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 Sideboard with Sliding Grasscloth Doors
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Mid-Century Modern sideboard/cabinet of drawers by Harvey Probber in original grain painted blonde mahogany with four matching large center drawers having distinctive Probber recessed pulls and two sliding doors paneled...
Grasscloth, Mahogany
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
$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
Harvey Probber Mahogany Credenza With sliding Rosewood Doors and Drawers
By Harvey Probber
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large 6 foot five inch long mahogany cabinet housing two rosewood sliding doors alongside four graduated drawers. One door holds adjustable shelv...
Brass
Large Harvey Probber Sideboard in Rosewood
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A spectacular large sideboard by Harvey Probber. This sideboard offers plenty of storage. The design is dramatic with a rosewood finish and book matched drawers. This is hard to find...
Rosewood
American Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Dresser / Sideboard by Harvey Probber 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Stamford, CT
American Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Dresser / Sideboard by Harvey Probber 1960s Harvey Probber Dresser in Rosewood and Ebonized Mahogany United States c. 1960's. Six drawer dresser ...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Minimalist 1960s Harvey Probber Credenza with Calacatta Marble Top
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Well proportioned credenza designed by Harvey Probber with Minimalist polished solid flat bar aluminum base and rectangular block hardware. The calacatta gold marble top has a really...
Marble, Aluminum
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
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
$12,400Sale Price|20% Off
Harvey Probber Sideboard Cabinet, 1970's
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Harvey Probber Sideboard interior fitted with banks of enameled sliding shelves and drawers. Sliding fire-enameled copper doors and exterior drawers. This cabinet is newly refinished...
Copper
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
Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Sideboard, 1960s
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Low Rosewood sideboard, 1960s Beautiful Danish Modern low sideboard in minimalistic style attributed to Danish designer Arne Vodder for Sibast. Front with...
Rosewood
$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
Danish Midcentury Sideboard in Rosewood, 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Great looking sideboard in rosewood designed and made in Denmark, 1960s. Great original condition.
Rosewood
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
Sold|$1,850
H 33 in W 77 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Mid Century Modern Credenza - Black Lacquer - Mahogany - Brass
By Harvey Probber
Located in Decatur, GA
Vintage credenza by Harvey Probber, circa 1950s. Black lacquer and mahogany with brass accents. All original. Good condition with minor losses and wear.
Brass
$7,168
H 31.89 in W 73.63 in D 16.93 in
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard dresser with Mirror by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Italian mid-century sideboard i produced by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. This sideboard has excellent manufacturing aspects, noticeable from the arched line, hard transparent glass s...
Brass
$1,792
H 31.89 in W 38.98 in D 15.75 in
Cabinet Credenza Sideboard with Sliding Door by Ico Parisi for MiM, Italy 1960s
By MIM Roma
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning small sideboard with sliding doors in wood and aluminum designed by Ico Parisi and produced by MiM Roma in Italy during the 1960s. The sideboard is signed inside. In amazin...
Metal, Aluminum
George III Style Mahogany Credenza
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine George III style flame mahogany and morado banded side cabinet with fine double stringing throughout, the serpentine top with a parquetry edge above two panel inlaid drawers w...
Wood
$1,760Sale Price|44% Off
H 33 in W 65.5 in D 18.5 in
Harvey Probber Mahogany Credenza, Mid-Century Modern, USA, 1950s
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
$2,986
H 30.71 in W 98.04 in D 18.12 in
Fristho Franeker large sideboard in rosewood The Netherlands 1960
By Fristho
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Large sideboard by Fristho Franeker, produced in the Netherlands in the 1960s. It is an impressive example of high-quality Dutch modern design with a strong Scandinavian influence. ...
Rosewood
Rosewood Tambour Door Credenza by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in Denton, TX
Rare Danish modern rosewood tambour door credenza with center dovetailed drawer section and adjustable shelf on each side.
Mahogany, Oak, Rosewood
Sideboard Made In Rosewood, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Large sideboard in rosewood with distinctive grain patterns, sliding doors and four centrally placed drawers with milled handles. The complete design and the slightly sloping legs gi...
Rosewood
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 Mahogany Burl Sideboard Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern, sideboard / credenza / dresser by Harvey Probber features a mahogany case and drawers with diamond-matched, walnut burl sliding doors. The interior features white...
Mahogany, Burl
Stunning Midcentury Harvey Probber Credenza Sideboard Audio Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Incredibly crafted Harvey Probber Stunning Midcentury credenza, sideboard or audio cabinet. Retains the metal tag inside top drawer. Beautiful bleached walnut wood with 4 ebonized interior...
Brass
Harvey Probber Sideboard, 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Raleigh, NC
A striking vintage sideboard fully restored. This piece offers shelves and drawers concealed by cane front doors, with additional storage featuring original brass pulls. In excelle...
Brass
Harvey Probber Mahogany and Cane Front Credenza, Circa 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Peabody, MA
Mahogany sideboard with cane door fronts by Harvey Probber, made in Fall River, Mass., ca. 1950s.
Brass
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
Sold
H 32.75 in W 77.25 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Sideboard Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Harvey Probber USA, 1950s Mahogany, with original brass and mahogany hardware. Measures: 77.25" W...
Brass
Sold
H 32.75 in W 77.25 in D 17.75 in
Harvey Probber Mahogany and Brass Sideboard Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Harvey Probber USA, 1950s Mahogany, with brass trim. Measures: 77.25"W x 17.75"D x 32.75"H. Ex...
Brass
Harvey Probber Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Compact Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber mid century mahogany and brass compact credenza Credenza measures: 36 wide x 17.75 deep x 29.5 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vin...
Brass
Harvey Probber Mahogany Sideboard Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, mahogany, sideboard, credenza by Harvey Probber features brass trimmed, sliding doors with interior pull-out shelves and drawers with brass ring pulls.
Brass
Sold
H 32.75 in W 36 in D 17.88 in
Harvey Probber Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Bar Cabinet, Newly Restored
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard credenza or bar cabinet By Harvey Probber USA, 1960s Book-matched mahogany, with original brass and dark mahogany hardware. Me...
Brass
Sold
H 32.63 in W 65.25 in D 17.88 in
Harvey Probber Mahogany Sideboard Credenza or Bar Cabinet, Newly Restored
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard credenza or bar cabinet By Harvey Probber USA, 1960s Book-matched mahogany, with original brass and dark mahogany hardware. Me...
Brass