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 and Co. Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert for Gillows and Co. An Aesthetic Movement scissor style side chair with ebonized dot details and chip carved details to the fra...
Oak
$1,295 / set
H 33 in W 17.5 in D 19 in
Pair Tell City Chair Co. Duncan Phyfe Mahogany and Vinyl Upholstered Side Chairs
By Tell City Chair Co.
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Tell City Chair Co. Duncan Phyfe Style Mahogany and Raised Vinyl Upholstered Side Chairs. Recently refinished. Seat and back in raised Vi...
Plastic, Mahogany
$1,950 / set
H 36 in W 18 in D 19 in
Pair of Antique English Aesthetic Movement Side Chairs with Upholstered Seats
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
From the English Aesthetic Movement, a pair of finely-crafted side chairs in mahogany with ebonized line inlays. Featuring an exquisite choice of woods with concave high back with th...
Ebony, Mahogany
High-Back Aesthetic Movement Chair
Located in Rümmingen, BW
Shipping Note: If your region or country is not listed under the shipping options, don't hesitate to get in touch with us directly. Important Care Information: When purchasing a ch...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$3,000 / set
H 29.5 in W 21 in D 21 in
1950s Pair of Ray Komai Side / Dining Chairs for JG Furniture Co
By J.G. Furniture Company, Ray Komai
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a rare and original pair of fully upholstered dining and side chairs, designed by Ray Komai, produced by J.G. Furniture Company. These are highly unusual chairs, in that Koma...
Steel
$2,408 / set
H 34.65 in W 17.33 in D 18.12 in
Pair of Finest Quality Waring & Gillows Side Bedroom Chairs Part of Large Suite
By Waring & Gillow
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this pair of finest quality Waring & Gillow Lancaster, Walnut inlaid side occasional or bedroom chairs which are part of a large suite. This piece is part of a bedroom set, I have in total a triple bank wardrobe...
Walnut
$1,216Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 15.36 in D 23.23 in
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Small Folding Chairs E.W Godwin Manner
Located in Norwich, GB
A pair of Aesthetic Movement small walnut low folding decorative chairs with cane seats, in the manner of E.W. Godwin. Circa 1870s. Free delivery to the UK via a selected parcel company. The walnut frames are in very good condition and have their original patina, showing some age with use, they have been lightly waxed. One of the chairs cane seats professionally re-caned, and it has been aged to resemble the other original cane seat. This same chair has had the under rail replaced in oak with two bolts, as shown in photograph number 12. This was done many years ago - I would say about 80 plus years, looking at the construction. Also added at a similar time under the seat, one small rail either side. The wooden dome...
Cane, Walnut
$3,785
H 31.5 in W 20.48 in D 17.13 in
Fine circa 1780 Georgian Shell Back Hall Chair Gillows of Lancaster Attributed
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Georgian circa 1780 Cuban mahogany hall chair attributed to Gillows of Lancaster A very fine Georgian chair, clearly made by Gillows however as its not stamped we have classed it as attributed to. The piece has all the normal master craftsman details, the recessed back handle, the very fine carved back rest, this piece just screams understated English fine...
Hardwood
Pair Neoclassical Style Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair neoclassical style side chairs. The chairs have black lacquered wood frames, a decorative gold pattern with a round bronze insert to ...
Bronze
$1,200
H 34 in W 16 in D 16 in
Strikingly Decorative Victorian Aesthetic Movement Gilt & Ebonized Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A strikingly decorative Victorian side chair having detailed carved ebonized wood and gilded frame offset with fancy chartreuse damask new upholstery.
Wood
Aesthetic Movement 'Thebes' Chair By Liberty & Co
By Liberty & Co.
Located in Petworth, GB
Thebes chair in Mahogany with original Liberty & Co cotton velvet fabric. Liberty & Co Circa 1895 Height 92cm. Width 49cm. Depth 55cm. Seat Height 42cm
Velvet, Mahogany
$4,800
H 36 in W 19.25 in D 22 in
Harvey Probber Scissor Form Ebonized Wood and Black Leather Side Chair
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century scissor form dining / side chair with an ebonized wooden frame with a narrow back comprised of three vertical slats, with a black leather upholstered seat and sm...
Leather, Wood, Upholstery, Ebony
Aesthetic Bamboo Gilt Iron Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage aesthetic style gilt metal bamboo side chair.
Metal
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 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