Harvey Probber 1922–2003
Pioneering and innovative furniture designer Harvey Probber sold his first sofa design when he was just sixteen years old. He coined the concept of modular furniture and proceeded to compose harmonious interiors incorporating art and design.
Probber was raised in Brooklyn and as a high school student, he worked part-time in a used furniture store and began to draw his own furnishings. The successful sale of his sofa design deepened his curiosity and he visited the New York Furniture Exchange in Manhattan to make more connections within the industry. After his high school graduation, he took a position as a designer at Trade Upholstery, a small factory on West 17th Street, where he learned about the manufacturing and distribution of furniture. Probber’s ideas flourished and he produced successful, award-winning designs for other firms by 1940.
However, the onset of World War II briefly halted Probber’s career path. He joined the Coast Guard and toured the country with the Coast Guard Band as a baritone singer, entertaining troops. When the war ended, he continued touring and singing while sketching furniture designs in his down time.
Production of furniture was limited due to war-time shortages, but in 1945, Probber decided to go into manufacturing with his company, Harvey Probber, Inc. Around this time, Probber introduced his Sert Group furniture with various standalone modules that worked in combination with others in the line. Probber called his idea “Modular Furniture”; a concept that was quickly adopted by other designers and continues to be widely used today. In 1948, Probber’s Sling chair design was included in the influential Good Design exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York and by the 1950s, his pieces were found in high end department stores across the country.
Probber opened showrooms across the country and continued to introduce highly sought after modern designs throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Even after he sold his company in 1986, he continued to work as a design consultant.
Design and creativity did not stop for Probber at his own furniture. His business model incorporated the distribution of designs by Maria Pergay, Angelo Mangiarotti, Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm among others that fit Probber’s modern vision. Furthermore, Probber intentionally designed his showrooms and developed his own advertising campaigns to include both art and design, creating a dialog between the two that illustrated neither exists in a vacuum.
Probber died in 2003 but he is remembered fondly for his innovative designs that remain as novel today as when they were first conceived.
Upcoming Lots Harvey Probber
100
Harvey Probber
Bench from the Artisan Collection
estimate: $2,000–3,000
102
Harvey Probber
Prototype stool from the Artisan Collection
estimate: $1,500–2,000
104
Harvey Probber
Sling chair
estimate: $3,000–5,000
105
Harvey Probber
Series 80 occasional tables model 81, pair
estimate: $3,000–5,000
107
Harvey Probber
Prototype cabinets from the Artisan Collection, set of two
estimate: $6,000–8,000
110
Harvey Probber
Cube club chairs model 248 from the Architectural series, pair
estimate: $3,000–5,000
111
Harvey Probber
Prototype stool from the Artisan Collection
estimate: $1,500–2,000
113
Harvey Probber
Mayan sofa, model 4193
estimate: $5,000–7,000
115
Harvey Probber
Cubes model 8031 from the Artisan Collection, pair
estimate: $1,000–1,500
117
Harvey Probber
Classique dining chairs model 8071C from the Artisan Collection, set of six
estimate: $3,000–5,000
119
Harvey Probber
Series 61 console table
estimate: $1,000–1,500
120
Harvey Probber
Etagere for the Artisan Collection
estimate: $3,000–5,000
123
Harvey Probber
Prototype hanging light
estimate: $2,000–3,000
124
Harvey Probber
Oval cocktail table
estimate: $1,500–2,000
127
Harvey Probber
Series 61 console table
estimate: $1,000–1,500
129
Harvey Probber
Modular Seating Series 70 bench with custom chaise
estimate: $3,000–5,000
130
Harvey Probber
Modular sofa rendering
estimate: $3,000–5,000
131
Harvey Probber
Dining table
estimate: $3,000–5,000
132
Harvey Probber
Dining chairs models 1548 and 1548A, set of six
estimate: $2,000–3,000
133
Harvey Probber
Prototype hanging light
estimate: $1,500–2,000
134
Harvey Probber
Modular sofa rendering
estimate: $2,000–3,000
135
Harvey Probber
Series 80 coffee table, model 82 with custom top
estimate: $2,000–3,000
137
Harvey Probber
Series 61 occasional tables model 61-18.5, pair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
139
Harvey Probber
Dining chairs model 1548, set of four
estimate: $1,500–2,000
140
Harvey Probber
Table lamp
estimate: $1,500–2,000
141
Harvey Probber
Series 80 coffee table, model 82
estimate: $1,500–2,000
143
Harvey Probber
Custom benches, pair
estimate: $1,500–2,000
145
Harvey Probber
Nightstands, pair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
146
Harvey Probber
Travertine table, model 1393
estimate: $1,000–1,500
151
Harvey Probber
Cabinet
estimate: $1,500–2,000
157
Harvey Probber
Bench, model 929
estimate: $1,000–1,500
160
Harvey Probber
Rosewood side cabinet, model 1151
estimate: $1,000–1,500
161
Harvey Probber
Collection of seventy-nine petroglyphs
estimate: $500–700
162
Harvey Probber
Cabinet
estimate: $3,000–5,000
164
Harvey Probber
Chaise lounge
estimate: $3,000–5,000
Auction Results Harvey Probber
Harvey Probber
custom cabinet
estimate: $6,000–8,000
result: $11,875
Harvey Probber
Mayan sofa
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $11,250
Harvey Probber
lounge chairs, pair
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $10,200
Harvey Probber
Mayan sofa
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $9,000
Harvey Probber
Advent executive desk
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $8,750
Harvey Probber
occasional tables, set of three
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $8,400
Harvey Probber
dining table
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $8,125
Harvey Probber
Sling chair
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $6,600