Harvey Probber Mahogany Desk with Storage Cabinet
View Similar Items
Harvey Probber Mahogany Desk with Storage Cabinet
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 77.96 in (198 cm)Depth: 76.78 in (195 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:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU933112550291
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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- Studio BBPR 'Spazio' Corner Desk with Movable CabinetBy Olivetti, Studio BBPRLocated in Waalwijk, NLStudio BBPR for Olivetti, 'Spazio' writing desk with various storage compartments, coated steel, plastic, fabric, Italy, design 1959/60, production 1960s In 1954, Olivetti, the Ita...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Italian Small Writing Desk in MahoganyLocated in Waalwijk, NLSmall writing desk, mahogany, brass, Italy, 1950s. Sculptural Italian desk with beautiful curved top. This writing table is both refined and elega...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Silvio Cavatorta Writing Desk in MahoganyBy Silvio CavatortaLocated in Waalwijk, NLSilvio Cavatorta desk, mahogany, brass, Italy, design 1948-1949 Beautifully shaped desk in mahogany designed by Silvio Cavatorta in the late 1940s. The...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Elegant Italian Small Desk in Cherry and MahoganyLocated in Waalwijk, NLWriting desk, cherry, mahogany, brass, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in cherry. The...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Silvio Cavatorta Sideboard in Mahogany with MirrorBy Silvio CavatortaLocated in Waalwijk, NLSilvio Cavatorta, sideboard with mirror, metal, mahogany veneer, glass, Italy, design 1958. Elegant Italian sideboard designed by Silvio Cavatorta in 1958. This large cabinet is equ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsMetal
- Rare Gio Ponti Writing Desk in Walnut and Grissinato MahoganyBy Gio PontiLocated in Waalwijk, NLGio Ponti, writing desk, walnut, mahogany, glass, Italy, 1940s This writing table, a rare find designed by Gio Ponti, originates from the 1940s. The design is truly magnificent, fea...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsGlass, Mahogany, Walnut
- 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
- 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 - Harvey Probber Rosewood Desk, 1960s, UsaBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Miami, FLRestored Harvey Probber rosewood desk.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
$4,400 Sale Price20% Off - Large L Shape Walnut Desk with Return by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Rockaway, NJVery nice Mid-Century Modern executive desk by Harvey Probber.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
