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.
Trestle Base Dining Table in Quartersawn Walnut by Brian Holcombe
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Dining table in quarter sawn walnut featuring a trestle base, carefully constructed utilizing interlocking joinery and without metal hardware or screws. The construction of this tabl...
Walnut
$8,200 / item
Trestle Leg Dining Table in Oiled Walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This handmade heavy slab trestle leg dining table features elements unique to traditional Japanese timber framing carpentry work making this a subtle and very sturdy dining table. Th...
Ash, Walnut
$10,500 / item
Trestle Leg Dining Table in Oiled Ash
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This handmade heavy slab trestle leg dining table features elements unique to traditional Japanese timber framing carpentry work making this a subtle and ...
Ash
$9,500 / item
Splayed Leg Dining Table in walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This dining table takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese bell tower in its use of a splayed leg structure that appears to feature square section le...
Walnut
$10,500 / item
Live Edge Trestle Leg Dining Table in Oiled Maple
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This handmade heavy slab trestle leg dining table features elements unique to traditional Japanese timber framing carpentry work making this a subtle and very sturdy dining table...
Maple
$9,000 / item
Splayed Leg Dining Table in Quartersawn Walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This dining table takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese bell tower in its use of a splayed leg structure that appears to feature square section le...
Walnut
$9,000 / item
Splayed Leg Dining Table in Quartersawn Walnut
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This dining table takes inspiration from the traditional Japanese bell tower in its use of a splayed leg structure that appears to feature square section le...
Walnut
Hana Walnut Trestle Dining Table
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Hana Trestle Dining table is our take on the classic trestle form, beloved by both the shakers and their distant woodworking cousins, the Jap...
Walnut
Italian Mid-Century Dining Table in Ash
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, ash, Italy, 1960s This Italian dining table from the 1960s is a beautiful example of mid-century modern design, where strength and simplicity come together in perfect ...
Ash
Italian Walnut Trestle Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Wonderful early 20th century Italian walnut trestle table with a 2-inch thick top, carved trestle ends and a very good colour. 1920. Code: 8909 Dimensions: W: 118" (299.7 cm) H: 3...
Walnut
Antique Spanish Renaissance Revival Walnut Trestle Dining Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Late 19th century Spanish Renaissance Revival walnut trestle table, sourced in Provence, France. The rectangular top is crafted from solid walnut with a rich warm finish, its surface...
Walnut
Fine Pieced Burl Top Dining/ Work Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A beautifully constructed table with an artistically conceived piece-work top in deep toned Burl Wood veneers. The top is plank-constructed in different dark wood grains of different...
Wood
Industrial Swing-Out-Seat Outdoor Dining Table
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
The get back outdoor industrial dining table. Taking our swing out seats a step beyond their usual bar and kitchen counter duties, Tim Byrne, founder of...
Steel, Iron
$7,800
H 30 in W 98.5 in D 35.5 in
Country English Provincial Walnut Farmhouse Trestle Dining Table 8 Ft.
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Massive rustic country English provincial style farmhouse dining table or harvest table measuring over 8 feet long. The table features a 2.5 inch thick plank top with breadboard ends...
Brass, Iron
Claro Walnut Single Slab Live Edge Dining Table, in Stock
By Möbius Objects
Located in Calgary, AB
A huge single slab of museum grade California Claro walnut set atop oversized steel wishbone legs. Handcrafted from one of our "unicorn" slabs the tab...
Steel
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Work or Dining Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish work or dining table in folk art from the early 19th century, around 1820. The table is a Swedish antique, genuine and honest with a solid frame and simple design. The propor...
Pine
19th Century Pine Lancashire Mill Dining Table
Located in Staffordshire, GB
19th century pine Lancashire Mill table Original finish in reclaimed condition with great color, wear & patination. Fantastic proportions with elegant narrow legs and stretcher ...
Pine
Antique Italian Walnut Drop Leaf Dining Table, Trestle Base, 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Italian small oval dining table with hand waxed finish. This Tuscan table is made of hand crafted Walnut and supported by a substant...
Walnut
Olavi Hanninen - Dining Table - Elm - Live Edge - 1950
By Olavi Hanninen, Mikko Nupponen
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Gorgeous live edge elm dining table with trestle and wood pegs. Lightly refinished with an impressive grain. A unique blend of Rustic and Brutalist Moder...
Elm