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
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
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
$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
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
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
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 Octagon Pedestal Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Fraser, MI
Harvey Probber Dining Tables. Octagon Sunburst Top. No Leaves.
Walnut
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
$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
$2,964Sale Price|24% Off
H 27.25 in W 28 in D 28 in
1970s Mastercraft Sculptural Brass Dining / Game / Center Table Base
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking 1970s Mastercraft brass dining or game table base exemplifies the bold sculptural glamour for which the American luxury manufacturer is celebrated. Crafted in brass wit...
Brass
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
$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
$5,850
H 28.5 in W 114.25 in D 38.13 in
Harvey Probber Teak and Ebonized Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Refinished
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Harvey Probber USA, 1960s Book-matched teak top, with ebonized mahogany trim and legs and brass-capped feet. Measu...
Brass
$2,347
H 24.5 in W 50 in D 50 in
Harvey Probber Mid Century Round Ebonized Walnut Terrazzo and Brass Dining Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber mid century round ebonized walnut, terrazzo, and brass dining table The table measures: 50 wide x 50 deep x 24.5 high, with a chair clearance of 23.25 inches Repair...
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 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