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 Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows. An Aesthetic Movement Rosewood armchair with a pink button back upholstered back and seat.
Rosewood
$2,632 / 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
$3,836
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
$2,227
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
Moooi Hortensia Armchair in Petal Pink Upholstery
By Andrés Reisinger, Moooi
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
$3,750
H 35.5 in W 18.5 in D 16 in
English 1880s Aesthetic Movement Carved Oak Chair with Zebra Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
This English Aesthetic Movement accent chair from the 1880s is a stunning example of craftsmanship and decorative detail. Made of bleached oak, this chair highlights intricate carvin...
Zebra Hide, 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
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.89 in W 23.63 in D 19.3 in
Gothic Revival Wooden Armchairs, Pine & Oak, 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gothic Revival; pine; wood; chairs; oak; 20th century; armchairs; dining chairs; dining room; england; folding seats; folding chairs; A set of six Gothic Revival armchairs, ideal ...
Wood, Oak, Pine
$9,850Sale Price|46% Off
H 50.75 in W 28 in D 30 in
French 19th Century Napoleon III Egyptian Revival Bronze Mounted Throne Armchair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and impressive French 19th century Napoleon III Egyptian revival mahogany and bronze-mounted throne armchair with bronze figures of winged sphinxes, circa 1870-1880. Measu...
Bronze
$13,498
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
Fine French 1940s Oak Armchair
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Mid-Century oak desk/bridge armchair.
Fabric, Oak