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
$3,895
H 43 in W 43.5 in D 20 in
Mid Century Scandinavian Rosewood Bar Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1970 Scandinavian bar cabinet in dramatically figured rosewood veneer features two sliding glass doors on the top section over three felt lined drawers on one side and a storage compartment with internal shelf on the other. Tapered legs. Unknown maker. Very good overall vintage condition. Open Shelf Sections...
Glass, Rosewood
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
$2,090Sale Price|25% 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
$4,365 / 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
$10,383
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
$9,800Sale Price|30% Off
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
$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
$4,365 / 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
$5,308Sale Price|30% Off
H 49.22 in W 74.81 in D 19.69 in
Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany and Walnut Bar Cabinet, 1950s
By Consorzio Esposizione Mobili Cantù
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Superb bar cabinet designed by the famous architect Paolo Buffa, in walnut, mahogany and brass finishes, the inside of the cabinet is covered with decorated mirror squares, the top o...
Brass
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
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
$8,750
H 56.7 in W 68.9 in D 18.51 in
Elegant Italian Midcentury Bar Cabinet in the Style of Paolo Buffa, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing Italian Sideboard Bar Cabinet with four drawers and brass handles and sabots. Very good original vintage condition.
Wood