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.
$1,800 / item
Standing Shelves in Quartersawn Ebonized Oak
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
These standing shelves are created utilizing traditional interlocking joinery to form a lightweight, strong and durable structure. Offsets are planned...
Oak
Scandinavian Shelf 'Poeme', Black Oak
By Poiat
Located in Paris, IDF
Shelf 'Poeme' designed by Timo Mikkonen & Antti Rouhunkoski for Poiat Studio Dimensions : W. 181 x H. 39 x D. 37.5 cm Model shown : - Color black oak ---- Graceful and poetic, yet robust, the Poeme Shelf comes in four different sizes, offering a flexible solution for diverse display and storage needs, including, for example, as a bookshelf, a TV stand or simply a frame for beautiful objects. Featuring a modular and minimal design, the Poeme Shelves...
Oak
$3,895
H 44.5 in W 43.25 in D 19.25 in
English Console Standing Shelves of Mahogany with Bobbin Turned Supports
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English rectangular standing shelf console of mahogany from the Edwardian era, featuring three tiers or shelves and four bobbin turned supports. Would make a great bookcase f...
Mahogany, Wood
Scandinavian Shelf 'Poeme', Natural Oak, 74 cm
By Poiat
Located in Paris, IDF
Shelf 'Poeme' designed by Timo Mikkonen & Antti Rouhunkoski for Poiat Studio Dimensions : W. 181 x H. 74 x D. 37.5 cm Model shown : - Natural oak ---- Graceful and poetic, ...
Oak
$486Sale Price|29% Off
H 33.47 in W 25.6 in D 11.42 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Sought after Freestanding Tomado Rack, 3 teak shelves
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
Sought after freestanding Tomado rack in very good vintage condition, this rack comes with two black metal laddders and three wooden (teak) shelves . A real rarity and very collectab...
Metal
Shabby Gray Hardwood Standing Shelves w Two Lower Drawers
Located in Malibu, CA
Handmade, with original paint, sturdy little opened shelf. There are two small drawers below. Sits on ball feet. Chippy paint. The piece has been reinforced in the back with steel pl...
Pine
$20,441 / item
H 33.47 in W 63 in D 17.72 in
Contemporary Sculpted Sideboard in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary sculpted sideboard in solid oak and linseed oil. Dimensions: H. 85 x W. 160. x D. 45 cm Unique piece made to order. Founded ...
Oak
$4,048Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.6 in W 54.93 in D 11.82 in
21st Century Chiostro Console in Lacquered Wood with Inlaid Top, Made in Italy
By Hebanon Fratelli Basile
Located in Nocera Superiore, Campania
Chiostro is a tribute to Italy's immense architectural heritage. The design is a hybrid of classic and contemporary, and is characterised by rigorous lines embellished by an inlay th...
Wood, Ash, Kingwood
Antique French Provincial Carved Oak Shelves
Located in New Orleans, LA
A handsome pair of carved oak shelves to hang on the wall.
Oak
$8,902 / item
H 42.92 in W 78.75 in D 13.78 in
Customizable ClassiCon Paris 4 Shelves in Walnut by E. Barber & J. Osgerby
Located in New York, NY
Furnishing is a creative game of possibilities. The shelving unit Paris by the London design team of Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby offers plenty of scope to indulge the urge to play....
Steel
Handsome 3 Tier Hanging or Free Standing Etagere Shelves
By Global Views
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome 3 tier book shelf or etagere that is freestanding or can be wall hung, having mahogany shelves and gilt iron frame with circular emblem at the top and tassel feet. Very narr...
Iron
$5,704 / item
H 29.93 in W 78.75 in D 13.78 in
ClassiCon Paris 3 Shelves in Black by E. Barber & J. Osgerby
Located in New York, NY
Furnishing is a creative game of possibilities. The shelving unit Paris by the London design team of Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby offers plenty of Scope to indulge the urge to play....
Steel
$9,776 / item
H 29.93 in W 68.9 in D 15.75 in
Tetra, Solid Walnut Contemporary Modular Shelving Units, Made in Ratio
By Brodie Neill, Made in Ratio
Located in London, GB
The contemporary Tetra shelving system is made from solid European white oak or solid European walnut. The modular trapezoid cell can be used as a s...
Oak, Walnut