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.
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Harvey Probber Hexagonal Mahogany and Terrazzo Marble Side Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Three-legged Harvey Probber side or end table with original hexagonal terrazzo top with inlaid brass. Sculpted bleached mahogany legs with bleached mahogany supports.
Terrazzo, Walnut
Pair Of Harvey Probber Hexagonal Terrazzo Side Tables
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of mid-century modern, Moroccan influenced, side/end tables by Harvey Probber feature hexagonal shaped, terrazzo stone tops with brass inlay on three sloping mahogany legs. The ...
Brass
$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
$3,250 / set
H 17 in W 22 in D 22 in
1950s Harvey Probber Terrazzo Brass Mahogany Hexagon Side Tables Set of 3
By Harvey Probber
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Rare set of three hexagonal side tables by Harvey Probber, USA, c. 1950s. Each features an ivory terrazzo top with brass inlay and sculptural curved walnut legs. These tables can eas...
Terrazzo, Mahogany
$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
$5,500 / set
H 17 in W 16 in D 16 in
Harvey Probber Blue Enameled Copper and Espresso Mahogany Side Tables 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare pair of 1960s Harvey Probber solid mahogany side tables finished in a dark espresso stain with a satin lacquer clear coat. The tops are ...
Enamel
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
Harvey Probber Occasional Table with Terrazzo Top
By Harvey Probber
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic Harvey Probber occasional table with terrazzo top and brass inlay. Walnut octagonal base with decorative cut outs.
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.5 in W 22 in D 22 in
Unusual Harvey Probber Green Hexagon Terrazzo Top Side Table Mid-century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Unusual Harvey Probber light green terrazzo hexagon top side table. We have had plenty of these wonderful Probber side tables but we have never had on with a celery green terrazzo ...
Bronze
$2,400
H 20.5 in Dm 26 in
Mid Century Terrazzo and Walnut Column Base Side Table by Harvey Probber 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Troy, MI
Architectural side table by Harvey Probber USA circa 1960's Octagonal surface in terrazzo on a column pedestal base in walnut with arched cut out detail 26 diameter at widest poin...
Marble
French 1880s Mahogany Guéridon Side Table with Faux Marble Painted Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French mahogany guéridon side table from the late 19th century, with faux painted marble top, banding and brass feet. Created in France during the last quarter of the 19th century,...
Brass
Harvey Probber Midcentury Mahogany and Brass Nightstand
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber midcentury Mahogany and Brass Nightstand This nightstand measures: 24 wide x 18 deep x 22.75 inches high All pieces ...
Brass
$1,250
H 17 in W 22 in D 19 in
Vintage 1950s Harvey Probber Hexagonal Side Table – Terrazzo Top & Brass Inlay
By Harvey Probber
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This is a beautiful vintage 1950s hexagonal side table designed by renowned mid-century modern designer Harvey Probber. The table features a striking terrazzo top with a geometric br...
Terrazzo, Wood