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 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
Bruce Talbert probably for Gillows, Pair of Walnut Dining Chairs, 1880
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert A pair of English Aesthetic Movement Walnut dining chairs with gilded highlights, the backs with a subtle curvature (making them very comfortable). With feather carved ...
Walnut, Giltwood, Upholstery
$16,500 / set
H 31.3 in W 18.51 in D 19.69 in
Silvio Coppola for Bernini Set of Twelve Dining Chairs in Walnut
By Silvio Coppola, Bernini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Silvio Coppola for Bernini, set of twelve dining chairs, model '330', leather, walnut, Italy, 1969 Wonderful set of dining chairs in black leather upholstery and walnut wood by Ital...
Leather, Walnut
$2,360 / 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
$15,342 / 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 Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & C
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
$9,500 / set
H 38.25 in W 24.5 in D 19.5 in
Set of Eight Waring And Gillow George III Style Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Each very sturdy and wonderful generous scale with serpentine carved crestrail over a pierced splat with carving and drop in upholstered seat raised on cabriole legs with ball and cl...
Other
$9,700 / set
H 41.75 in W 21.5 in D 20.5 in
Set of 10 Antique French Carved Walnut Dining Chairs, Circa 1880's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of 10 Antique French Finely Carved Walnut Dining Chairs in Red Silk Upholstery with Grommet Detail, Circa 1880's.
Silk, 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
$1,600 / set
H 19.3 in W 23.63 in D 18.9 in
Arne Vodder for Sibast Pair of Dining Chairs in Walnut and Grey Upholstery
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler, pair of dining chairs model '418', walnut, fabric, Denmark, 1960s This model has a characteristic, sculptural frame executed in warm walnut. The sligh...
Fabric, Walnut
$11,211 / set
H 34.25 in W 19 in D 21 in
A Rare 19th Century Set of Twelve Dining Chairs Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare 19th Century set of twelve well figured mahogany dining chairs attributed to 'Gillows'. This superb set of chairs are of exceptional quality, finely hand carved with bea...
Fabric, Mahogany
$5,303 / 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
$3,595
H 32.5 in W 22.25 in D 20 in
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 18.25 wide x 20 deep x 32.5 high, with a seat height of 18 inches Each captains...
Upholstery, Walnut
$4,500 / set
H 34.5 in W 21.5 in D 24 in
Set of 6 T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Sabre Walnut Dining Chairs, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Set of Six T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture Company Solid Black Walnut Upholstered 4 Arm and 4 Side Dining Chairs. Featuring curved and contoured ergonomic spindle type...
Fabric, Walnut
Walnut Dining Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural and finely detailed armchair in walnut having a floating seat and back cushions, retaining the original black leather upholstery.
Teak
Sold
H 33 in W 17 in D 18 in
Bruce Talbert. Gillows, Four Aesthetic Movement Ebonised & Gilt Dining Chairs
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
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 Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
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 Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
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 Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
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 Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
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