Bruce James Talbert Furniture
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.
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Mahogany
1860s English Victorian Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Leather, Maple, Satinwood, Walnut, Burl
1880s Victorian Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Walnut
19th Century English Regency Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Leather, Wood
1870s German Louis Philippe Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Walnut
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Mahogany
1860s British Victorian Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Walnut
19th Century English Moorish Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Walnut
19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Mahogany
1890s Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Leather, Birdseye Maple, Maple
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Wood
1870s European Victorian Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Bruce James Talbert Furniture
Mahogany