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 Double Chest and Vanity with Leather and Brass
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Two beautifully restored complimentary chests flanking a hanging vanity case from Harvey Probber's "Cabinet Series" circa 1957. Hazelnut finished mahog...
Brass
American of Martinsville Double Chest of Drawers Vanity / Desk
By American of Martinsville
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
1960s American of Martinsville Double Chest of Drawers Vanity / Desk. Featuring the original black lacquer with white Formica tops and ceramic pulls. Each chest features 3 deep drawe...
Ceramic, Wood, Lacquer
$3,250
H 70.5 in W 45 in D 19 in
Antique Dressing Table/ Chest of Drawers with Gustavian Grey Paint & Oval Mirror
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A late 19th century pine chest of drawers or dressing table with newly-painted Gustavian grey/white or driftwood color paint. Offers an oval dressing mirror that pivots and rests over a table surface that is flanked on each side by a pedestal housing a drawer for toiletries, below which are two long...
Mirror, Pine
$3,850
H 50.79 in W 50.01 in D 19.69 in
Danish Dressing Table in Navy Blue Leather and Red Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dressing table, leather, glass, wood, Denmark, 1940s. With a dark blue leather surface with red lines this dressing table has a rare texture and appearance. The front with two stora...
Leather, Glass, Wood
Breathtaking Diamantina Vanity
By Gio Ponti
Located in Munich, DE
we are very happy and proud to present this outstanding rare and wonderful - possibly unique - piece of furniture. purchase from an italien estate at lake como - full of wonderful pi...
Brass
$5,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 55.5 in W 42.25 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Olive Ash Burl, Rosewood and Mahogany Gentleman's Chest
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
This sleek clean lined Harvey Probber gentleman's bureau features burl wood doors with recessed rosewood pulls. The doors slide to reveal three cork lined trays and four shirt drawer...
Burl, Cork, Lacquer, Mahogany, Rosewood
$5,500 / set
H 24 in W 43.5 in D 15.5 in
French Deco Exotic Wood Vanity Mirror Chest of Drawers / Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Deco vanity mirror with chest of drawers. Use of exotic woods on a deco skyscraper base. The handles are 2 types of wood. No markings or labels. Appears to be of French origin. An early piece that shows some age with loss of veneer and some of the white plastic deco detailing on the piece. Manner of Paul Frankl Skyscraper...
Wood
Harvey Probber Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Credenza This credenza measures: 71.25 wide x 18 deep x 25.5 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Minor Surface Scratches on Top Surfa...
Brass
$18,909
H 28.15 in W 70.87 in D 16.54 in
Dressing Table / Vanity / Bureau in Rosewood and Brass by Frode Holm, 1950's
By Frode Holm
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Dressing Table / Vanity / Bureau in Rosewood and Brass by Frode Holm, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood, brass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Illum Bol...
Brass
$16,000 / set
H 32.5 in W 34.5 in D 19 in
Pair of White Lacquer Brass Hardware Bachelor Chest with Suspended Brass Vanity
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very decorative pair of white lacquer faux bamboo dressers connected with a solid brass suspended vanity by Baker. The overall length of the combined "credenza" is 99". The pieces ca...
Brass
$27,346 / item
H 70.87 in W 34.57 in D 17.6 in
Shagreen Vanity Cabinet with Bronze-Patina Brass Details by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$3,400
H 30 in W 24 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Black Lacquer Mahogany Brass Hardware and Legs 4 Drawer Chest
By Harvey Probber, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern black lacquer mahogany brass hardware bachelor chest compact dresser by Harvey Probber.
Brass
$27,346 / item
H 70.87 in W 34.57 in D 17.6 in
Shagreen Vanity Cabinet with Bronze-Patina Brass Details by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass