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
Vintage Harvey Probber Terrazzo and Marble Mosaic Coffee Table Mid Century
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Striking vintage coffee table featuring a thick scalloped terrazzo-style top with an inset marble mosaic design. The surface is composed of irregular white and gray marble chips set ...
Terrazzo
$3,414 / set
H 27.96 in W 26.78 in D 39.38 in
Midcentury Walnut Kitchen Table and Chairs, Danuta Lewandowska, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Extendable table, designed by Danuta Lewandowska, Poland in the 1960s. Neat, not too big, not too small, a fold-out table from the PRL, with a neat form that pleases everyone rath...
Beech, Walnut
$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
Dining or Game Table by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
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
$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
Octagonal Travertine and Marble Coffee Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Lynn, MA
Large coffee table by Harvey Probber. Ebonized wooden base with travertine and marble top with a octagonal brass centered inlay.
Travertine
$1,018
H 30.32 in W 33.08 in D 33.08 in
Vintage 1950s Game Table, Foldable Wood and Fabric, Netherlands
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage game table gaming table table 1950s Side table from the 1950s that can be rotated and unfolded into a gaming table. Features a handy storage space under the table. perio...
Fabric, Wood
Large Harvey Probber Style Terrazzo Octagon Shape Top Coffee Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Walnut base octagon terrazzo top coffee table in the style of H. Probber. Nice brass inlay.
Travertine, Brass
Jacques Adnet Green Leather and Wood Game Table, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning leather table by French designer Jacques Adnet. Green leather wrapped bamboo style legs with leather wrapped top and corners. Original wood tabletop. Brass detailing through...
Brass
Harvey Probber 'Nuclear' Two Piece Coffee Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
A two piece 'Nuclear' coffee table designed by Harvey Probber, 1950's.
Mahogany
Harvey Probber Round Walnut Game Center Table with Travertine Insert
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber round walnut game or center table with travertine insert.
Travertine, Brass
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
Harvey Probber Hex Tables with Terrazzo Tops
By Harvey Probber
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Three Terrazzo Top Hex Tables, designed by Harvey Probber, American, circa 1960s. They are a versatile size and can be used as end or side tables, or placed together to form a...
Terrazzo, Wood
$8,995
H 29.75 in W 125.88 in D 44 in
Harvey Probber Brazilian Rosewood Boat-Shaped Extension Dining Table, Restored
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern boat-shaped extension dining table By Harvey Probber USA, circa 1950s Bookmatched Brazilian rosewood, with ebonized solid mahogany legs and...
Brass
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 Gladstone, 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
Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Game Table and Set Four Slipper Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a comfortably chic, game table, with a Travertine center insert and brass cap feet, and four matching chairs, upholstered in black vinyl. The set is by Harv...
Harvey Probber Terrazzo and Walnut Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Atlanta, GA
Harvey Probber Terrazzo and Walnut Dining Table, American, circa 1960s. This table is a versatile size, and can be used as a dining table, game table, or dinette table. It would grea...
Travertine
Terrazzo and Walnut Game Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Terrazzo and walnut game table by Harvey Probber with brass feet.
Brass