinets /bookcase lighted with glass shelves designed by Harvey Probber cir...
Glass, Wood, Rosewood
Sold
H 81 in W 26.13 in D 13.5 in
Harvey Probber Rosewood and Ebonized Wood Lighted Bookcase or Display Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern lighted wall unit, bookcase, or display cabinet By Harvey Probber USA, 1960s Stunning Brazilian rosewood, with...
Oak, Rosewood
Harvey Probber Chic Illuminating Bar Cabinet 1950s 'Signed'
By Harvey Probber
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Elegant bar cabinet in mahogany with polished brass pulls and legs with drop down front and illuminated interior by Harvey Probber, American 1950s (signed “Furniture...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Sliding Front Cabinet by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Trenton, NJ
This handsome Mid-Century Modern cabinet from Harvey Probber features fabric wrapped sliding doors concealing side-by-side shelved storage and wide lacquered drawers. The versatile mix of interior storage make this the perfect storage cabinet for any setting, from bedroom to office or living room. The carved wood handles and brass sabot legs...
Wood
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
Harvey Probber Two Bay Mahogany and Cane Sliding Door Chests
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Cane front, brass detailing on legs and sliding track, three doors on left side and open area on right. Can accommodate a shelf which can be included if desired.
Brass
Harvey Probber Cane Sliding Door Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Seattle, WA
Free standing sliding door mahogany cabinet with inset caned doors by Harvey Probber, American, 1950s. Small hole in the cut on the back corner of the middle compartment.
Cane, Mahogany
Sold
H 74 in W 71.25 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Rosewood and Brass Breakfront Bookcase or Bar Cabinet, Refinished
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern breakfront bookcase, sideboard, or bar cabinet By Harvey Probber USA, 1950s Rosewood, with brass trim. Mea...
Brass
Sold
H 29.75 in W 42 in L 29.75 in
Harvey Probber Mahogany and Brass Woven Front Sliding Door Credenza, Refinished
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern woven front sliding door credenza or cabinet By Harvey Probber USA, 1960s Mahogany, with brass accents and brass-capped feet. Measures: ...
Brass
Sold
H 81 in W 52 in D 13.5 in
Harvey Probber "Trophy Cabinet" in Mahogany and Brazilian Rosewood, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Illuminated "Trophy Cabinet" (Model #1156) in mahogany with Brazilian rosewood doors and glass shelves designed by Harvey Probber, American 1950’s. This...
Glass, Mahogany, Rosewood