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.
Tuxedo Sofa by Harvey Probber with Original Tags for Reupholstery, circa 1950
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tuxedo Sofa by Harvey Probber with Original Tags for Reupholstery - Extra Long "you pick the fabric / make it your own" "current fabric is not the original fabric" "current fabric...
Upholstery
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
Wonderful 2 Piece Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa Mid-century
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful 2 piece signed Harvey Probber sectional sofa. This piece is in vintage condition with it's original floral tapesty fabric which does show wear. This sofa will definitely n...
Upholstery
$6,800Sale Price|22% Off
Mid-Century Harvey Probber Burger Bun Pink Velvet Settee
By Harvey Probber, Adriano Piazzesi
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic Mid-Century Modern settee designed by Italian architect Adriano Piazzesi for Harvey Probber, Inc. Burger bun is a whimsical kidney shaped form des...
Steel
Customizable New and Made to Order Harvey Probber Deep Tuft Modular Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Deep Tuft sectional seating was designed by Harvey Probber in 1972. Recognized as a pioneer in sectional seating, Probber developed the concept from the 1940s. Fascinated by automot...
Upholstery
$13,930Sale Price|30% Off
Red and Blue Harvey Probber Sofa with Jupe by Jackie Hand Embroidered Fabric
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Harvey Probber
Located in Berlin, DE
Hard to believe, that this art piece is completely hand embroidered by master artisans in India. The superb color combination of sky blue cotton thread on the deep red silk velvet ba...
Cotton, Silk, Wood
Harvey Probber Sloped Arm Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
At last, a mid-century sofa at a comfortable seat height thanks to its 10 inch high legs. Original Harvey Probber mid-century modern sofa with distinctive sloped arms and square tape...
Brass
Customizable New and Made to Order Harvey Probber Mayan Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Mayan sofa by American designer Harvey Probber. Designed in 1983. Made in Italy. M 2 L has the exclusive license to produce and distribute Harvey Probber designs. Available in di...
Upholstery
Harvey Probber Impressive 16 Foot Angle Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
This sofa has a wow factor. The upholstery is actually good and we think the seat cushion could be flipped to show the unfaded section. It can also be reupholstered to update. This s...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Harvey Probber Tuxedo Sofas in Lee Jofa Upholstery
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
These beautiful sofas have been completely restored. Newly upholstered in a high-quality fabric by Lee Jofa. The fabric has a beautiful pattern, a tight weave with nubby design detai...
Upholstery, Walnut
Customizable New and Made to Order Harvey Probber Deep Tuft Modular Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Deep Tuft sectional seating was designed by Harvey Probber in 1972. Recognized as a pioneer in sectional seating, Probber developed the concept from the 1940s. Fascinated by automot...
Upholstery
Harvey Prober Tuxedo Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Tuxedo 3 seater sofa by Harvey Probber. Down feather back cushions. Recently reupholstered in Kvadrat Maharam fabric. Labeled.
Wood
$12,000
Harvey Probber Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in San Francisco, CA
A three-seat sofa by Harvey Probber. Curved front. Loose cushions on the seat, back and sides. Sofa sits on 6 wooden feet.
Wood
$5,480Sale Price|20% Off
Spectacular Harvey Probber Even Arm Tuxedo Sofa Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Spectacular Harvey Probber even arm Tuxedo sofa. This sofa was reupholstered by the original owners in this sensational tropical abstract fabric probably in the 80's-has been well ca...
Upholstery, Walnut
Harvey Probber Gold and Orange Patterned Upholstered Sled Base Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century sofa with orange, yellow, and gold sunburst patterned upholstery, resting on an ebonized wooden sled base. (HARVEY PROBBER) Scuffing...
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Ebony
$4,200Sale Price|20% Off
Stylish Harvey Probber Super Deep 3 Seat Sofa Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish Harvey Probber 3 seater sofa with super deep cushions. We just love everything about this handsome mid-century sofa from the 37"deep seat cushions to the Dorothy Leibes attri...
Upholstery, Walnut
$10,500
Harvey Probber Tuxedo Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Harvey Probber tuxedo sofa . We have upgraded this sofa with complete new set of springs and upholstered it in Pierre Frey's Chenille Saint ...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,880Sale Price|20% Off
Stunning Harvey Probber 4-Seat Sofa Mid-Century Modern
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning Harvey Probber 4-seat sofa. This stylish sofa was re-upholstered about 15 years ago and still looks great-light cleaning recommended.
Upholstery, Walnut
$7,120Sale Price|20% Off
Harvey Probber Bronze Base Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern sofa designed by Harvey Probber. Mint green upholstery with a button tufted back and two detached seat cushions on a bronze anodized base. Size: 7.5ft.
