Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Gondola Slipper Chairs by Harvey Probber
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 38.75 in (98.43 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 23 in (58.42 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Reupholstered. Refinished.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU793438904142
Harvey Probber
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 the 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 simple lines 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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Stools with Button Detailing by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYThis elegant and refined pair of stools were designed by the legendary Harvey Probber and handmade in Fall River, Massachusetts circa 1960. Probber believed that "aging gracefully" r...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modernist Side Table in Walnut & Travertine Marble by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYThis sophisticated and elegant side table was designed by the legendary Harvey Probber and handmade in Fall River, Massachusetts circa 1960. Probber believed that "aging gracefully" ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsTravertine
- Mid-Century Modernist Dining Chair by Danish Designer Niels KoefoedBy Niels KoefoedLocated in New York, NYMid-Century Modernist dining chair by Danish designer Niels Koefoed in a chic hand-rubbed Rosewood. This piece exemplifies the organic...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLinen, Rosewood
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Chairs by Donghia in Ebonized WalnutBy Angelo DonghiaLocated in New York, NYThis stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern chairs were realized by the esteemed designer Donghia in the United States, circa 1980. They feature ebonized walnut bodies with circular bac...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modernist Sculptural Hand-rubbed Walnut Desk Chair by Paolo BuffaBy Paolo BuffaLocated in New York, NYThis sleek and stylish chair by esteemed Mid-Century Modernist designer Paolo Buffa originates from italy, Circa 1950. A rare and elegant piece, the sculptural and aesthetic quality ...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Luxe Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Occasional Armchairs in Hand-Rubbed WalnutLocated in New York, NYThis elegant and dynamic pair of Mid-Century Modern occasional armchairs were realized in Denmark circa 1960. They feature angular ebonzied walnut frames with smoked topaz velvet uph...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Harvey Probber Gondola Slipper ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stunning pair of Mid-Century Gondola chairs by Harvey Probber makes an elegant statement in any setting. Comfortable high back design is accentuated by beautiful upholstery and ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Mahogany Gondola Chair, Model 1053, by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Dorchester, MAHarvey Probber designed his gondola chair, model no. 1053, with an elegantly curved high-back frame in deep mahogany. The chair has been newly upholstered in Knoll's Classic Bouclé i...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Harvey Probber Mid Century Lounge Chairs, PairBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Countryside, ILHarvey Probber Mid Century lounge chairs - Pair This chair measures: 26 wide x 26 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height of 25.25 inches All pieces of f...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Pair of Mid-Century Harvey Probber Slipper ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stunning pair of modern lounge chairs by Harvey Probber feature tufted vinyl seat backs with wide slipper seats. Cantilevered heavy chrome frame mak...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Harvey Probber Style Mid Century Lounge Chairs - A PairBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Countryside, ILHarvey Probber style mid-century lounge chairs - a pair Each chair measures: 26.5 wide x 26 deep x 30 high, with a seat height of 18 inches and arm height of 25.25 All pieces o...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Mid Century Modern Harvey Probber Bentwood ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Tulsa, OKMid Century Modern Harvey Probber Bentwood Chairs Above average vintage condition and structurally sound. Chairs do have some expected surface scratching on the wood but overall th...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood, Upholstery
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Harvey Probber Was the Godfather of Modern Modular Seating
The forward-thinking designer is finally getting his due.
20th-Century Design Shines at the High Style Deco Auction
New York furniture dealer Howard Williams not only has an eye for top-notch pieces from a range of eras but also meticulously restores them to their original glory.