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.
John Van Koert for Drexel Mid-Century Modern Walnut Highboy Dresser, 1959
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern highboy dresser or gentleman's chest By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1959 Sculpted walnut, with original brass hardw...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Dresser or Chest of Drawers, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern three-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with original bras...
Brass
Mastercraft Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Walnut Chest of Drawers, 1960s
By Mastercraft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency dresser or chest of drawers By Mastercraft Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Sculpted walnut, with original brass hardware. Measures: 36"...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Dresser or Chest of Drawers, Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern three-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with original bras...
Brass
Mid-Century French Regency Carved Mahogany Highboy Dresser or Chest of Drawers
By R-Way Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century French Regency or Hollywood Regency style highboy dresser or chest of drawers By R-Way Furniture Co. USA, Circa 1950s Beautiful carved bleached mahogany, wi...
Brass
Robsjohn-Gibbings Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers With Bookcase, 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut three-drawer dresser or server with bookcase hutch top By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb USA, 1950s Measures: 51.25"W x 20....
Walnut
Vintage Six-Drawer Rosewood and Mahogany Highboy Chest Dresser by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century six-drawer highboy chest/dresser by Harvey Probber (ca. 1960s, USA). Six dovetailed-drawer design with two relatively shallow top drawers and four standard in rosewood wi...
Brass
Mid Century Teak Chest of Drawers
Located in Baltimore, MD
An elegant Mid-Century Modern small chest of drawers. This is a beautiful example of Mid-Century craftsmanship. This beautiful compact dresser is difficult to find in this size. An e...
Teak
Rare Three-Drawer Mahogany Dresser by Harvey Probber, USA, c. 1960's
By Harvey Probber
Located in Deland, FL
Equal parts functional and aesthetically pleasing this perfectly minimalist three-drawer dresser, designed by Harvey Probber, is an ideal selection for collectors of early American ...
Mahogany
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mahogany 3 Drawer Dresser
Located in Seattle, WA
Clean lined three drawer dresser. Elliptical inset drawer openings and four brass-clad mahogany deeply recessed legs with high set mahogany stretchers.
Mahogany
Teak Mid-Century Modern Tall Dresser
Located in Baltimore, MD
Mid-Century Modern teak high boy dresser, chest of drawers, made in Denmark. Minimalist Danish Modern inspired profile and extremely well-made dr...
Teak
Mid Century Scandinavian Petite Chest of Drawers in Teak
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Scandinavian chest of drawers in old growth teak with solid teak handles. The cabinet contains three drawers -- interiors are comprised of solid oak. The cabinet is in very good vint...
Oak, Teak
