Harvey Probber Writing Desk- Signed
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Wood,Other
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 20th century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Age appropriate wear, vintage finish worn, scuffs/scratches, edge wear, interior marks, veneer chips/damage, see photos.
- Seller Location:Trenton, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7426230946422
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: Trenton, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Harvey Probber Coffee Table, SignedBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Trenton, NJStriking Mid-Century Modern coffee table by Harvey Probber features floating top style with clean lines and two tone finish. The beautiful vintage design makes the perfect center pie...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- Heywood-Wakefield Writing DeskBy Heywood-Wakefield Co., Count Alexis de SakhnoffskyLocated in Trenton, NJInvite mid-century charm into your workspace with this Heywood Wakefield Desk, a highly sought and highly functional icon of vintage modern furniture. This desk, with its sleek curve...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Nine Drawer Dresser signed Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Trenton, NJThe stylish vintage elegance of this 1950s bedroom dresser from Harvey Probber features clean mid-century modern design, carved wood handles, and quality manufacture. Perfect nine drawer bedroom storage makes a striking vintage modern dresser...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Nightstand & End Table by Harvey Probber, SignedBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Trenton, NJThis stunning pair of Harvey Probber side tables make for unique nightstands- one with three wide storage drawers, the second with lower cabinet spac...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Writing Desk with Filing DrawerLocated in Trenton, NJThis unique midcentury writing desk is long and narrow with a durable laminate top and sturdy metal frames. Three drawer configuration include...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber NightstandBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Trenton, NJThis Harvey Probber nightstand offers an upper bedside drawer with lower cubby style storage. Perfect height for use as a bedside table or li...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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