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.
$17,700 / set
H 35.5 in W 28 in D 34 in
Paolo Buffa Attrib., Beige Shearling, Wood, Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Stamford, CT
Paolo Buffa Attribution, Beige Shearling, Ebonized Wood, Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s Pair of large organic form lounge chairs attributed to Paolo Buffa and produced in Italy in the ...
Sheepskin, Wood
Milo Baughman Tilt/Swivels in Holly Hunt Teddy
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover the exquisite Milo Baughman Tilt/Swivels, expertly reimagined in the iconic "Roxy" chair design. These chairs not only rock slightly and swivel, but also feature the luxurio...
Upholstery, Walnut
$15,000 / set
H 30.5 in W 28 in D 29 in
Danish Modern, Honey Sheepskin, Beech, Organic Lounge Chairs, Denmark, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
Danish Modern, Honey Sheepskin, Beech, Organic Lounge Chairs, Denmark, 1940s Pair of organic form lounge or easy chairs by an unknown Danish cabinetmaker designed and produced in De...
Sheepskin, Beech
$9,500 / set
H 28 in W 29.5 in D 33 in
Set of Swivel Chairs in Walnut and Linen by Harvey Probber, C. 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Westport, CT
This refined pair of lounge chairs showcases a beautifully sculpted silhouette upholstered in a sophisticated grey woven linen-polyester textile by Holly Hunt, offering the organic c...
Linen, Polyester, Walnut
$29,470 / set
H 29.14 in W 28.35 in D 29.14 in
Flemming Lassen Pair of Easy Chairs in Beige Sheepskin, 1940s
By Jacob Kjaer, Flemming Lassen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Flemming Lassen, pair of easy chairs for master cabinetmaker Jacob Kjaer, Denmark. Tapering legs in stained ash and reupholstered in beige sheepskin. The model was presented at The ...
Sheepskin, Ash
$46,000 / set
H 45.5 in W 32 in D 33 in
Renzo Zavanella, Honey Sheepskin, Wood, Rare Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s
By Renzo Zavanella
Located in Stamford, CT
Renzo Zavanella, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Honey Shearling, Wood, Rare Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s Pair of exceptionally rare organic modern form lounge chairs designed by Renzo Z...
Sheepskin, Wood
$14,100 / set
H 35 in W 36 in D 31.5 in
Italian Modern, Honey Shearling, Stained Wood, Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s
By Federico Munari
Located in Stamford, CT
Federico Munari Style, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Lounge or Arm Chairs, Honey Sheepskin, 1950s Italian mid-century modern lounge chairs from the 1950s, newly upholstered in luxurio...
Sheepskin, Wood
$19,800 / set
H 30 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
Vintage Restored Florence Knoll Armchairs in Pierre Frey Teddy Mohair
By Florence Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
These are so beautiful and so comfortable. We love the architectural lines and geometric profile of this iconic Florence Knoll design. This pair is an early example with the walnut l...
Mohair, Velvet, Walnut
$30,943 / set
H 35.04 in W 32.68 in D 37.41 in
Midcentury Modern Sheepskin lounge chairs, Denmark, 1930s
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of striking Danish Modern lounge chairs, in an oversized, functionalist design. Upholstered with sheepskin, compact wooden feet.
Sheepskin, Wood
$4,200 / item
H 31 in W 40 in D 38 in
Lawson-Fenning Mesa Swivel Chair, Rust Velvet & Walnut, Modern Lounge Chair
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Mesa Swivel Chair by Lawson-Fenning is a fully upholstered club chair that features a walnut or oak inset base. Pair with the Mesa Ottoman. Available with a Square Base. The Law...
Velvet, Walnut
Mid Century Modern Large Slipper Lounge Chairs in Butterscotch Peruvian Alpaca
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This uniquely large pair of slipper chairs fully restored from top to bottom and newly upholstered in hand sewn Alpaca hides is without a doubt the Cadillac of Mid Century Modern luxury and style. Large seat. Large enveloping seat back with pinched wing back corners beckon you to drape yourself in whichever way feels right. Form is reminiscent of Paul Laszlo and his mid century modern silhouettes but roomier. The new Alpaca upholstery is truly divine - a blanket of artisan hand sewn butterscotch color hides carefully stitched together to create a blanket of organic uniformity. The softest hide in the world, Alpaca is baby soft to the touch. Original walnut bases newly refinished and restored to their original luster. Brass sabots. One of a kind furniture art. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed along with and also available in our shop - Large Italian Two Part Travertine Modular Coffee Table by Up & Up, circa 1970s Curtis Jere Tree of Life...
Hide, Alpaca, Upholstery, Walnut
Single Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Swivel Chair in Camel Teddy Bear Fabric
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This Vladimir Kagan Nautilus swivel lounge chair is sculptural, comfortable and fun, and was recently professionally reupholstered in super soft curly camel. Modern with a warm and i...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Mid Century Modern Edward Wormley Style Cane Back Lounge Chairs in Curly Camel
By Edward Wormley
Located in Saint Louis, MO
The alluring contrast between the sleek brushed walnut frames and the curly organic camel fabric shapes makes these chairs the kind of Mid Century Modern lounge chairs that get notic...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Karpen Wingback Chairs in Luxuriously Soft Milk Chocolate Shearling, circa 1950s
By Karpen of California
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Stunning one of a kind pair of Mid-Century Modern wingback chairs by Karpen upholstered in super soft hand sewn Cocoa Milk Chocolate Shearling. The sort of chairs that become a family heirloom. A great reading chair. Perfect for a sexy mountain lodge or cigar room. A successful executive's evening chairs - perhaps fireside - while enjoying a robust Cabernet or a single malt scotch whiskey and cigar. Tall sculptural wingbacks have a commanding shape with an air of old money. The chairs are covered from top to bottom & front and back in several hand cut and sewn shearling hides. The Chocolate Shearling squares gently soften the formality to deliver super soft comfort and a luxurious look and sheen. You can't help but want to run your hand over the super soft shearling. Rich in color, the hides reflect light in different ways adding contrast and depth. Natural chestnut red highlights surface in the Cocoa Shearling. Tufted rounded backs - as originally designed - reinforce the chic and elegant vibe and invite you to lean back and relax. Wide seat and backs. Original sturdy walnut frame and conical legs. Shearling is highly durable and cleans up well - red wine approved. Seat cushions are upholstered in shearling on both sides in case you need a quick seat cushion flip - no expense spared. These Karpen Wingback shearling chairs are a special treat and wonderful acquisition. As glamorous and sexy today as when first made in the 1950s. Timeless. And they are the only pair available. Globally. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed along with and also currently available in our shop: Vladimir Kagan Nautilus scroll sofa in Ivory Bouclé Charles Hollis Jones Faux bamboo & brass console Redwood floating slice coffee table over Lucite Base 1960s Brutalist female nude sculpture of painted iron on Travertine base 1950s John Keal side table with Travertine top for Brown Saltman Maitland Smith...
Hide, Sheepskin, Walnut
Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Swivel Chairs & Ottoman in Butterscotch Shearling
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Amongst the most popular Vladimir Kagan designs, these Nautilus swivel lounge chairs are sculptural, comfortable and fun, and were freshly upholstered in hand sewn butterscotch shear...
Upholstery, Hide
Art Deco Bentwood Lounge Chairs in New Golden Palomino Sheepskin Hides c. 1930
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Ride away in your very own sheepskin sleigh with this all over plush pair of luxurious Art Deco Lounge Chairs newly professionally upholstered in hand sewn cozy golden Palomino sheep...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Oak, Bentwood
