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.
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
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
Huge Harvey Probber Walnut and Terrazzo Marble Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Berlin, DE
Designed by Harvey Probber which could be used as a coffee table or gaming table. Walnut top with a terrazzo insert and an ebonized wooden base with brass feet.
Brass
1950s Harvey Probber Travertine and Ebonized Wood Dining or Game Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Bold, geometric dining or game table designed and manufactured by Harvey Probber for Modern. With cross-hatching legs and an octagonal top of travertine outlined by a thick beveled e...
Travertine
Mid-Century Modern Round Dining / Café / Game Table, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome Mid-Century Modern round dining, café, or game table, crafted presumably in Denmark during the 1960s. The design is understated yet refined, featuring a warm teak top pair...
Teak
On Hold|$3,500
H 29 in W 37 in D 37 in
Chunky Mid Century Modern Oak and Cork Square Dining Table or Game Table
By John Richardson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning and gorgeous square dining or card table circa 1960s. It features a simple modern design with a chunky stained oak frame and a cork top. The top has glass.
Oak, Glass, Cork
Dining or Game Table by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A square dining or game table with an ash top, on folding steel legs. Model DTM.
Steel
$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
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.5 in Dm 24.5 in
Harvey Probber Onyx, Marble, Terrazzo and Walnut Side Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Harvey Probber Onyx, Marble, Terrazzo and Walnut Side Table USA, Circa 1960s A rare Mid-Century Modern round end or occasional table designed by Harvey Probber, made in the 1960s. ...
Onyx, Marble
$2,300
H 17 in W 48 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Style Black Lacquer & Terrazzo Marble Coffee-Cocktail Table 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant Mid-Century Modern coffee or cocktail table having Terrazzo marble top inserted into a black lacquered walnut frame over Sabre legs in the manner of Harvey Probber. The gr...
Terrazzo, Walnut, Lacquer
$1,565
H 20 in W 24 in D 20 in
Midcentury Terrazzo and Marble and walnut Side Lamp Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Southampton, NJ
Chic architectural Mid Century side/lamp table having a rectangular terrazzo and marble top, mounted on an architectural walnut veneered wood base. The table is in good, original con...
Marble
Giacometti-style iron game or breakfast table with travertine top
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Giacometti-style hand-forged iron and travertine game table, customized exclusively for THE TASTEMAKER SHOPPE! The top is reversible, one side being a honed-travertine treated with a...
Travertine, Iron
Sculptural Walnut and Terrazzo Coffee Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic sculptural coffee table by American design master Harvey Probber. A substantial terrazzo stone top resists even the toughest coffee stains while Persian inspired cutouts help ...
Terrazzo, Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
Louis XVI Style Travertine Top Dining Table or Game Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant French Louis XVI style square dining table or game table featuring an Italian travertine top. The square stone top measures nearly 1 inch thick and is supported by a carved beech base with neoclassical style rosettes on the corners. The table has reeded edges and a lovely cerused or glazed finish that beautifully accents the travertine. The long slender legs are reeded and end with toupie feet. Perfect as a Mah Jong table...
Travertine
$6,850
H 26.5 in Dm 47.25 in
Osvaldo Borsani Round Dining / Center / Game Table with Travertine Top, Signed
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Kansas City, MO
Osvaldo Borsani dining table or center table or game table with the original one inch thick travertine top with a slightly tapered edge. Black steel base with aluminum panels. The t...
Travertine, Aluminum, Steel
$3,695
H 15 in W 47.5 in D 22 in
Harvey Probber Mid Century Walnut and Travetine Half Crescent Moon Coffee Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber mid century walnut and Travertine half crescent moon coffee table This coffee table measures: 47.5 wide x 22 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture can be...
Travertine
Harvey Probber 'Artisan' Woven Cane Game or Small Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hudson, NY
Prototype table from the Artisan Collection Harvey Probber, Inc. USA / Haiti, 1977 woven latania over wood Provenance: Collection of Harvey Probber Amazing card table from ...
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Sold
H 29.25 in W 36 in D 36 in
Harvey Probber Mahogany Saber Leg Flip Top Dining or Game Table, Refinished
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern mahogany saber leg flip top extension dining table or game table By Harvey Probber USA, 1950s Measures: 36"W x 36"D x 29.25"H. Extends up t...
Mahogany
Midcentury Harvey Probber Game / Breakfast Table with Rosewood Top
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Midcentury Harvey Probber breakfast or game table. This table has an elegant black mahogany cylindrical base with cutout design and a 42" round rosewood top. Dimensions are 42" in d...
Rosewood
Harvey Probber Walnut and Terrazzo Marble Game or Center Table, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern center table or game table By Harvey Probber USA, 1950s Walnut top with terrazzo insert, ebonized walnut legs, and brass-capped feet. Me...
Brass
Midcentury Harvey Probber Game / Breakfast Table with Terrazzo Top
By Harvey Probber
Located in Toledo, OH
Midcentury Harvey Probber breakfast or game table. This table has a elegant black mahogany cylindrical base with cut out design and a 42" round cream terrazzo top. Dimensions are 42"...
Terrazzo
Harvey Probber Mid-Century Modern Pedestal Base Cafe Dining or Game Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Elegant looking dining, breakfast, or game table designed by Harvey Probber. This table has a round top with a sculptural ebonized wood base. Can easily seat four.
Wood, Mahogany
Harvey Probber Midcentury Flip Top Dining / Game Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very versatile dining / game table with a flip top that can be used in a tight or smaller sized area with the closed dimensions of the top at 34" L x 34" D and when opened the top ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 36 in D 36 in
Harvey Probber Midcentury Mahogany Saber Leg Flip Top Extension Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern saber leg flip top extension dining table or game table designed by Harvey Probber. The table features stunning mahogany wood grain and stylish mid-...
Mahogany
Sold
H 28.88 in W 48 in D 48 in
Harvey Probber Teak and Black Lacquer Saber Leg Extension Dining Table, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern saber leg extension dining table designed by Harvey Probber. The table features gorgeous teak wood grain, with black lacquered saber legs and banded...
Teak, Lacquer
Sold
H 29.25 in W 36 in D 36 in
Harvey Probber Mid-Century Modern Saber Leg Flip Top Dining or Game Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern saber leg flip top extension dining table or game table designed by Harvey Probber. The table features stunning mahogany wood grain and stylish midc...
Mahogany
Harvey Probber Game Table or Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Harvey Probber game table or dining table Pedestal.
Sold
H 29.13 in W 42 in D 42 in
Harvey Probber Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Saber Leg Extension Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern saber leg extension dining table designed by Harvey Probber. The table features stunning mahogany wood grain and stylish midcentury design. It has a...
Mahogany