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 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...
Walnut
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...
Oak
Bruce Talbert, for Gillows Set of 6 English Aesthetic Movement Oak Dining Chairs
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
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...
Oak
Set of 6 Brutalist Oak Raw Spanish Dining Chairs
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Gorgeous oak chairs with the original leather seat and oak frame. Clear pin hole connections give the chairs a nice robust look. The stools are in a good condition with some visibl...
Leather, Oak
$3,850
H 34 in W 25.75 in D 22 in
George Nelson Desk or Office Chair, Very Rare, New Red Boucle Knoll Upholstery
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare George Nelson desk chair, freshly reupholstered in a crimson Knoll Classic boucle.
Aluminum
$3,719 / set
H 34.06 in W 16.15 in D 17.72 in
Six Original Victorian circa 1890 Steeple Back Gothic Arch Oak Dining Chairs 6
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of six original Gothic revival English oak Victorian dining chairs circa 1890 A very decorative and well made set, each chair ...
Oak
$2,344 / set
H 42.92 in W 18.9 in D 20.87 in
Set of 4 Brutalist Mid-Century Oak Dining Room Chairs, 70's
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
These chairs have a unique and distinct design characteristic of the 1970s. They are crafted from oak,and are durable and robust build. The choice of bouclé fabric for reupholstery a...
Oak, Fabric
$1,499
H 32 in W 23.25 in D 25 in
Mid-Century Modern Swivel Desk Chair by Andrew Morrison & Bruce Hannah for Knoll
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Lafayette, IN
Arguably one of the most elegant desk chair designs from the mid-century era, this Morrison/Hannah design for Knoll Studios is utilitarian sculpture at its best. Chair features a cur...
Aluminum, Chrome
$3,800
H 33 in W 16 in D 18 in
George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895
By George Hunzinger
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George J. Hunzinger American Aesthetic Movement Side Chair, Circa 1880–1895 Dimensions: 33" H × 16" W × 18" D Seat Height: 16" This rare and sculpturally articulated American side ...
Walnut, Leather
$12,000 / set
H 32.5 in W 17.5 in D 18 in
Guillerme & Chambron Set of Ten Dining Chairs in Cerused Oak
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Miami, FL
Guillerme & Chambron set of ten Cerused oak dining room chairs, Edition Votre Maison France circa 1960 Oak shows a nice cerused warm overall patina. Newly upholstered with a charteus...
Upholstery, Oak
$1,758 / set
H 35.83 in W 18.51 in D 19.69 in
Set of 4 Dutch Brutalist Style Oak Ladder Back Dining Chairs
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Introducing the Perfect Addition to Your Brutalist Interior: Set of 4 Dutch Oak Ladder Back Dining Chairs Step into the captivating world...
Oak
Antique Oak Chair with Gothic and Religious Carvings, 1890s
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
A stunning antique oak chair adorned with intricate Gothic and religious carvings, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship and historical character. The old upholstery is aged with light...
Oak
Set of 6 Fine French Art Deco Oak Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of six French Art Deco stained oak dining chairs.
Fabric, Oak
$5,223 / set
H 35.44 in W 18.12 in D 18.9 in
Unique Set of Four Walnut Framed Dining Chairs by Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Crawley, GB
For sale a set of four Victorian walnut framed dining chairs by Gillow of Lancaster , raised on fluted tapering legs , bearing stamped maker s marks to seat rails. According to Wikip...
Walnut
Herman Miller High-Back Office Chair
By Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Herman Miller high-back soft pad office chair in black leather, great condition. Stamped with date of manufactured.
Metal
Sold
H 33 in W 17 in D 18 in
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 ...
Walnut
Sold
H 32.5 in W 18 in D 17.5 in
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...
Oak
Gothic Revival Chair by Bruce Talbert
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
A Gothic Revival chair designed by Bruce Talbert. Formed by carved finials and carved floral detail to the head rail flanked by carved diamond rosettes and through pegged constructi...