Harvey Probber Chairs
View Similar Items
Harvey Probber Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35 in (88.9 cm)Width: 19 in (48.26 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:cushions as is.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 20451stDibs: LU4917122117722
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.
- Set of 4 Mahogany Side ChairsLocated in New York, NYThe four mahogany side chairs each with nickel sabots.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Side Chairs
MaterialsWood
$5,500 Sale Price / set71% Off - Gilbert Rohde Slipper ChairBy Gilbert RohdeLocated in New York, NYThe Gilbert Rohde slipper chair designed for Herman Miller, having an upholstered round seat supporting a separate upholstered back all on four turned legs.Category
20th Century Slipper Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Black Forest Music ChairLocated in New York, NYThe all over carved chair with a marquetry inlaid back and seat presenting superb examples of original pen-work. The seat opening to reveal an original music box.Category
Antique 19th Century Side Chairs
MaterialsWood
$1,250 Sale Price32% Off - Pair of Metal Chairs by Laura Johnson DrakeBy Laura Johnson DrakeLocated in New York, NYThe rare sculpted chair constructed of forged steel with a hand-carved seat and back splat.Category
20th Century Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$9,000 / set - Pair of Louis XVI Style Side ChairsLocated in New York, NYThe fine pair of Louis XVI side chairs with an intricately carved frame surrounding an upholstered back and seat with fluted legs, the whole having original paint in a lovely faded p...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Side Chairs
MaterialsWood
$4,500 / set - Pair of Pearl Nube Chairs by River ValadezLocated in New York, NYPearlescent glazed ceramic. Signed and inscribed within the piece. Can be sold individually.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chairs
MaterialsCeramic
$9,500 / set
- Set of Six Harvey Probber X-Base Dining ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Brooklyn, NYSet of six, Mid-Century Modern, dining chairs by Harvey Probber feature black lacquered, slat mahogany, intersecting, X-bases that look fantastic from all angles. The cushions are re...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Eight Sabre Leg Dining Chairs by Harvey Probber, 1960sBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Dallas, TXSet of eight dining chairs designed by Harvey Probber. The chairs are constructed with solid mahogany and in good original condition.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMahogany
- X-Chair by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn "X" base slat chair with upholstered leather seat and back pillow.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Pair Harvey Probber Model 915 ChairBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Brooklyn, NYElegant pair of lounge chairs in bleached mahogany with caned sides. The tapered and tailored design easily works in both traditional and ultra-modern interiors.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsCane, Mahogany
$7,500 / item - 1950s Harvey Probber Dining ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NY1950s Harvey Probber dining chairs. Nicely designed chairs with curved backs, splayed legs and newly fabric covered cushioned seats. Mahogany frames.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Mahogany
$19,000 / set - Pair of Harvey Probber Arch Back Side ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in St. Louis, MOPair of high arch back side chairs in dark mahogany with beige upholstery.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany