Harvey Probber Pair of Swivel Chairs
View Similar Items
Harvey Probber Pair of Swivel Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)Seat Height: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Newly reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Pasadena, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU82582476062
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.
- Midcentury Harvey Probber Round Black And oak Coffee TableBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Pasadena, CACrafted by Harvey Probber, this round black and walnut coffee table is not just a functional piece but a statement of classic Mid-Century...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsCarnelian, Brass
$2,900 Sale Price23% Off - Bamboo Lounge Chair with Ottoman and WingbacksLocated in Pasadena, CAThe bamboo lounge chair with ottoman and wingbacks is meticulously crafted from bamboo and cane, combining timeless sophistication with a modern twist. The chair's frame is made fro...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
- Pair of 1970s White Lacquer and Lucite Beige Dining ChairsBy Brickfield Furniture CompanyLocated in Pasadena, CAElegant set of four 1970s high-back dining chairs by the Brickfield Furniture Company, High Point, N.C., 1972. Finished in white lacquered wood frames with beveled Lucite backs and p...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood, Lucite
- Lucite Back and White Lacquer Pair of ChairsBy Brickfield Furniture CompanyLocated in Pasadena, CAUnique pair 1980's high back dining chairs by the Brickfield Furniture Company, High Point N.C., 1972. Finished in white lacquered wood frames, beveled Lucite backs, and new black an...Category
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite, Wood
- Modern Bright Red Lacquered Swivel Pedestal, 1970sBy Karl SpringerLocated in Pasadena, CAThis pedestal is lacquered in a bright crimson red. It is mounted on a swivel base and can be a very convenient cocktail table or a pedestal for a large sculpture.Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- Pair of White Nightstands by HenredonBy HenredonLocated in Pasadena, CAThis matching pair of white lacquer nightstands features drop-down front drawers, which also provide storage when closed. Each unit has a black lacquered and brass knob. They are wel...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
$1,600 Sale Price / set27% Off
- Harvey Probber Swivel Cube Club Lounge ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Miami, FLA pair of classic swivel chairs by Harvey Probber. The bases are walnut. And the upholstery is a soft boucle. The swivel is 360.Category
Vintage 1960s American Swivel Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Wood
$6,500 / set - Harvey Probber Pair of Modern Swivel Cube Occasional Lounge Club Chairs, #1461By Harvey ProbberLocated in Toledo, OHPair of modern swivel cube occasional chairs by Harvey Probber. Original heavy wool Knoll fabric, cube form chairs on a round swivel base. Model # 1461, ci...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsWool
- 1950's Harvey Probber Leather Barrel Back Swivel ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Dallas, TXPair of crisply tailored club/lounge chairs by Harvey Probber, circa 1950's. The chairs feature deep seats with loose seat cushions and enveloping barrel backs making a cozy embrace,...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsBrass
$12,000 / set - Harvey Probber Swivel Lounge Chairs Upholstered in Camel Teddy Bear C. 1955By Harvey ProbberLocated in Saint Louis, MOThis pair of swiveling lounge chairs Model 303A by Harvey Probber is Mid Century Modern royalty. Any esteemed designer or lover of designer mid century furnishings will immediately spot these swivel lounge chairs - Harvey Probber! This esteemed design is part of a small group that defined that mid century modern look and sensibility. Lux mid century. Barrel back that envelops like a hug of support and soft comfort. Iconic Probber bow front frame...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
- Harvey Probber Style Tufted Barrel Back Swivel Lounge Chair in Yellow MohairBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Chicago, ILMid-Century Modern Harvey Probber style tufted barrel back swivel lounge chair newly upholstered in plush "Sun-Kiss-Yellow" Mohair Unique & Stylish Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probb...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsMohair, Wood
- Pair of Black Leather Harvey Probber Swivel Lounge ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Dallas, TXIf you're looking for a set of classic barrel chairs that'll stand the test of time, consider Harvey Probber, Model 303A swiveling chairs. The chair's solid-body design is perfectly ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsWood, Leather
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Harvey Probber Was the Godfather of Modern Modular Seating
The forward-thinking designer is finally getting his due.
Why This L.A. Designer Prefers Soulful Sophistication over Snobbism
Mallery Roberts Morgan practices a singular brand of creative fluidity as a writer and a quietly influential interior designer.