Pair of Rosewood and Mahogany Chests by Harvey Probber
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 36.25 in (92.08 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 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:Wear consistent with age and use. Overall very good, original condition, both show minor scuffs, and cosmetic wear to finish.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU978718948962
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: Cohoes, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Stylish Mahogany Chifferobe, Chest, Dresser after MontBy James MontLocated in New York, NYSubstantial solid mahogany dresser having cerused finish with fading black trim. The finish (original) shows some wear, and poor touch ups (see ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- Pair of Renzo Rutili for John Stuart Five-Drawer ChestsBy Renzo RutiliLocated in New York, NYWe are offering a matched pair of five-drawer chests designed by Renzo Rutili, for John Stuart. It is unusual and difficult to find a pair of High Boy form chests, however we are willing to separate and sell individually if you only need one. Dark mahogany case, burl drawer fronts. Nice deep drawers, deepest one 10". (bottom drawer). These chests show cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age, but are structurally sound. Usable as is, or could be refinished to perfection if you prefer. Hollywood Regency, Asia Modern, Art Deco style design, high quality construction, good vintage condition. We are also offering the matching bachelors chest...Category
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Dressers
MaterialsBurl, Mahogany
- Danish Mid-Century Modern Chest on Chest by Sven EllekaerBy Sven EllekaerLocated in New York, NYInteresting two-part chest on chest, designed by Sven Ellekaer. The chest features two separate cabinets, including the top piece ( 37.5 W x 17.5 H x 16.5 H in. ) which has a tambour...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsTeak
- Mid Century Chest on Chest Made in Sweden Designed by Edmond Spence, Ca. 1950’sBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in New York, NYVery unusual and rare two part chest on chest, made in Sweden, c 1950’s, designed by Edmond Spence. Executed in exotic Macassar veneer, with dramatic carved front panel.Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- Danish Modern Teak Vanity Dresser Chest of DrawersBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in New York, NYInteresting midcentury Danish modern flip top chest of drawers, having a flip up top surface which opens to reveal divided storage spaces, over three de...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsTeak
- Six Drawer High Boy Gentleman's Chest by Robsjohn, Gibbings for WiddicombBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in New York, NYImpressive six drawer high boy chest designed by T H Robsjohn- Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture, ca 1950's. The drawers each feature a dowel form pull which runs across it's front. T...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Harvey Probber Chest of DrawersBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYMid-Century Modern chest of drawers by Harvey Probber. Harvey Probber chest of drawers in bleached mahogany with four drawers brass sabots to the feet. Inside two top drawers have wh...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood, Mahogany
- Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYMid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Chest of drawers. Low chest of drawers by Harvey Probber in bleached mahogany with three drawers set on plinth base. Top two drawers have white lami...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of D...
MaterialsMahogany
- Harvey Probber Espresso Mahogany Sliding Doors 10 Drawers Gentlemen's Chest MintBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Rockaway, NJHarvey Probber Espresso mahogany sliding doors 11 drawers gentlemen's chest highboy dresser mint Cork lined drawers.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- Rosewood and Mahogany Triple Dresser by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Miami, FLStunning Harvey Probber large dresser or cabinet. The triple dresser features a mahogany case with contrasting Brazilian rosewood sliding doors and sculpted handles. The doors open t...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMahogany, Rosewood
- Harvey Probber Olive Ash Burl, Rosewood and Mahogany Gentleman's ChestBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Chicago, ILThis sleek clean lined Harvey Probber gentleman's bureau features burl wood doors with recessed rosewood pulls. The doors slide to reveal three cork lined trays and four shirt drawer...Category
Vintage 1950s American Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsBurl, Cork, Lacquer, Mahogany, Rosewood
- Ebonized Mahogany and Brass Chest or Nightstand by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Dorchester, MAHarvey Probber designed this clean-lined mid-century modern nightstand with proportions that allow for its use as side table or chest. The case of ebonized mahogany features a wide b...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass