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 Flip-Top Rosewood Console Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Versatile flip-top console table to be used as console or small dining table. 20 inches deep closed,opens to 40 inches. Table surface with stunning rosewood with ebonized walnut legs.
Rosewood, Walnut
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
Flip Top Dining or Console Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pasadena, TX
Flip top dining or console table by Harvey Probber Versatile Walnut with gatefold base that allows table to expand from console to dining table...
Walnut
Harvey Probber Mahogany Corner Triangle Sofa Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Extremely versatile well balanced triangular shaped table by Harvey Probber. Original vintage mid-1950's. Ideally suited as a corner console table behind one of his famous angular Nu...
Brass
Harvey Probber Bleached Rosewood Console Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Highland, IN
This elegant Probber console table features a top of bleached rosewood supported by a mahogany base with two drawers.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Low Console Table by Harvey Probber, 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern walnut console table / coffee table designed by Harvey Probber with a single shelf and brass through tenon legs. Made in the USA, circa 1960s.
Brass
Harvey Probber Walnut Flip Top Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Astoria, NY
Harvey Probber Walnut Flip-Top Table, upon ebonized supports. Extended: 27.75" H x 66" W x 40.25" D. Provenance: From a New York City Area Collection.
Walnut
Black Lacquer Rectangular Two-Tier Console Sofa Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern black lacquer two-tier console table.
Hardwood
Harvey Probber Walnut And Travertine Marble Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern table designed by Harvey Probber which could be used as a coffee table or gaming table. Walnut top with a travertine marble insert and an ebonized wooden base.
Marble
Vintage Modern Pinewood Corner Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish vintage corner table features triangular design with bentwood stretchers and natural wood finish. Unique table makes the perfect addi...
$2,950
H 31.5 in W 76 in D 20.5 in
Large Henredon Georgian Style Mahogany Flip-Top Gateleg Console Table
By Henredon
Located in Forney, TX
A handsome vintage high-quality carved mahogany flip-top console in classic and refined English Georgian taste by fine quality American furniture maker Henredon, with interesting provenance. From the exquisite Noix collection, this large versatile six legged table morphs from a narrow console doubling in size to a card games table, also perfect proportions for use as a buffet server or opening to easily add additional dining seating when entertaining or large family gatherings. High quality hand-crafted solid wood construction, exceptionally executed in sophisticated and restrained traditional 18th century English Georgian style (similar to Neoclassical inspired French Louis XVI & American Federal), having a long rectangular antiqued...
Mahogany
Pair of Bleached Oak Console Tables
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
A perfect blend of rustic charm and refined elegance, these wall hung console tables feature a beautifully aged bleached oak finish. With classic French craftsmanship and detailing t...
Oak
Karl Springer Style Sculptural Console Sofa Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Resin
Contemporary Glass Top Chrome Dining or Writing Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The chrome supports square shaped with T shaped tops and bases. With a long clear glass top. Useful as a Dining or Writing table. Dimensions: L. 72", W. 36", H. 29 1/2' Condition...
Chrome
$2,900
H 28.5 in W 54 in D 17 in
Council Craftman George III Mahogany Console Sofa Table with Ball and Claw Feet
By Councill
Located in Germantown, MD
Council Craftsmen mahogany console table with gadrooned edge, tapering cabriole legs with carved medallion and foliate motif, resting on ball and claw feet. Dimensions: 53 3/4" W, 1...
Mahogany
American Empire Flip Top Mahogany Gate Leg Console Table
Located in New Windsor, NY
American Empire mahogany flip top console table. Circa 1850-75. Smaller homes required smaller furniture with multiple purposes. Beautiful simple construction with doweled legs and s...
Mahogany
Scottish Bleached Oak Console Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Amazing 19th century Scottish bleached oak console table. Great proportions and a wonderful color, 1840. Measures: Height to worktop 37.5...
Oak
$4,500Sale Price|33% Off
H 29 in W 98 in D 40 in
Harvey Probber Midcentury Saber Leg Extension Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by Harvey Probber featuring two 16 inch extending leaves for a total of 98 inches. The iconic table has sabre formed legs with a dram...
Hardwood
Sold
H 28.13 in W 67 in D 33.75 in
Harvey Probber Teak and Brass Triangle Desk or Console Table, Newly Refinished
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
A unique and gorgeous mid-century modern triangle desk, console, or sofa table By Harvey Probber USA, 1950s Teak wood, with brass-capped feet. ...
Brass
Sold
H 26.25 in W 86 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Bleached Mahogany, Brass, and Cane Console Table, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern extra long console table, sofa table, or room divider By Harvey Probber USA, Circa 1950s Bleac...
Brass
Mahogany Console Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in San Francisco, CA
A console table of mahogany. Drawers slide out from both of the shorter sides of the triangle. Marked by the manufacturer.
Mahogany
Harvey Prober Expandable Rolling Serving Two Tier Cart Table Console
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Harvey Prober two tier two drawers serving cart on wheels. Opens up to 59" long.
Walnut
Harvey Probber's Sleek Ebonized Walnut Wall Mounted Floating Console
By Harvey Probber
Located in North Miami, FL
Three drawers with modernist design carved wood pulls and signed with label to interior. This is a wall mounted floating narrow and long console with 3 metal mounting brackets.
Metal
Harvey Probber Wall-Hung Console
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber Wall-Hung console, features double drawer storage with inset rosewood pulls. Bleached and stained rosewoods, solid walnut wall brackets. ...
Rosewood, Walnut
Sold
H 28.25 in W 83.25 in D 18 in
Signed Harvey Probber Console or Sofa Table in Walnut & Mahogany with Glass Top
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hudson, NY
A great Harvey Probber console table in walnut with mahogany legs with a glass insert perfect for entry way or behind sofa. A sleek yet functional Mid-Cent...
Glass, Mahogany, Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 77.25 in D 18.75 in
Harvey Probber Midcentury Sideboard Console Credenza with Brass Detail
By Harvey Probber
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite midcentury sideboard or console by Harvey Probber. The simple but well proportioned design is accented by brass elements positioned in the right places. Two webbed wood and...
Brass
Low Slung Console Table or Bar by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Atlanta, GA
Low slung console table or bar by Harvey Probber, American, circa 1960s. This piece is currently being refinished. The price noted below includes refinishing. This piece is a versati...
Brass
Harvey Probber Rosewood Console Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Highland, IN
A long, lovely sofa or console table by Harvey Probber with a top of rich rosewood supported by a dark mahogany base.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Harvey Probber Console Side Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rich, dark mahogany with brass detail. Harvey Probber plate on interior drawer. Glass panel top, but the surface finish underneath appears streaky. Also exhibits minor surface scuffs...
Brass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 63 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Parsons Console in Bookmatched Carpathian Elm by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
An ultra-chic Mid-Century Parsons console in bookmatched Carpathian elm by Harvey Probber, American, circa 1970. Stylish design by Harvey Probber with original label on the undersid...
Elm