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.
Bruce Talbert, Gillows, Two Rare Gothic Revival Oak Armchair in Blue Upholstery.
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
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...
Oak
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.
Rosewood
$2,690 / set
H 36.23 in W 32.09 in D 29.14 in
Lovely Pair of Victorian Boudoir Armchairs with Salmon Pink Velour Upholstery
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of his and hers Boudoir armchairs in pink velour upholstery A good looking decorative pair of period...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$3,942
H 35 in W 24 in D 23.5 in
Rare Antique Gothic Revival Oak Armchair Chair w Female Sculptures in Armrests
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and impressive, Gothic style chair from the late 1800s. This rare and solid oak Gothic Revival church chair has a beautiful patination and it is as stabile as the day it was...
Leather, Oak
$2,250
H 33.25 in W 21.75 in D 22 in
Early Victorian Mahogany Armchair with Tufted Leather Upholstery, England
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An early Victorian armchair in mahogany with curved top rail, scrolled arms, turned front legs and saber back legs. Seat is upholstered in a tufted, beige/camel-colored leather with ...
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th C Gothic Revival Carved Armchair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique 19th C Gothic Revival Carved Armchair. Mahogany tone frame with Neo Gothic design. Hand Carved and Superb Condition Antique Gothic Reviva...
Wood
$2,276
H 50.79 in W 24.81 in D 21.66 in
LOVELY GOTHIC REVIVAL HAND MADE IN ENGLAND OAK THRONE ARMCHAIR WiTH STEEPLE BACK
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Gothic Revival circa 1900 English oak Throne armchair with steeple back Please note...
Oak
Armchairs with Floral Upholstery, France 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Armchairs with floral Upholstery, France 1950s. Midcentury armchairs were manufactured and designed in France 1950s. These armchairs have the ori...
Fabric, Beech
$13,797
H 36.23 in W 26.58 in D 29.53 in
Rare Attributed to Gillows Regency Armchair Hand Dyed Brown Leather Hand-Painted
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning fully restored hand dyed cigar brown leather period Regency mahogany Chesterfield Porters armchair attributed to Gillows ...
Leather
$4,153
H 36.62 in W 27.17 in D 35.44 in
Antique Victorian Green Leather Button Back Armchair Style of Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique Victorian Carved Walnut & Green Leather Button Back Elbow Chair With Brass Tacks In the Style Of Gillows The walnut frame features carved and ebonised details in the 'Aesthe...
Brass
Moooi Hortensia Armchair in Petal Pink Upholstery
By Moooi, Andrés Reisinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Hortensia armchair, by Andrés Reisinger & Júlia Esqué, innovatively replicates the beauty of nature. This blooming beauty is inspired by the bas...
Upholstery
$7,588
H 33.47 in W 27.96 in D 36.23 in
Mid 19th century Gillows open armchair in Colefax and fowler printed linen
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Batley, GB
A superb quality mid 19th century armchair by Gillows of Lancaster. Raised on finely worked walnut turned front legs and arm supports with out splayed chamfered legs to the rear, all...
Walnut
$950Sale Price|20% Off
H 39 in W 23 in D 22.25 in
Late 19th Century English Oak Aesthetic Movement Armchair
By Charles Locke Eastlake
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome late 19th century oak armchair in the Eastlake style, reflecting the broader Aesthetic Movement and early Arts & Crafts sensibilities of the period. Constructed from s...
Fabric, Oak
Antique Victorian Gothic Revival Solid Oak Desk Chair
Located in London, GB
A superb antique Victorian Gothic revival solid oak desk chair, made in England and dating from around the 1870-1880 period. This is of outstanding quality, it is beautifully crafte...
Leather, Oak