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.
Bar Cart in Cherry with Brass Casters and Shoji Sliding Doors
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Blending my influence of sashimono craftsmen and that of finely finished and carefully machined brass hardware to create a bar cart which is built using traditional handmade wood joi...
Cherry
$10,097
H 35.44 in W 98.43 in D 19.69 in
Italian Art Deco Sideboard with Bar Cabinet Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Osvaldo Borsani designed this beautiful Italian sideboard in the 1940s. With its unique design and excellent manufacturing quality, the sideboard stands out from the crowd. The gl...
Brass
$27,800
H 35.25 in W 62 in D 20 in
Tommi Parzinger Bar Cabinet Lacquered in White Chocolate with Polished Brass
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Glamorous Hollywood Regency Bar Cabinet attributed to Tommi Parzinger newly lacquered in white chocolate with polished original adorning brass hardware. Fully restored from top to bo...
Brass
$1,885Sale Price|32% Off
H 65 in W 85.5 in D 16.5 in
Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinet / Bar Credenza with Drop-Down Door
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage cabinet, likely Italian and dating to the 1960s–1970s, features a clean Mid-Century Modern design with a functional, multi-purpose layout ideal for use as a bar cabinet,...
Glass, Formica, Wood
$10,778
H 45.48 in W 47.25 in D 17.92 in
Bar Cabinet with Tambour Doors in Rosewood and Brass by Kurt Østervig, 1960's
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bar Cabinet with Tambour Doors in Rosewood, Brass and Glass by Kurt Østervig, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood, brass and glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Pro...
Rosewood
$4,245 / item
H 51.58 in W 48.04 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Inspired Bar Cabinet Jazz in Lacquered Wood and Polished Brass
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jazz bar cabinet is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in polished or matte lacquered wood structure and feet, brass applications and lacquered doors. It featur...
Brass
Paul Evans Cityscape Bar Cart in Brass
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
From the PE-200 Series for Directional. We have expertly restored this cabinet to its full beauty. The cabinet boast a hinged door on top that opens to hold bar ware. There are two s...
Brass
$9,850
H 36 in W 60 in D 19 in
Art Deco Light Up Bar Cabinet-Sideboard In The Style of Parzinger C.1940's
Located in Bernville, PA
Incredible Art Deco Light Up Bar Cabinet or Sideboard in ebony. Very simple and minimalist cabinet. The best element of this cabinet has to be the flip up...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
$4,245 / item
H 51.58 in W 48.04 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Inspired Walnut Wood, Ivory Lacquer, Brass Handles Bar Cabinet Jazz
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jazz bar cabinet is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in polished or matte wood veneer structure and feet, brass applications and lacquered doors. It features ...
Brass
Danish Modern Teak Sliding Door Bar Cart
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a very cool Danish modern teak bar cart. Features two sliding doors on top and bottom with compartments. It is also on wheels. Great for storage, serving drin...
Teak
$3,496Sale Price|41% Off
H 36 in W 72 in D 21.63 in
Lighted Custom Made Modern Cherry Buffet Dry Bar With Wine Rack and Bar Cart
By Foster-McDavid, Arne Vodder, Jens Risom, Brown Saltman
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Please believe me when I say pictures don't this piece justice. The cherry wood shimmers and gleams with an almost indescribable Iridescence that looks like rivers of honey that form the ebbing and flowing grain. The tones and hues of the piece change depending on how the light hits it and where your eye catches it. You'll see amber, ochre, honey, and umber. We purchased this cabinet from the son of the original owners who had it custom made in the 1970's. Although it looks similar to the works to Jens Risom, Arne Vodder, and Brown-Saltman, this is a custom, made 1 of 1 credenza. There are many unique aspects to this piece that seem inspired by many designers of the period. A large cherry door on the left conceals open cabinet space with removable / adjustable shelves. The right has a faux-door panel that is made to resemble the one on the left. However, this faux-door is actually the front panel to a roll-out bar cart. This handsome server sports two drop-leaves that double its counter space. This mini buffet...
Mahogany
Midcentury Italian Brass Bar Cart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Midcentury Italian brass bar cart, Italy, circa 1950s. Features a removable serving cart. Retains warm original patina.
Metal, Brass
$5,444
H 56.3 in W 72.84 in D 19.69 in
Attributed Gio Ponti Mid-Century Italian Mahogany and Brass Bar Cabinet, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Superb bar cabinet attributed to Gio Ponti, in mahogany and maple and brass inlays, the central glass has a mirror around it and a central engraving, which represents infinity, a typ...
Brass
Vintage Brass Two Tiered Bar Cart
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage Mid Century Brass Two Tiered Bar Cart. The cart has been completely restored and newly polished. With a sleek design and the striking contrast between the black glass shelves...
Brass
$4,250 / item
H 53.15 in W 49.22 in D 17.72 in
Bar Cabinet Go in Natural Walnut Wood and Lacquered Ivory Details
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Go bar cabinet is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in wood veneer structure, lacquered doors and plywood veneer applications. It features three dimensional de...
Wood, Plywood
$5,332
H 42.52 in W 63.78 in D 15.75 in
Art Deco Ash Wood and Brass Keys Austrian Dry Bar Credenzas Sideboard, 1920
Located in Roma, Lazio
Very special Austrian sideboards with a very rich and rigid taste. Note the patina of the briar ashwood, and the particular manual processing of the central door. All veneered in as...
Brass