Brian Holcombe is a woodworker specializing in handmade, one-of-a-kind furniture influenced by Japanese sashimono techniques and furniture of the Chinese Ming Dynasty. All of Holcombe’s woodwork is joined together without the use of fasteners, nails or screws, and units like his credenzas and cabinets often feature shoji — traditional Japanese sliding doors or screens. His work is mid-century modern in style but thoughtfully traditional in construction as it draws on the materials and techniques once favored by the Samurai and wealthy merchants of Asia.
His studio, where he builds elegant bookcases, daybeds, benches and other pieces, is in Princeton, New Jersey. By creating his furniture by hand, Holcombe intimately understands the nature of each material he uses. While much of his work is made of wood, the use of various types, including ash, walnut and mahogany, gives a sophisticated variation to the furniture, with brass accents furthering the depth of its design. Holcombe uses mulberry paper for his sliding door pieces and offers a live edge on some products, like his dining room tables.
In addition to producing beautiful furniture, Holcombe teaches woodworking classes both in person and online, including workshops on hand tools, interlocking techniques and shoji doors. Publications such as Fine Woodworking and Handwork Magazine have featured his expert work.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Brian Holcombe seating, tables, storage case pieces and more.
$3,800 / item
Dovetailed Corner Long Bench in Mahogany
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this bench I took cues from sashimono, seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a closer look. In building this bench I utilize...
Mahogany
$4,500 / item
Tea House Chair in Mahogany
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this chair I took cues from both Japanese sashimono and English windsor chairs, seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a clos...
Mahogany
$2,950 / item
Dovetailed Bench in Mahogany by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this bench I took cues from sashimono, seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a closer look. In building this bench I utilize...
Mahogany
$3,995Sale Price / item|15% Off
Live Edge Trestle Bench in Cherry by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this bench I took cues from sashimono, seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a closer look. In building this bench I utilized joinery unique to Japanese timber carpentry. This bench utilizes joinery found in traditional Japanese carpentry...
Cherry
Shoji Privacy Screen in Walnut with Washi, Room Divider
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Freestanding privacy screen made in the style of traditional shoji with a detailed kumiko pattern featuring washi. This screen is lightweight but highly resistant to tipping. It can be very easily repositioned for use in many settings. The screen shown is made of walnut but this can be created in yellow...
Walnut
$3,500 / item
Trestle Cocktail Table in Mahogany
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this table I took cues from both Japanese sashimono and traditional timber framing seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a c...
Mahogany
$2,950 / item
Dovetailed Bench in Mahogany
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this bench I took cues from sashimono, seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a closer look. In building this bench I utilize...
Mahogany
$1,198Sale Price / item|29% Off
H 28 in W 36 in D 6 in
Fireplace Screen in Metal with a Blackened Steel Finish Customizable
By Redsoul
Located in Seattle, WA
The Court Screen is a modern metal fireplace screen cover that can be used flush fitted into the fireplace opening or can stand right outside a ...
Steel
Bronze MFA Bench by American Studio Craft Artist David N. Ebner
By David N. Ebner
Located in Bellport, NY
An awarding winning bronze studio crafted bench by American artist, David N. Ebner. MFA stands for Museum of Fine Arts and located in Boston, MA. This piece has a wonderful Asian el...
Bronze
$1,150
H 15 in W 36 in D 18 in
Classic Mid-Century Modern Wicker and Iron Cocktail Table by Danny Ho Fong
By Danny Ho Fong
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modern wicker and iron cocktail table by Danny Ho Fong.
Iron
$920 / item
H 43.3 in W 23.62 in D 23.62 in
Round High Top Table with Steel Base and Werzalit Top, Cocktail Table
Located in Miami, FL
Round high top table with steel base and werzalit top. Cocktail table Ideal for hospitality.
Iron
$2,000 / item
H 17 in W 36 in D 12 in
Walnut Knife Beam Bench 3' Long Solid Wood + Blackened Steel by Alabama Sawyer
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
Our knife beam bench in walnut utilizes salvaged walnut wood logs for a rustic bench. Narrow and backless, the simple lines express the natural texture of the end grain of each species. The 12" x 12" beam is milled and finished to sit raised by a mild steel base with a black patina. The beam bench brings rustic beauty at a variety of lengths. Cracks, knots, saw marks and variation is part of the beauty of these pieces. The wood will continue to move and the finish to patina over time. The knife walnut beam bench makes a cozy coffee table in a den or living room or low table in a mud room or entry hall for flexible use as a place to place packages and bags or to remove shoes. With the oiled finish used on the knife walnut beam bench, we do not recommend putting this bench outside...
Steel
$7,400 / item
H 15.75 in W 55.12 in D 39.38 in
Oval Outdoor Coffee Table in Resin Fiberglass with Antique Finish
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Contemporary outdoor/indoor coffee table built with resin reinforced fiberglass. This highly resistant material is very durable and requires less maintenance than concrete. The table...
Resin, Fiberglass
$1,368Sale Price|40% Off
H 12.6 in W 41.93 in D 15.56 in
French Coffee Table with Glazed Ceramics in the st of Roger Capron, circa 1960
By Roger Capron
Located in Labrit, Landes
Coffee table with glazed faience and terracotta tiles top in the style of Roger Capron. The contrast between the glossy, shiny appearance of the tiles and the sobriety of the terraco...
Iron
Folding Screen Room Divider in Solid Mahogany
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this folding screen made in solid frames of mahogany wood with brass details, circa 1950.
Mahogany
$280 / item
H 33.46 in W 17.71 in D 17.71 in
Garden Chairs in Brown Wrought Iron with Cushions. Indoor & Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
Garden chairs in brown wrought iron.
Wrought Iron
Round Table with Steel Base, Garden Table or Bistro Table
Located in Miami, FL
Round table with steel base. Garden table or bistro table Ideal for hospitality. Indoor and outdoor.
Iron
Richard "Dick" Harvey Sculpta Grille Room Divider by Modernica
By Don Harvey
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a free standing "Contemporary" model C-20 Sculpta room divider. Born in 1919 and raised in New York City, Richard "Dick" Harvey studied art at Brooklyn Tech High school an...
Resin, Wood
20th Century Catalan Bench in Walnut with Caned Seat
Located in Miami, FL
Rare midcentury sofa, settee or bench in the Spanish style with cane back. Shown in original condition, please note price includes refinishing.
Cane, Walnut