Brian Holcombe Desks

American, b. 1984

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.

Creator: Brian Holcombe

Butler's Desk or Walnut Secretary

$25,000 / item

Butler's Desk or Walnut Secretary

By Brian Holcombe

Located in Princeton, NJ

A contemporary take on the butler's desk. A butler's desk is a cabinet that converts into a desk, concealing its function. A desk, standing on its own looks out of place without an accompanying chair and lamp, but a cabinet that functions as a desk looks fine all by itself. This is entirely handmade, down to the desk hardware...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Brass

Stewart MacDougall 1970s Room Divider with Desk, Birch, Walnut & Formica

$6,750

H 55 in W 55.75 in D 96.25 in

Stewart MacDougall 1970s Room Divider with Desk, Birch, Walnut & Formica

By Stewart MacDougall

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautifully conceived room divider with integrated desk from the 1970s, designed by Stewart MacDougall. Crafted in a harmonious blend of birch, warm walnut, vibrant Formica, and sl...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Metal

Baker Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Secretary Desk

$3,295

H 88.75 in W 46.63 in D 21.25 in

Baker Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Secretary Desk

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved walnut, with original brass har...

Category

1980s American Louis XV Vintage Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century American Mahogany Butler's Desk/Secretary Chest

$3,620

H 44 in W 43 in D 21.25 in

Early 19th Century American Mahogany Butler's Desk/Secretary Chest

Located in Louisville, KY

Imagine where this gorgeous piece might have been in its past life. Perhaps stately mansions with warm block panel, high ceilings and crown molding for days. The wealthy would have h...

Category

Early 19th Century American American Empire Antique Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Eastlake Walnut & Burl Cylinder Secretary Desk c1890

$2,760Sale Price|20% Off

H 84.25 in W 38.75 in D 21.5 in

Antique Victorian Eastlake Walnut & Burl Cylinder Secretary Desk c1890

Located in Big Flats, NY

***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Victorian Eastlake Walnut & Burl Cylinder Secretary Desk c1890. 84 1/4" x 38 5/8" x 21 1/...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Federal Butlers Desk

$1,400

H 48.75 in W 47 in D 20.5 in

Federal Butlers Desk

Located in Bradenton, FL

Very attractive Mahogany southern Federal Butlers Desk probably mid Atlantic states around 1820-30. Large bottle drawers on either side of a nicely fi...

Category

Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Mahogany

American Federal Mahogany & Satinwood Butler's Desk with Paw Feet. NY, C. 1810

$18,500

H 49 in W 47 in D 22.75 in

American Federal Mahogany & Satinwood Butler's Desk with Paw Feet. NY, C. 1810

Located in Charleston, SC

American Federal mahogany butler's desk with a carved molded edge, three upper drawers with original brass knobs, sliding fall front interior desk with Satinwood drawers and pigeon h...

Category

1810s American Federal Antique Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique Eastlake Victorian Walnut Secretary Desk C1880

$1,320Sale Price|20% Off

H 83.5 in W 43 in D 21.25 in

Antique Eastlake Victorian Walnut Secretary Desk C1880

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Eastlake Victorian Walnut Secretary Desk C1880 Measures - 83 1/2" x 43" x 21 1/4" An Eastlake Victorian secretary desk from circa 18...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Walnut

Antique Renaissance Revival Walnut & Burl Secretary Desk C1880

$3,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 88.25 in W 45.75 in D 23.25 in

Antique Renaissance Revival Walnut & Burl Secretary Desk C1880

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Renaissance Revival Walnut & Burl Secretary Desk Unsigned C1880 Measures - 88 1/4" x 45 3/4" x 23 1/4" A striking example of Renaissance Revival design, this walnut and burl...

Category

Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Antique Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Walnut

Axel Larsson Designed Bodafors Desk Cabinet Stunning

$15,660

H 41.75 in W 41 in D 15.75 in

Axel Larsson Designed Bodafors Desk Cabinet Stunning

By Axel Larsson, SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors

Located in New York, NY

This Swedish Modern cabinet was designed by Axel Larsson (1898-1975). It has a drop-down writing flap and has a lock and key (key included). The cabinet has birch & oak wood, and...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Birch, Oak

1800s American Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk

$8,995

H 44 in W 45.75 in D 21 in

1800s American Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk

Located in Germantown, MD

An early 19th Century Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk recently refinished. Measure 45.75" in width, 21" in depth and 44" in height.

Category

Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Desk in Walnut, White Laminate with Black Steel Frame by Vista of California

$3,450

H 30 in W 57 in D 17.5 in

Desk in Walnut, White Laminate with Black Steel Frame by Vista of California

By Vista of California

Located in Kansas City, MO

Vista of California desk, perfect for a student or home office. The walnut case, white laminate top and black lacquered steel frame are all in very good condition. The entire desk is...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Steel

American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular Unit

$3,360Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 47 in W 72 in D 18.5 in

American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular Unit

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Mid-Century Modern walnut low bench with modular desk and drawer cabinet designed by Merton Gerhsun for American of Martinsville's Dania line circa 60...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brian Holcombe Desks

Materials

Brass

Brian Holcombe desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Brian Holcombe desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Brian Holcombe desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Venfield, and Leighton Hall Furniture. Prices for Brian Holcombe desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $25,000 and can go as high as $25,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $25,000.