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.
DS-11 Patchwork Sectional Sofa for De Sede
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DS-11 seven piece burnt red leather sofa c.1970s, for De Sede, Switzerland. The modular system consists of three corner seats and four center seats all upholstered in the original pe...
Leather
$24,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 25 in W 165 in D 99 in
Magnificent 9-Piece Harvey Probber Caramel Brown Leather 'Cubo' Sectional Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Harvey Probber caramel brown leather 'Cubo' sectional sofa nine sections of Harvey Probber designed 'CUBO' modular seating. Set includes six seating units and three ottomans. The sec...
Leather, Wood
$17,500 / set
H 26.5 in W 27.5 in D 31 in
Percival Lafer Leather Patchwork Modular Sofas ca' 1960's Living Room
By Percival Lafer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare set of six (6) seats and six (6) back rests by Percival Lafer. Brazil, ca' 1960's imported to New York. Made of patchwork brown leather where the pieces can be arranged in dif...
Leather
$22,000 / set
H 25 in W 25 in D 33 in
De Sede DS11 Patchwork Leather Sectional in Caramel, Circa 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One of the most comfortable sofas ever made. This De Sede 'DS-11' sectional sofa features five pieces including two corner pieces. Switzerland, 1970s. It's beyond comfortable. The patinated patchwork leather is in a gorgeous caramel color. Sold as a set. Nice configuration with 2 corners. Dimensions : Regular seat : w25 x d33 x h25 in. Corner : w33 x d33 x h25 in. We're currently pairing this with a Jorge Zalszupin patchwork credenza, Mastercraft brass end tables...
Leather
Harvey Probber Deep Tuft Modular Sofa in STOCK
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Harvey Probber deep tuft designed in 1972. MADE IN ITALY UPHOLSTERED in St Germain Fabric by Metaphores, Color: Fondant M2L is the exclusive licensee to produce and distribute Har...
Velvet
$22,307 / set
H 27.56 in W 27.56 in D 29.93 in
Scandinavian Modular Leather and Canvas Sofa by Overman
By Overman
Located in Karlstad, SE
Very rare sofa, model 008 by Overman, Tranås, Sweden 1970s. This sofa consists of six pieces, made of molded fiberglass, and upholstered in canvas and cognac-colored leather. The fi...
Leather, Canvas, Fiberglass
$11,447 / set
H 28.75 in W 187.01 in D 37.41 in
Vintage DS46 Modular Leather Sofa from De Sede, 1970s, Set of 5
By De Sede
Located in Rouen, FR
Emblématique du savoir-faire suisse, ce DS-46 signé De Sede est composé de 5 modules indépendants tapissés en cuir de buffle pleine fleur. Le set a été entièrement rénové par nos at...
Leather
$20,750
H 24 in W 126 in D 36 in
De Sede DS-88 Modular Patchwork Leather Sectional Sofa, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A DS-88 modular patchwork leather sectional sofa by De Sede, handcrafted in Switzerland in the 1970s. De Sede was founded in 1965 in Klingnau, Switzerland, growing out of a family-ru...
Leather
$3,310Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 33.08 in W 99.22 in D 99.22 in
Italian Design COROLLA Leather Sectional Sofa by I.P.E. Italy 1970's
By IPE
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Italian Design 'COROLLA' Leather Sectional Sofa by I.P.E. Italy 1970's. Marked on the bottom. Cognac leather on chrome metal frame with detachable arm rests...
Metal
Italian Post-Modern Sculptural Sofa in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, cognac leather, sofa, Italy, circa 1970 This striking sofa is executed in beautiful cognac leather that contributes to a refined monochrome appearance, emphasizing the sculptu...
Leather
