Pair of Chairs by Harvey Probber on a Floating Wood Base, American, circa 1970
View Similar Items
Pair of Chairs by Harvey Probber on a Floating Wood Base, American, circa 1970
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27 in (68.58 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 cm)Depth: 34 in (86.36 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Jersey City, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU80731025246
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 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.
- Sofa by Harvey Probber, USA C. 1955By Harvey ProbberLocated in Jersey City, NJ96 inch long Sofa designed by Harvey Probber supported on six solid, stained, wooden legs and upholstered in deep purple/plum velvet. Arm height: 22 inchesCategory
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Pair of Leather and Steel Lounge Chairs by Mobilier International, France, 1970sBy Mobilier InternationalLocated in Jersey City, NJPair of modern, armless lounge chairs by Mobilier International in excellent vintage condition; each have a tufted black leather covered seat, upholstered as shown approximately 4 ye...Category
Vintage 1970s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
$3,000 Sale Price / set40% Off - Pair of Solid Oak Lounge Chairs, France, circa 1965Located in Jersey City, NJPair of French modernist lounge or side chairs with wool fabric upholstery and solid oak triangular frames.Category
Vintage 1960s Lounge Chairs
- Pair of Lounge Chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer CogginBy Milo Baughman, Thayer CogginLocated in Jersey City, NJPair of Milo Baughman designed lounge chairs that have been reupholstered in the off-white fabric shown and made of three inch wide, flat-bar, polished chromed steel frames. These ar...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Reclining Lounge Chairs by Ward Bennett for Brickel, USA 1960sBy Ward BennettLocated in Jersey City, NJ*SUMMER SALE* Pair of Ward Bennett for Brickel lounge chairs in ebonized ash wood, arched arms/legs, an adjustable back, and upholstered in a dark teal fabric.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$5,000 Sale Price / set50% Off - Deco Lounge Chair by Pierre Chareau, France, circa 1925By Pierre ChareauLocated in Jersey City, NJElegant, period-deco lounge chair restored in a black-ebony finish and reupholstered in a golden hued jacquard fabric, retaining its original spring structure and wooden frame. The a...Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Lounge Chairs
- Large Lounge Chair on Walnut Frame Base by Harvey ProbberBy Paul McCobb, Harvey ProbberLocated in Rockaway, NJNice large Harvey Probber lounge chairs on walnut base. Good upholstery condition.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of "Raphael Lounge Chairs" in Black Leather by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYPair of "Raphael Lounge Chairs" model no. 4121 in black leather by Harvey Probber, American, circa 1982 (label on bottom reads "Harvey Probber".) Harvey Probber is synonymous with gr...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Foam, Wood
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tufted Aluminum Lounge Chairs by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Port Jervis, NYSimple and elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural tufted lounge chairs by Harvey Probber. Alcoa aluminum is the main material making up the beautiful frames. Button tufted wit...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Pair of Harvey Probber Side Chairs with Cast Brass HandlesBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Chicago, ILPair of Harvey Probber side chairs with elegant cast brass handles. Can possibly ship UPS in 2 separate boxes. Need to look into.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair of Harvey Probber High Back Chairs Wormley Estate Weston ctBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Westport, CTPair of Harvey Probber high back wing chairs, important with very few made and from the Edward Wormley estate in Weston ct. Edward Wormley (American, December 31, 1907–November 3, 19...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut, Foam
- Pair of Aluminum Frame Upholstered Chairs in the Style of Harvey ProbberBy Founders Furniture Company, Harvey ProbberLocated in Bridgehampton, NYPair of aluminum frame chairs upholstered in a soft grey corduroy in the style of Harvey Probber. Manufacturer, Founders Furniture Company.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsAluminum