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.
Harvey Probber Etched Metal Top Coffee Table Model #1322
By Harvey Probber
Located in Lynn, MA
Rare Harvey Probber table model No. 1322 with etched pewter top on a mahogany base. The etched metal top was made by artist Arpad Rosti with whom Probber collaborated on several desi...
Metal
Milo Baughman Cocktail Table Item No. 500
By Milo Baughman, Glenn of California
Located in Lynn, MA
Important and rare cocktail table designed by Milo Baughman for Glenn of California. This piece along with others were part of the California Modern collection line which Glenn of Ca...
Aluminum
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Walnut Cocktail table model #3343
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Lynn, MA
Circular saber leg cocktail table by TH Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Cataloged as model 3343 Cocktail Table. Beautiful contrasts and fantastic grains.
Walnut
Edward Wormley Round two tier Walnut Coffee table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lynn, MA
Round two tier walnut coffee table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fantastic grains. Ready for use
Walnut
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings FreeForm "WCD" Cocktail Table for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Lynn, MA
Rare T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings designed FreeForm "WCD" Cocktail Table for Widdicomb. This is the more rare larger model vs "1759". Great and collectable design from Gibbings. The table...
Brass
Edward Wormley Walnut Nesting Tables model #4785, set of five
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lynn, MA
Set of (5) walnut nesting tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Cataloged as model #4785. Sap walnut tops with ebonized base. Signed Dunbar. Largest -H: 20.50 x W: 26.25 x D: 15.5 H...
Walnut
Mid-Century Walnut and Glass Biomorphic Coffee Table by Harvey Probber, 1960s
By Harvey Probber
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by Harvey Probber and manufactured in the United States during the 1960s, this biomorphic coffee table is a striking example of the sculptural approach that helped define Am...
Glass, Walnut
Glass and Bubinga Coffee Table by Thomas Throop Black Creek Designs In Stock
By Black Creek Designs LLC
Located in New Canaan, CT
This Novo Coffee table features a sublimely straight forward figured bubinga base supporting a 1/2" thick glass top. The design affords a clear top surface while offering display space below on the highly figured bubinga shelf. The supporting legs are tapered which is accentuated by tapered champers which lead the eye from the mass of the bottom to up the glass support points in a highly unique shape. This is a very versatile design that can accommodate a variety of symmetrical shapes with corresponding lower shelf. These shapes include circle, square, oval and rectangle as shown. Matching side tables can also be made to any height utilizing the same design and structural language. The overall effect is a highly sculptural table that is ultimately very functional. Each element is selected, shaped, joined and finished so as to create a unified design. The Novo coffee table is designed and made at the Black Creek Designs studio in New Canaan, CT by Thomas Throop...
Glass, Bubinga
Davis Smoked Glass Coffee Table Walnut
By Tronk Design
Located in Cincinnati, US
A perfect mix of Scandinavian inspiration and industrial flare that cohesively come together to make a statement piece which embodies simplicity, functionality and elegance. The Da...
Glass, Wood, Walnut
Glass and Bubinga Coffee Table Thomas Throop Black Creek Designs Made to Order
By Black Creek Designs LLC
Located in New Canaan, CT
The Novo Coffee Table embodies refined simplicity and exceptional craftsmanship. Its figured bubinga base, carefully shaped with tapered legs and chamfered edges, creates a striking ...
Glass, Bubinga
Bramin Mobler Mid Century Danish Rosewood and Glass Coffee Table
By Bramin Mobler
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Bramin Mobler Mid Century Danish Rosewood and Glass Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 27.5 wide x 27.5 deep x 12.5 inches high ...
Metal
American Modern Molded Dark Wood and Glass Coffee Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Modern coffee table with three molded dark wood legs and a three-sided glass top.
Wood, Glass
