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Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Scottish, 1838-1881

Bruce James Talbert was one of the most noteworthy furniture designers of the 19th century. The Scottish architect, draftsman and designer created stunning pieces of Gothic furniture and his landmark book, Gothic Forms Applied To Furniture, Metalwork and Decoration For Domestic Purposes, was influential on the Gothic Revival movement both in Europe and North America.

Born in 1838, Talbert started his career as an apprentice to a woodcarver in Dundee, Scotland. When he was 18 years old, he was briefly employed by the architect Charles Edward. He subsequently had several successful partnerships with design firms and manufacturers.

In 1862, Talbert moved to Manchester, England, where he was hired to design furniture for Doveston, Bird & Hull. Later that year, British metalworker Francis Skidmore hired him to his company, Art Manufacturers. During his time with the company, Talbert worked on Sir George Gilbert Scott’s Hereford Screen, a major Gothic Revival iron design, and the Albert Memorial. In 1866, Holland & Sons furniture manufacturer in London hired Talbert. He won the silver medal at the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris and, in 1868, he became the lead designer for Gillows of Lancaster and London. There, Talbert expanded his line of work, exploring different media and producing beautiful tiles, stained glass, textiles and metalwork.

Talbert influenced the Gothic Revival style with his detailed furniture designs, recognizable for their gold and wood mosaic inlays. His many publications on woodworking and cabinetmaking further guided the American industry, including the work of furniture designers Herter Brothers, Kimbel and Cabus, Frank Furness and Daniel Pabst.

On 1stDibs, find Bruce James Talbert case pieces and storage cabinets, seating, tables and more.

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Creator: Bruce James Talbert
Bruce Talbert, for Gillows an Aesthetic Movement Ebonized & Parcel-Gilt Settee
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert, for Gillows of Lancaster and London. A very good quality English Aesthetic Movement ebonized and parcel-gilt upholstered settee with a rollover back and arms with in...
Category

1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Gold

Bruce Talbert for Gillow. A Walnut, Amboyna, Ebonized and Gilt Bedroom Suite.
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and co., a rare and important walnut, amboyna, ebonized, and gilt bedroom suite, each with differing carved rosettes, comprising: a triple mirror door wardrobe, 208cm high, 208cm wide, 58cm deep; a pair of bedside lockers, 85cm high, 38cm wide; and a pair of single bedsteads, 124cm wide Provenance: The famous Argentinian writer and suffragette Victoria Ocampo (1890-1979), bought from her estate and shipped back from Argentina. Bruce James Talbert originally trained as a carver and then an architect, and he became an influential and very successful furniture designer. He served an apprenticeship in Dundee and had his own carving business for two years where he learned the skills to apply carved details to furniture and then joined the architectural offices of Charles Edward. In 1856 he moved to Glasgow and worked for the architects W. N. Tait and Campbell Douglas. He moved to Manchester in the early 1860s, where he gained employment with the cabinetmakers Doveston, Bird, and Hull, which was short-lived, then moved to Coventry gaining work with Skidmore's Art Manufactures. In 1863 he won the competition to design the masthead for 'The Building News and in the mid-1860s moved to London, where he started designing furniture for Holland and Sons. His 'Pericles' Gothic sideboard was displayed on their stand at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 where it was the Grand Prix winner. It was at this point that his most prolific period began and also when he started designing furniture for Gillows of Lancaster in 1868. in the same year, he published his very influential first book 'Gothic Forms Applied to Furniture, Metal Work and Decoration for Domestic Purposes', which he dedicated to George Edmund Street. This was followed in 1876 by 'Examples of Ancient and Modern Furniture, Metalwork, Tapestries and Modern Furniture' and in 1881 by 'Fashionable Furniture. Other companies he designed for were Marsh, Jones and Cribb, Jackson and Graham, and for a short time, was a partner with Daniel Cottier. He designed textiles for Templeton's, Warner's, Cowlishaw, and Barbour and Miller; carpet designs for Templeton's and Brinton and Co.; and his wallpaper designs were printed by Jeffrey and Co. He also designed church metalwork and furniture for Cox and Sons...
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1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. An Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair with ebonized dot details and chip carved details to the fra...
Category

1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Oak

Bruce Talbert for Gillow and Co. A Gothic Revival Oak and Leather Writing Table
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and Co., an oak two-drawer writing table, with a later red leather top, stamped mark, no. L9534.
Category

Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Oak

Bruce Talbert, Gillows, Two Rare Gothic Revival Oak Armchair in Blue Upholstery.
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. Gillows of Lancaster. Two rare Gothic Revival armchairs. *The two with dark and light blue upholstery shown here are available, the one with brown upholstery is now s...
Category

1860s English Gothic Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Oak

Bruce Talbert, for Gillows Set of 6 English Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Chairs
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. Made by Gillows of Lancaster and London. A good quality set of six oak dining chairs with an upper and lower row of turnings and carved details above. As you can see...
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1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Oak

Bruce Talbert for Gillows attri, A Fine Aesthetic Movement Oak & Glazed Cabinet
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed to Gillows. A rare Aesthetic Movement oak cabinet with parcel-gilt carving to the demilune doors depicting vine grapes and a butterfly to the right, and the...
Category