Metal
Harvey Probber Mid Century Brass Sectional Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber Mid Century Brass Sectional Sofa This sofa measures: 117.5 wide x 104.25 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height of 16 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in...
Brass
Post Modern “Mayan” Sofa Designed By Harvey Probber, 1980s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Original 1983 Harvey Probber “Mayan” Sofa. This iconic design epitomizes the expressiveness of postmodernism in the 1980s. The original black...
Mohair, Foam, Wood
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
Harvey Probber Four Seat Sofa With Matching Ottoman. Reupholster Candidate.
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Fantastic four seat sofa with long single seat cushion by Harvey Probber. Loose four part back cushions and walnut legs with brass sabots. Great “bones” as they say. Definitely a can...
Brass
$9,700Sale Price|30% Off
Black Leather FK-883 Three-Seat Sofa by Preben Fabricius & Jorgen Kastholm
By Jørgen Kastholm, Preben Fabricius, Harvey Probber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Here's a rarely seen yet documented design - this circa 1970s 'FK-883' sofa in black leather by Preben Fabricius & Jorgen Kastholm for Alfred Kill International and distributed b...
Steel
Melia Made to Order Customizable Modern Sofa
By Dwell Floor Five
Located in Studio City, CA
Sleek and midcentury scaled the Melia sofa is stylish and hip. The sofa can be customized to your liking with plenty of fabric colors and options to choo...
Chrome
Mid-Century Danish Sectional Corner Sofa ca. 1950
By Bramin Mobler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare early mid-century Danish 2-piece sectional corner sofa. This sofa was made even before sectional sofas became a thing but excellent proportions and overall form lending support ...
Beech
Six Piece Mid Century Boxy Modern Modular or Sectional L Shaped Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic boxy modular sofa circa 1970's. A very simple timeless design. Single chairs measures W 28 D 35, corner piece measures W 35 D 35, and the ottoman measures W 29 D 29. Fabric...
Fabric
Mid Century Sectional Sofa att. to Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional two piece sectional, having two curved sections, with an even arm and seat back. This sofa can be set up together, or each piece can be placed separately if that works be...
Upholstery
$7,500
H 28.5 in W 143 in D 87 in
Large Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Two-Piece Sectional Sofa, Labeled
By Harvey Probber
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large Mid-Century Modern 1950s Harvey Probber two-piece sectional sofa with mahogany tapered legs. Sofa has original fabric, it needs to be reupholstered and foam replaced. There is ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$2,800
H 30 in W 52 in D 35 in
Mid-Century Modern Box Shape Rattan Cane Bamboo Loveseat Sofa Settee Mint!
By Ficks Reed, Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern box shape rattan cane bamboo loveseat sofa settee mint!
Upholstery, Rattan, Cane
Harvey Probber Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in San Francisco, CA
A three-seat sofa by Harvey Probber. Curved front. Loose cushions on the seat, back and sides. Sofa sits on 6 wooden feet.
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Curved Sofa, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Curved four-seat sofa of Italian design, structure and legs in solid wood, velvet upholstery, 1950s production, Condition as shown in the photos, it is advisable to redo the upholstery.
Velvet, Beech, Fir
$4,800
H 31 in W 116 in D 49 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Hexagonal Curved Sectional Sofa after Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek modern sofa in a hexagonal form circa 1970's. It features a two section design with low profile feet. Fabric is original and needs recovering...
Fabric
$7,800
H 28 in W 142 in D 110 in
Mid-Century Post Modern Curved L Shaped Cloud Sectional Sofa by Directional
By Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek & stunning L shaped sectional sofa with incredible design lines. This well built sofa is by Directional furniture, circa 1980s. It features the original fabric in a 3 separat...
Fabric
$24,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 180 in D 34 in
Stunning Hollywood Regency Tufted 2-Piece Curved Sectional Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Hollywood Regency an extra long two-part sofa with a deep tufted back. The sofa splits in the centre, each side has a single seat cushion with rounded outer edge on an upholstered base, the extension has a tufted top and also has a curved edge. The sofa comes with two matching tufted foot stools...
Upholstery
$6,000 / set
H 28 in W 152 in D 90 in
Selig Large 7-Piece Sectional or Modular Parsons Sofa Set, Mid-Century Modern
By Selig
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in the USA, this 7-piece sectional sofa was produced by Selig in the early days of the company. Typically Selig is known today for importing Danish furniture and de...
Fabric
Seldom Seen Harvey Probber Serpentine Crescent Sofa, 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen 1960s Harvey Probber serpentine curved sofa ,, truly impressive in person. .. Appears to have been reupholstered (at some point ) in a brown velvet upholstery. skirt adde...
