1950s Metaphor Desk in Mahogany and Brass by Harvey Probber
View Similar Items
1950s Metaphor Desk in Mahogany and Brass by Harvey Probber
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Sagaponack, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 13750.0011stDibs: LU890320093692
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.
- 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
- 1950s Demilune Vanity or Desk by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Sagaponack, NYA solid wood double pedestal desk or vanity with demilune curve to accommodate seating and vertically stacked dowel drawer pulls.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- 1960s Tiered Console Table by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Sagaponack, NYA Mid-Century Modern walnut console table / coffee table designed by Harvey Probber with a single shelf and brass through tenon legs. Made in the USA, circa 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Mahogany Writing Desk by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn octagonal mahogany writing desk designed by Edward Wormley with a single drawer. Made by Dunbar in the USA, circa 1957.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany, Walnut
- Teak and Steel Desk by Larsen and MadsenBy Ejner Larsen, Aksel Bender MadsenLocated in Sagaponack, NYA teak desk with steel frame and pulls, with a left side return housing filing shelves designed by Ejner Larsen & Aksel Bender Madsen. Return dimensions; 39.5" W, 17.5" D, 26.5" H.Category
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Writing Desk by George NelsonBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Sagaponack, NYA single pedestal writing desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a built-in pivoting lamp. Lamp is 18" H.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Harvey Probber Desk in Mahogany 1950s 'Signed'By Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYDesk in mahogany with alternating grain top and brass sabots by Harvey Probber, American, 1950s (label in drawer reads "designed by Harvey Probber"). This desk is beautifully made.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Executive Walnut Desk by Harvey Probber, C. 1950sBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Westport, CTA large-scale desk executed in walnut, designed by Harvey Probber, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored to its original finish and functionality, featuring a con-cave top and nickel ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsNickel
- Rare Harvey Probber Brass and Mahogany DeskBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Hanover, MAHarvey Probber mahogany writing desk with white laminate top with solid brass tubular legs and solid brass flat bar stretchers. Left side oriented three drawer case with original ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Harvey Probber Zebrano & Ebonized Mahogany Two Drawer DeskBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Bainbridge, NYAmerican Mid Century American Harvey Probber Inc. Writing Desk, 1960's. Featuring a rectangular form in mixed wood construction with smooth heavily veneered Zebrawood surface and ski...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany, Zebra Wood
- Harvey Probber Writing Desk- SignedBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Trenton, NJThis impressive mid-century modern writing desk from Harvey Probber features a striking yet simple 1950's design in quality manufacture. The vintage mahogany finish, carved wood handles...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
$1,650 Sale Price25% Off - Vintage Modern Walnut Writing Desk by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern writing desk by Harvey Probber. This desk features walnut construction, ample leg room, and three drawers for storage of files and odds and ends. A beautiful vinta...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
$2,800 Sale Price30% Off
