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 Aesthetic Movement Oak Sideboard with Turned Finials
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert, for Gillows An Aesthetic Movement oak sideboard with turned finials and a turned gallery above the central bevelled mirror flanked by further turnings. Four drawers wi...
Oak
Bruce Talbert for Gillows attri, A Fine Aesthetic Movement Oak & Glazed Cabinet
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed to Gillows. A rare Aesthetic Movement oak cabinet with parcel-gilt carving to the demilune doors depicting vine grapes and a butterfly to the right, and the...
Oak
Bruce Talbert for Gillow. A Walnut, Amboyna, Ebonized and Gilt Bedroom Suite.
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and co., a rare and important walnut, amboyna, ebonized, and gilt bedroom suite, each with differing carved rosettes, comprising: a triple mirror door wardrobe, 208cm high, 208cm wide, 58cm deep; a pair of bedside lockers, 85cm high, 38cm wide; and a pair of single bedsteads, 124cm wide Provenance: The famous Argentinian writer and suffragette Victoria Ocampo (1890-1979), bought from her estate and shipped back from Argentina. Bruce James Talbert originally trained as a carver and then an architect, and he became an influential and very successful furniture designer. He served an apprenticeship in Dundee and had his own carving business for two years where he learned the skills to apply carved details to furniture and then joined the architectural offices of Charles Edward. In 1856 he moved to Glasgow and worked for the architects W. N. Tait and Campbell Douglas. He moved to Manchester in the early 1860s, where he gained employment with the cabinetmakers Doveston, Bird, and Hull, which was short-lived, then moved to Coventry gaining work with Skidmore's Art Manufactures. In 1863 he won the competition to design the masthead for 'The Building News and in the mid-1860s moved to London, where he started designing furniture for Holland and Sons. His 'Pericles' Gothic sideboard was displayed on their stand at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867 where it was the Grand Prix winner. It was at this point that his most prolific period began and also when he started designing furniture for Gillows of Lancaster in 1868. in the same year, he published his very influential first book 'Gothic Forms Applied to Furniture, Metal Work and Decoration for Domestic Purposes', which he dedicated to George Edmund Street. This was followed in 1876 by 'Examples of Ancient and Modern Furniture, Metalwork, Tapestries and Modern Furniture' and in 1881 by 'Fashionable Furniture. Other companies he designed for were Marsh, Jones and Cribb, Jackson and Graham, and for a short time, was a partner with Daniel Cottier. He designed textiles for Templeton's, Warner's, Cowlishaw, and Barbour and Miller; carpet designs for Templeton's and Brinton and Co.; and his wallpaper designs were printed by Jeffrey and Co. He also designed church metalwork and furniture for Cox and Sons...
Walnut
$3,802Sale Price|30% Off
H 71.46 in W 41.15 in D 18.51 in
1920's Chinese Export Oriental Heavily Carved Camphor Wood Wardrobe Part Suite
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand made Chinese Export circa 1900-1920 Camphor wood wardrobe which is part of a set I have the matching super rare chest of draw...
Wood
$2,647Sale Price|30% Off
H 29.93 in W 24.41 in D 14.57 in
Finest Quality Waring & Gillow Burr Walnut Bedside Table Drawers Part of a Suite
By Waring & Gillow
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this finest quality Waring & Gillow Lancaster, Burr Walnut inlaid large bed side table which is part of a large suite This piece is part of a bedroom set, I have in total a triple bank wardrobe...
Walnut
$5,128 / item
H 56.11 in W 25.6 in D 19.1 in
Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum
By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Il settimanale Arcate fa parte di una collezione esclusiva che include comodini e comò, ideata dal rinomato studio milanese Accardi Buccheri per il brand MEDULUM. La scocca, realizza...
Walnut
$10,850 / set
H 79.53 in W 72.25 in D 25.01 in
English Art Deco Burr Walnut Bedroom Suite Attributed to H & L Epstein
By Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture Co
Located in Glasgow, GB
An English Art Deco four-piece burr walnut and rosewood crossbanded bedroom suite attributed to H & L Epstein and dating to circa 1925. Typically stylish and of superb quality it comprises: A four-door fitted wardrobe with a rare additional internal door providing triple dressing mirrors...
Chrome
$3,802Sale Price|30% Off
H 78.15 in W 72.25 in D 19.89 in
Antique Art Deco Burr Maple Triple Bank circa 1920's Wardrobe Mirrored Door
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Art Deco Burr Maple triple bank wardrobe with large full length mirrored middle door which is par...