Fabric, Wood
Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa, circa 1955
By Harvey Probber
Located in Raleigh, NC
An extraordinary 1950s two piece sectional from Harvey Probber. Fully restored with new foam and upholstery. This magnificent sofa sits atop walnut legs with brass sabots. Clearly ha...
Upholstery
Harvey Probber Rare Slipper Sofa Mahogany Wood and Mohair 1955c
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber Rare Slipper Sofa in Mahogany and Mohair, c. 1955 A rare slipper-form sofa by Harvey Probber, featuring an elegant low profile and floating seat design. The solid maho...
Mohair, Mahogany
Sofa by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Cube sofa by Harvey Probber upholstered in a plum colored, cotton blend velvet fabric with self-welting, six loose cushions (the seat cushions have a zipper), a buttoned back, and a ...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 31 in W 105 in D 45 in
Harvey Probber Long Curved Button Tufted Beige Leather Mid Century Modern Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Harvey Probber Long Curved Button Tufted Beige Leather Mid Century Modern Sofa. Item features clean modern lines, loose cushions, curved solid wood floatin...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 97 in D 34 in
Harvey Probber Tuft Mocha Brown Donghia Velvet Recessed 3-Seater Sofas – a Pair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a stunning pair of three-seater sofas, designed by Harvey Probber, circa the 1970s. Their design reflects Probber’s signature aesthetic—sleek, modern, a...
Velvet, Hardwood
Elegant Newly Upholstered Curved Harvey Probber Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hudson, NY
Stunning freshly upholstery Harvey Probber sofa. The upholstery is a modern and sensible cotton blend weave which will wear and clean very well. The overall color reads as a creamy w...
Upholstery, Walnut
Harvey Probber Nuclear Sert Sofa in STOCK
By M2L BRAND, Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Harvey Probber nuclear sert sofa upholstered in bute tiree. Tubular legs in matte brass metal. Measures: 92" wide width, 84" seating area. 4" thick arms M...
Fabric
Harvey Probber Curved Crescent Sofa, 1960s, 2 Available
By Harvey Probber
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now, we have this stunning crescent sofa by design master, Harvey Probber! Picture this: You're lounging in sheer opulence on a sofa that's as curvy as the bird streets, and equally as glamorous. And guess what? We've got not one, but two of these rare 1960's gems, both dressed up in the most lavish off-white bouclé fabric you've ever seen, and priced per sofa. The Crescent Sofa by Harvey Probber is the epitome of swanky sophistication, originally designed in the late 40's early 1950's, Its unique crescent shape cradles you in heavenly comfort, like a warm embrace from an old friend. It's not just a sofa; it's a lifestyle statement. When you think of luxury, this is what you see. Now, about that off-white bouclé upholstery. It's the stuff of dreams, folks. Imagine sinking into those plush cushions, feeling like you're floating on a cloud. It's the kind of fabric that practically begs you to kick off your shoes and sprawl out in utter relaxation. And yes, it's as Instagram-worthy as it gets. #BoucléGoals, anyone? Harvey Probber was a design genius with a vision as big as the moon. Born in 1922, this guy knew a thing or two about making furniture that oozed class and charisma. He took inspiration from design royalty like Edward Wormley, Tommi Parzinger, and Vladimir Kagan. Edward Wormley, the king of mid-century modern, knew how to balance clean lines and timeless elegance. Wormley's influence on Probber is evident in the sofa's sleek, yet inviting silhouette. Tommi Parzinger, with his penchant for glamorous details, inspired Probber to add that extra touch of opulence to his designs. It's all about the details, darling! And speaking of details, Vladimir Kagan's knack for avant-garde shapes pushed Probber to think outside the box (or in this case, the crescent). Kagan's audacious designs encouraged Probber to create pieces that were as daring as they were luxurious. Elevate your home and decor...
Bouclé, Walnut
Sold
H 24.5 in W 31 in D 31 in
NEW Harvey Probber Black Raf Simons Velvet Deep Tuft Black Modular Sofa in STOCK
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Harvey Probber deep tuft designed in 1972. M2L is the exclusive licensee to produce and distribute Harvey Probber designs. Manufactured in 2022 by M...
Velvet
Harvey Probber Nuclear Sert Sofa in STOCK
By M2L BRAND, Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Harvey Probber nuclear sert sofa upholstered in bute tiree. Tubular legs in matte brass metal. Measures: 92" wide width, 84" seating area. 4" thic...
Fabric
Harvey Probber Tuxedo Sofa in Quality Couture Fabric
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Newly upholstered in a high quality chenille weave fabric that works with many color schemes - blacks, tans, whites, off-white, khaki. Beautiful lines. A Classic. Six walnut legs.
Upholstery, Wood