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
$5,000 / set
H 17 in W 16 in D 16 in
1960s Pair of Harvey Probber Copper & Mahogany Flower-Top Side Tables
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Deisgned and made by American design icon Harvey Probber, this pair of side tables have solid mahogany construction and the rare flower design on the top. This was a collaboration wi...
Copper, Enamel
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.
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
$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
$1,252Sale Price|20% Off
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
Harvey Probber Terrazzo End Tables
By Harvey Probber
Located in San Francisco, CA
Harvey Probber style terrazzo top side tables. Interesting mix of materials using marble chips inlaid into a cement like plaster on walnut hexagonal bases. Sturdy tables, tops in ver...
Terrazzo, Walnut, Plywood
Wonderful Harvey Probber Terrazzo Brass Inlay Top Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful three-legged Harvey Probber side or end table with original hexagonal terrazzo top with inlaid brass. Sculpted bleached mahogany legs with bleached mahogany supports. We do...
Terrazzo, Mahogany
Satinwood and Mahogany Parquetry Circular Side Table
Located in London, GB
This table was created in England in the 19th century. It is crafted from satinwood, and is fitted with a mahogany stretcher. The table is comprised of an oval-shaped top, which ...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Mid-Century Modernist Hexagonal Terrazzo Side Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
This unique Mid-Century Modernist Hexagonal Terrazzo Side Table W/ Brass Inlays & Curved Ebonized Walnut Supports by Harvey Probber originates from the United States, Circa 1950....
Terrazzo
Harvey Probber Hexagon Tables #894 White Stone Top Mahogany Base
By Harvey Probber
Located in Lynn, MA
Set of three hexagon tables model 894 by Harvey Probber. White stone tops with brass inlay supported by mahogany base. Fantastic grains on legs. Can form different patterns.
Brass
$3,550 / set
H 19.5 in W 20.5 in D 18 in
Pr Harvey Probber Mid Century Ribbon Mahogany and Cane Side Tables
By Harvey Probber
Located in Buffalo, NY
Matched pair (mirror image) Modernist Tables designed by Harvey Probber,, Probber Originals. in richly grained ribbon mahogany and cane with brass detailing, both retain one drawer. ...
Brass