Late 19th Century British Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Oak

B J Talbert Aesthetic Movement Carved & Gilt Wall Shelf with Mythical Creatures.
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce J Talbert, probably made by Gillows. A rare Aesthetic Movement carved and gilt wall shelf with carved florets to the top center with gilt decorat...
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Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Bruce Talbert for Gillow & Co, . Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Nursing Chair
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and Co., an Aesthetic Movement ebonized nursing chair, with a lobed top rail, a button upholstered crushed velvet in...
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Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Bruce Talbert Gillows, Aesthetic Movement rosewood armchair with pink upholstery
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement Rosewood armchair with a pink button back upholstered back and seat.
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1870s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

B Talbert for Gillows Aesthetic Movement Davenport with Central Carved Rosette
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce J Talbert for Gillows of Lancaster. An Aesthetic Movement Davenport with a brass gallery to the back and an inkwell and pen compartment below, a...
Category

Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Bruce Talbert, a Gothic Revival Tall Back Oak Chair with the Original Upholstery
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. Gillows. A rare and important Gothic Revival tall back oak chair with the original distressed leather seat and back rest. The last image is published in Bruce Talbert...
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1870s English Gothic Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Oak

Bruce Talbert. Gillows & Co a Rare Aesthetic Movement Walnut Chest of Drawers
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. Gillows & Co a rare Aesthetic Movement walnut chest of drawers with a turned gallery to the top, with gilded highlighted details throughout. A good chest with original...
Category

1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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19th Century English Victorian Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

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Previously Available Items
Bruce Talbert. Gillows, Four Aesthetic Movement Ebonised & Gilt Dining Chairs
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillows of Lancaster and London. Four Aesthetic Movement ebonized and parcel-gilt dining chairs with a subtle curved upholstered back panel flanked by ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Bruce Talbert Gillows, Set of Eight English Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Chairs
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows of Lancaster and London. A set of eight English Aesthetic Movement oak dining chairs. A good quality set of eight oak dining chairs with an upper and lowe...
Category

19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Oak

Bruce Talbert for Gillows. Aesthetic Movement Exhibition Quality Oak Sideboard.
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. for Gillows of Lancaster. An outstanding Aesthetic Movement exhibition quality oak and Burr oak sideboard with double horizontal dentil cornice, the central original b...
Category

1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Oak, Boxwood

Bruce Talbert for Gillows & Co., a Rare Gothic Revival Walnut Side or Desk Chair
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. A rare Gothic Revival dining, desk or side chair. The design for this chair can be seen in Talberts book 'Gothic Forms Applied to Furniture, Metal W...
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1860s English Gothic Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Bruce Talbert an Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Plant Stand with Inset Minton Tile
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. An Aesthetic movement ebonized plant stand, with turned details and gilt highlights, inset with a hand-painted Minton pottery tile decorated with Cherry Blossom and if...
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1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

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Ceramic, Walnut

Bruce Talbert Gillows, Harlequin Set of Eight Aesthetic Movement Dining Chairs
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert Gillows A harlequin set of eight Aesthetic Movement dining chairs. There are a matched set of six one shown on the left with button upholstery and an almost identical...
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19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Bruce Talbert for Gillows A Pair of Aesthetic Movement Walnut Dining Chairs
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
A good pair of Aesthetic movement walnut dining chairs designed by Bruce Talbert and probably made by Gillows of Lancaster. This pair has a nice contrast with ebonized spindles to th...
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19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Side Chair Designed by Bruce Talbert
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
An Aesthetic movement side or bedroom chair designed by Bruce Talbert and probably made by Gillows. Fully restored and professionally re-upholstered in a quality hide.
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19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Bruce Talbert, for Gillows. Set of 10 Aesthetic Movement Walnut Dining Chairs
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. A good quality Harlequin set of ten walnut dining chairs consisting of a matched set of six and a matched set of four. M...
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1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

A Gothic Revival Carved Oak Glazed Music Cabinet, designed by B Talbert
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881), a Gothic Revival oak and glazed music cabinet, carved florets with upper section and drop down door and large cupboard below , probably made by Gillow and Co...
Category

Late 19th Century Gothic Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Oak

Gillows attr, An Aesthetic Movement Three-Fold Screen with Birds Amongst Blossom
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert in the style of and probably made by Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement Walnut three-fold screen with carved serpentine and palm leaf decoration to the tops and tramline d...
Category

Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Gothic Revival Oak Cabinet by B Talbert
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert, probably made by Gillows of Lancaster. A Gothic revival oak cabinet with carved florets to the front and the sides a down upper door and a lower glazed door. The lower...
Category

Late 19th Century Gothic Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture

Materials

Oak

Bruce James Talbert furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Bruce James Talbert furniture 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 Bruce James Talbert furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Bruce James Talbert were created in the Arts and Crafts style in united kingdom during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Morris & Co., Collinson & Lock, and William Watt. Prices for Bruce James Talbert furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,274 and can go as high as $31,182, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,607.

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