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 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...
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
$15,548 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa English Red Leather Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 6
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of six “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973. Made of English red leather and walnut. Fully restored in Italy. Interesting is the ‘flat’ sha...
Leather, Walnut
$25,117 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa English Red Leather Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 10
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of ten “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973. Made of English red leather and walnut. Fully restored in Italy. Interesting is the ‘flat’ sha...
Leather, Walnut
$5,332 / 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
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
$1,794 / 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
$2,392 / 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
$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
English Aesthetic Movement Chair by Lamb of Manchester
By Lamb of Manchester
Located in London, GB
An aesthetic movement chair By Lamb of Manchester designed by W.J. Estall Of unique elegance and design, the black ebonised chair fashioned in the...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique English Aesthetic Movement Caned Side Chair C.1880
Located in London, GB
Antique English Aesthetic Movement Caned Side Chair C.1880 In very good condition commensurate of age. Please message for a shipping quote
Satinwood
Set of 6 French Art Deco Lime Oak Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French 1930s cerused oak dining chairs.
Oak
$52,628 / set
H 34.26 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Set of Eighteen Red Walnut Dining Chairs Attributed to Gillows, circa 1830
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A set of eighteen red walnut dining chairs attributed to Gillows. English, circa 1830. Each chair has a waisted balloon back, with incised foliage and panelled horizontal spla...
Walnut
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
Sold
H 37 in W 18 in D 18 in
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...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 32.5 in W 16.5 in D 17.5 in
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...
Walnut
Sold
H 34.5 in W 19 in D 20 in
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...
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.
Walnut
Sold
H 33 in W 17 in D 17 in
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...
Walnut
Sold
H 33 in W 18 in D 18 in
Bruce Talbert. Gillows, Four Aesthetic Movement Ebonised & Leather Dining Chairs
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) probably for Gillow and Co. Four Aesthetic Movement ebonised dining chairs with an upholstered back panel and seat on ...
Walnut