Vintage Modern Walnut Writing Desk by Harvey Probber
About the Item
- Creator:Harvey Probber (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 68 in (172.72 cm)Depth: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Walnut
- Period:1960-1969
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Age appropriate wear, nicks, dings, edge wear, drawer locked and no key!
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- 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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Wall, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut DeskLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage modern writing desk featured in rich walnut grain. This desk sits on sleek tapered legs and has two spacious drawers. This would be...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk by MainlineBy Mainline by HookerLocated in Brooklyn, NYElegant, functional, and full of mid-century quality, this vintage writing desk by Mainline stands out with its rich walnut woodgrain and stylish design. Spacious compartments allow ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Vintage Danish Modern Writing Desk by Domino MøblerLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern office desk with two banks of drawers. Danish made teak wood desk for home or office use. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Vintage Modern Writing Desk by Wolfgang HoffmanBy Wolfgang HoffmannLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stylish black lacquer writing desk features the unique vintage design of Mid-Century Modern designer Wolfgang Hoffman. Spacious drawers with tubu...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Desks
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Desk and ChairLocated in Brooklyn, NYInteresting desk with a matching chair. Please confirm item location with dealer (NJ or NY).Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- Vintage '80s Maple Writing Desk by ThomasvilleBy ThomasvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYFantastic blonde writing desk from the master craftsmen of North Carolina's Thomasville Furniture Company. Beautiful light wood grain along with chrome legs and accents allow this de...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Executive Walnut Desk by Harvey Probber, C. 1950sBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Westport, CTA large-scale desk executed in walnut, designed by Harvey Probber, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored to its original finish and functionality, featuring a con-cave top and nickel ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsNickel
- Large L Shape Walnut Desk with Return by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Rockaway, NJVery nice Mid-Century Modern executive desk by Harvey Probber.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Harvey Probber Rosewood Desk, 1960s, UsaBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Miami, FLRestored Harvey Probber rosewood desk.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Williams Writing Desk Walnut GreenLocated in Cincinnati, USA thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a beveled wooden top. The irregular be...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Desks and Wri...
MaterialsSteel
- Williams Hairpin Writing Desk Walnut YellowLocated in Cincinnati, USA thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a beveled wooden top. The irregular be...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writ...
MaterialsSteel
- Williams Hairpin Writing Desk Walnut NavyLocated in Cincinnati, USA thin, elegant and light desk that can be customized to any color desired. This handcrafted item perfectly blends industrial hairpin legs with a beveled wooden top. The irregular be...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writ...
MaterialsSteel