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.
Spindle Back Dining Chair in White Ash by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this chair I wanted to best utilize the best and most practical aspects of the classical Windsor chair and apply them in contemporary proportion. The genius of the class...
Ash
Spindle Back Dining Chair in Ebonized Oak by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this chair I wanted to best utilize the best and most practical aspects of the classical Windsor chair and apply them in contemporary proportion. The genius of the class...
Oak
$2,200 / item
Henry the Armchair in Walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are individu...
Walnut
'Henry the Armchair' in Walnut with Leather Upholstery by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are indivi...
Walnut
$2,200 / item
Henry the Armchair in White Ash
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are individu...
Ash, Walnut
$2,250 / item
Henry the Armchair in Walnut with Upholstered Seat
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are indivi...
Walnut
'Henry the Armchair' in Walnut with Leather Upholstery by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Henry the armchair is an original design by Brian Holcombe. Ergonomically designed around the human proportion this chair accommodates comfortable seating. These chairs are indivi...
Walnut
$1,620 / item
H 33.86 in W 18.9 in D 14.57 in
Moooi The Golden Chair in Black Steel Frame with Vesper, Bronze Upholstery
By Moooi, Nika Zupanc
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Under a mysterious magic spell, a retro-looking school chair is dipped in enchanted golden nectar, which washes away its austerity and crows it with a shi...
Steel
$1,035Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 41.34 in W 20.08 in D 20.87 in
Vintage English Walnut Chairs in the Chippendale Style, 1920s, Set of 3
Located in Opole, PL
Vintage English Walnut Chairs in the Chippendale Style, 1920s, Set of 3 This elegant set of three English dining chairs, crafted in the early 20th century, beautifully reflects the ...
Walnut, Upholstery
$3,800 / set
H 37.5 in W 21 in D 22 in
Seven Robsjohn-Gibbings Style Spindle Back Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Hanover, MA
Seven sinewy curved walnut spindle-back dining chairs; 2 arm chairs and 5 side chairs, exceptionally well made (note cross-stretchers and tightness of joints, curved swan-like arms, hex blocks and bowed spindle rails). Maker unknown but clearly in the style of Robsjohn-Gibbings. Solid quality Mid-Century Modern dining chairs that feel good to the touch. Measure: Arm height 26.5 Sold only as a set of seven. We recovered two chairs in an ivory moire...
Walnut
$995 / item
H 32.29 in W 20.87 in D 21.26 in
Contemporary Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered in Leather or Textiles with Arms
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Dry chair collection. The Dry chair concept is to work in a mixture of distinct references resulting in a modern classic in a dance between the retro and the modern. A heavy and i...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Laminate, Hardwood
$294 / item
H 29.14 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
2 White Dining Chairs in the Style of Charlotte Perriand, France, 1960
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
2 dining chairs in the style of Charlotte Perriand from the '50s All original and in good vintage condition. Solid heavy wood...
Cane, Rush, Wood
$3,450 / set
H 31.89 in W 22.64 in D 19.69 in
Ton Set of Six Armchairs in Bentwood with Red Upholstery
By TON a.s.
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ton, set of six armchairs, fabric, bentwood beech, Czech Republic, 1960s This elegant set of dining chairs, manufactured by Ton, features a wonderful bentwood frame. The round shape...
Fabric, Beech
$3,765 / set
H 38.59 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Set of Four Dining Chairs in Walnut in the Style of Scarpa, Italy 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Hellouw, NL
These dining chairs share great similarities with the designs of Afra and Tobia Scarpa and Mobil Girgi. This is a playful design that follows the rule of a dining chair. Meaning that...
Leather, Walnut
Modern Upholstered Dining Chair with Cubed Seat on Casters
By The Tailored Home, Jhon Ortiz
Located in Greenwich, CT
This modern dining chair features a clean, tailored silhouette with a distinctive cubed seat and gently curved back. Shown upholstered in an ecru linen fabri...
Linen
$2,900 / item
H 31.5 in W 18 in D 19.63 in
UNA Dining Chair in Black Stained Ash with Upholstered Seat by Estudio Persona
By Estudio Persona
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The UNA chair combines a curved wooden seat and legs with a leather-upholstered cylindrical back, creating a balance between comfort and simple geometry. Its design highlights the na...
Leather, Oak
$2,000 / item
H 33.5 in W 21 in D 24 in
Modern White Oak Dining Chair with Ebony Finish and Upholstered Seat
By Jhon Ortiz, The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
A dining chair constructed of white oak with an ebony finish, shown in cut velvet upholstery. The upholstered seat and structured frame provide support suited for dining and hospital...
Oak
French Armchair with Red Wooden Frame and Straw Seat
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Armchair, beech, straw, France, 1960s. Stunning French armchair with red beech frame and classic organic straw seat. This chair features a solid wooden frame, consisting of cylindri...
Straw, Beech
Luc Counter Stool in Solid Wood, Brass and Upholstered Seat
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
When it comes to Luc counter stool, the playing field is the cross-section where functional design and craftsmanship of the highest quality meet art. This chair is made of solid wood...
Brass