Harvey Probber Tuxedo Lounge Chair
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)Depth: 33 in (83.82 cm)Seat Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Good.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:
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: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Open Frame Lounge Chairs, Attributed to Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Chicago, ILOpen frame lounge chairs, attributed to Harvey Probber. Chairs have been fully restored and upholstered in leather.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLacquer, Leather
- Harvey Probber Brass Frame Bench, 1960By Harvey ProbberLocated in Chicago, ILBeautiful brass frame bench by Harvey Probber circa 1960s. Fully restored, and reupholstered.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsBrass
- Baron Lounge Chairs by Robert Haussmann for Stendig, Cream Leather, 1970By Stendig Co., Robert HaussmannLocated in Chicago, ILBaron lounge chair by Robert Haussmann for Stendig, Cream Leather, 1970. Original leather with beautiful patina. Sofa is sold in separate ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Pair LC3 Grand Modele Lounge Arm Chair Style of Le Corbusier, 1980By Le CorbusierLocated in Chicago, ILPair LC3 Grand Modele Lounge Arm Chair Style of Le Corbusier, 1980. Original leather which is extremely soft with Chrome finished steel.Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- French Art Deco Elephant Club Chairs, 1940Located in Chicago, ILFrench Art Deco elephant club chairs, 1940. Recently reupholstered in soft creamy tan leather.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Pair Tufted Cube Leather Club Chairs, 1970Located in Chicago, ILPair tufted cube leather club chairs, 1970. Original leather.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Harvey Probber Cube Lounge ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Middlesex, NJHarvey Probber cube lounge chairs in original condition with labels.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
- Pair of Black Leather Harvey Probber Swivel Lounge ChairsBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Dallas, TXIf you're looking for a set of classic barrel chairs that'll stand the test of time, consider Harvey Probber, Model 303A swiveling chairs. The chair's solid-body design is perfectly ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsWood, Leather
- Harvey Probber Swivel Barrel Back Lounge Chairs Mid-century ModernBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Pemberton, NJGORGEOUS PAIR OF HARVEY PROBBER STYLE SWIVEL BARREL BACK LOUNGE CHAIRS. THESE CHAIRS RETAIN THEIR ORIGINAL VINTAGE HEAVY BLUE WOVEN UPHOLSTERY IN NICE CONDITION. THE BASES ARE EXTR...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- 1970s Mcm to Modern Harvey Probber Club Chairs Orange 1571 Tuxedo Sleigh BasesBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Topeka, KSMagnificent vintage MCM (a.k.a. Mid-Century Modern) to Modern Harvey Probber orange tuxedo style 1571 club chairs with black painted sleigh bases, a pair. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that they are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. They have been professionally shampooed and are in wonderful condition. There is a slight sun fading to the fabric that cannot be detected unless you remove the cushions, and we did some slight touch up to the legs. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1970’s. Are oranges named oranges because oranges are orange OR is orange called orange because oranges are orange??? Hmmmmmmm???? We may never know… BUT we DO know that this pair of orange club chairs by Harvey Probber is PHENOMENAL!!! Double your seating pleasure with this dynamic duo comprised of fully upholstered tuxedo style frames, deep seats hosting loose zippered foam filled seat and back cushions, fabulous black painted sleigh bases, PLUS they are wearing their original orange large weave hopsacking fabric. WOW!! They are stunning in their simplicity, extremely comfortable, and ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!! They will be fabulous in the corner of your bedroom, in the living room across from your sofa, in the sitting room with a wonderful accent table in between, or in the den facing the fireplace. They are mid-century modern with a modern feel and will blend in beautifully with many styles of décor. This pair of club chairs is ready to be your new favorite vintage pieces and make a bold statement in any room you choose! Harvey Probber was born on September 17, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York. He began his love for furniture early and while attending high school he took a part-time job in a used furniture store and was inspired to try his hand at drawing ideas for furniture. Probber sold his first sofa design when he was just 16, for $10. After high school graduation, he accepted a job as designer for Trade Upholstery which was a small manufacturing facility. The 1940’s was the beginning of American modernism, a time characterized by young designers with talent, initiative, and a willingness to take risks with new ideas. Probber was one of an early band of pioneer designers in a field that included iconic names such as D.J. DePree of Herman Miller, Hans Knoll, Georg Tanier, and Jack Lenor Larsen. Probber established Harvey Probber, Inc., in 1945 and in the mid years of the twentieth century, Harvey Probber became one of America's leading designers. He favored exotic woods, highly polished lacquer, hand-rubbed finishes, and extravagant upholstery fabrics. In little over a decade, Harvey Probber, Inc. became one of the country’s leading contemporary furniture firms. His most significant design breakthrough was his modular seating concept. It was the first of its kind. He also introduced the “sling chair” and “nuclear furniture” which could be clustered and had interchangeable pieces. By the 1970s, Harvey Probber, Inc. had opened trade showrooms in major design centers across the country. His work was awarded two "Best of Neocon" Gold Awards from the Resources Council of the Institute of Business Designers for the Houston Chair...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Foam, Wood
- Large Lounge Chair on Walnut Frame Base by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey Probber, Paul McCobbLocated in Rockaway, NJNice large Harvey Probber lounge chairs on walnut base. Good upholstery condition.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of "Raphael Lounge Chairs" in Black Leather by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYPair of "Raphael Lounge Chairs" model no. 4121 in black leather by Harvey Probber, American, circa 1982 (label on bottom reads "Harvey Probber".) Harvey Probber is synonymous with gr...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Foam, Wood
