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.
Harvey Probber Mahogany Corner Triangle Sofa Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Extremely versatile well balanced triangular shaped table by Harvey Probber. Original vintage mid-1950's. Ideally suited as a corner console table behind one of his famous angular Nu...
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 Hexagon Terrazzo Side Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Harvey Probber Terrazzo Hexagon side - end table. Mid century side table terrazzo with inlaid brass detail set on splayed mahogany legs. Nice size perfect for any setting. Very good ...
Brass
Harvey Probber Mid-Century Modern Asian Style Travertine and Brass Coffee Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Miami, FL
Chinoiserie inspired Mid-Century Modern rectangular coffee table by Harvey Probber. The table features a wooden frame with two heavy travertine tops. The legs have brass covers. Love...
Travertine, Brass
Solid Mahogany and Glass Low Table by Harvey Probber, 1970s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A low table with a glass top and three jointed legs form an organic design.
Glass, Wood
$1,616 / set
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Pair of Ceramic Low Coffee Tables Shinny Black and Yellow, circa 1970
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Pair of low coffee tables. Ceramic low tables with shinny black and yellow ceramic glazes. Metal feet in black color. Original perfect conditions. Realized circa 1970. ...
Ceramic
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
$1,200
H 20.87 in Dm 28.35 in
Danish Modern Round Coffee Table in Solid Pine, Rainer Daumiller Style, 1970s
By Hirtshals Savvaerk, Rainer Daumiller
Located in Odense, DK
A fine Danish Modern round coffee table in solid pine, made in the style of Rainer Daumiller in the 1970s by a Danish Cabinetmaker. This sculptural coffee / side table will complem...
Pine
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
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
Chinese Square Corner Altar Table
Located in Chicago, IL
With clean lines and balanced proportions, this narrow console table recalls the austerity of Ming-dynasty furniture design. Crafted from reclaimed elmwood timbers, the lightweight t...
Reclaimed Wood
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
Ebonized Mahogany Cane Top Asian Influence Console Table
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Oriental Asian midcentury style carved base high quality craftsmanship console table with caned top.
Mahogany
$1,859Sale Price|75% Off
H 28.5 in W 38 in D 23.75 in
Early 1800s Mahogany Regency Drop Leaf Sofa Table with Brass Caps
Located in Savannah, GA
Handsome mahogany drop leaf sofa table with original finish and brass caps and casters. Two deep drawers with two false drawers in back. Reeded swept legs. Measures: 60 inches wide w...
Brass
$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
Chinese Square Corner Altar Table
Located in Chicago, IL
With clean lines and balanced proportions, this narrow console table recalls the austerity of Ming-dynasty furniture design. Crafted from reclaimed elmwood timbers, the lightweight t...
Reclaimed Wood
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table, Murano Glass & Brass, Italy, 1970
By Danny Lane
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian green tinted coffee table made of hand blown Murano glass and brass in the style of Danny Lane. Green glass to...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 26.25 in W 86 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Bleached Mahogany, Brass, and Cane Console Table, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern extra long console table, sofa table, or room divider By Harvey Probber USA, Circa 1950s Bleac...
Brass
Sold
H 28.25 in W 83.25 in D 18 in
Signed Harvey Probber Console or Sofa Table in Walnut & Mahogany with Glass Top
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hudson, NY
A great Harvey Probber console table in walnut with mahogany legs with a glass insert perfect for entry way or behind sofa. A sleek yet functional Mid-Cent...
Glass, Mahogany, Walnut
Harvey Probber Rosewood Console Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Highland, IN
A long, lovely sofa or console table by Harvey Probber with a top of rich rosewood supported by a dark mahogany base.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Harvey Probber Triangular Sofa Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique vintage teak console table makes a stylish Mid-Century addition to any interior setting. Whether used as a sofa table, console, or wri...
Sold
H 28.5 in W 63 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Parsons Console in Bookmatched Carpathian Elm by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
An ultra-chic Mid-Century Parsons console in bookmatched Carpathian elm by Harvey Probber, American, circa 1970. Stylish design by Harvey Probber with original label on the undersid...
Elm
Elegant Modern Console or Sofa Table by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Modern Console or Sofa Table, designed by Harvey Probber, American, circa 1960's. This piece has been completely restored in an ultra-d...
Harvey Probber - Triangular / Surfboard Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in San Francisco, CA
Triangular coffee table. Part of a rare living room set.
Mahogany
Harvey Probber Walnut Console Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Six sided three legged walnut console table with bowed stretcher connecting the three legs.
Walnut
Harvey Probber Flip-Top Rosewood Console Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Versatile flip-top console table to be used as console or small dining table. 20 inches deep closed,opens to 40 inches. Table surface with beautiful expressive rosewood. Base with a ...
Rosewood, Walnut
Harvey Probber Display Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Early Harvey Probber two-tier mahogany display table. The perfect size to use as a media or wall console. Would also be a wonderful piece to free stand ...
Brass