Mirror, Maple
$7,995 / set
H 78 in W 120 in D 19.5 in
Campaign Style Thomasville Furn Mystique 3 Section Modular Queen Bed & Armoires
By Thomasville
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful campaign style modular wall unit bedroom or bed set up with side armoires comprised of dark wood, removeable mirrors, lights, full/queen headboard, and brass hardware by Thomasville Furniture. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. The top of the headboard has been refinished but the rest of the pieces have their original finish. No outstanding flaws that we have detected. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1970’s. Can a girl (or guy) ever have Too many options??? We think Not!!! Seriously!! Take another look at this Extremely cool, Extremely modular “Mystique” wall unit or bedroom set up by Tomlinson Furniture. So many options…We say that because the center, larger unit can be used as a headboard for a full or queen-sized bed. You just need a Hollywood frame, and it backs right up against the headboard which has drop front storage for extra pillows or blankets! The four mirrors are removeable so if you prefer you could take them off and expose a blank wall or hang your favorite piece of artwork. Plus, there are lights at the top of the crown unit and a shelf to hold a lamp, books, or décor! Now, it’s nice to have the two side cabinets in your bedroom if you need the space for storage…there is hanging space in the top wardrobe area and three nice sized drawer’s underneath…AND there are knobs immediately beneath the wardrobe section that pull out into a nightstand surface with a black laminate top!! SO NICE!! BUT…maybe it’s a little much for the space you have, and you want to break it up a bit. NO PROBLEM! The two side pier cabinets are modular and can stand individually in separate rooms or could set side by side in one room. Maybe you want to use the two pier cabinets in a second bedroom and put a beautiful brass bed between them and use the center unit in a different bedroom. The whole unit is comprised of a gorgeous sultry dark wood and the cabinets have beautiful brass escutcheons, teardrop pulls, and hardware. There are truly so many interchangeable possibilities with this wonderful campaign style wall unit and it is made with impeccable quality by an iconic manufacturer. You just can’t go wrong! The original Thomasville furniture company was founded in 1904. At the time, it was called the Thomasville chair company since the company focused on producing chairs exclusively. Over the next few decades, the catalog expanded to include additional furniture pieces. During this time, the original company went through several owners; despite this, the company still experienced financial success even through economic hardship of the 1930s. Vintage pieces from the Thomasville Furniture company run the gamut from chairs to dining room furniture and many different types of furniture in between. The earliest pieces from the company when it was still known as the Thomasville Chair Company are considered the most rare and valuable. If you are looking for authentic Thomasville vintage pieces, you will need to find them on the secondhand market. Thomasville Furniture is one of the most recognized furniture companies in America. You can count on Thomasville furniture for incredible dining room and bedroom furniture. – vintage furniture guide...
Brass
Sideboard in Carved Oak with Turned Legs, Spain, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
This sideboard unfolds as a wooden reliquary of Iberian heritage, its façade a dialogue of geometry and ornament. Deeply framed panels converge in architectural precision, drawing th...
Oak
$50,624 / set
H 88.19 in W 83.86 in D 25.6 in
Rosewood Ocean Liner Furniture Suite from Ducrot, 1920s, Set of 6
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Main suite set from the liner Giulio Cesare launched in 1920 in Palermo with first voyage from Genoa in 1922. Completely fitted out by the Ducrot firm of Palermo. Excellent cabinetry...
Steel
French Empire Bedroom Suite Walnut Nightstands Bed Commode 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
This Suite Comprises of a Large Gentleman's Wardrobe, a Ladies Wardrobe, Super King Size Bed, Marble Top Commode and a Pair of Marble Top Bedside C...
Marble
Art Deco Cloud Figured Walnut Wardrobe, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this fabulously styled Art Deco wardrobe dating to the 1930's. Small and well proportioned this wardrobe has stunning Walnut grain with book paged veneers w...
Walnut
$1,850
H 43.75 in W 21 in D 14.5 in
Chinoiserie Lacquered Bamboo Cabinet French Aesthetic Movement 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinoiserie Lacquered Bamboo Cabinet, France, circa late 19th Century. Beautiful hand painted aesthetic movement decoration. It is a versatile size and can be used as an entry or con...
Metal
$13,752 / set
H 60.63 in W 43.31 in D 21.66 in
Victorian Hampton & Son's Satinwood Bedroom Suite Wardrobe Dressing Table Mirror
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for auction this very rare original Victorian Satinwood bedroom suite by Hampton & Son’s of Pall Mall London. A very rare bedroom suite made by one of the great Victorian furniture makers Hampton & Son’s of Pall Mall London. The suite is circa 1890, made from the finest Satinwood available and with silver leaf painted detailing, each piece is Stamped with the button Label of Hampton's Pall Mall East London apart from the chair which has the Hampton plaque on the underside The dimensions of each piece are below, the main wardrobe is very large, the wardrobe with drawers is actually very small and a tallboy size, the dressing table comes with a matching chair and stool We have cleaned waxed and polished it from top to bottom, the glass in the Cherval mirror is lightly perished and aged as it’s the original plate, otherwise for me its in time warp condition Hampton and Sons were cabinet makers of Antique Furniture and were first established in ca. 1830 by William Hampton. He opened his first shop selling General household to more Fine furniture in Cranbourn Street, in London. In 1869 Williams Two sons George and William joined his business and they expended and moved to the larger premises 8 Pall Mall, London. Hampton and Sons furnished some impressive properties and boats from the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary, the Theatre Royal of Drury Lane, the Duke of York Theatre, the Dorchester and the Mayfair Hotels and the palaces of two Indian princes, the Nizam of Hyderabad & the Maharajah of Kashmir. Hampton and Sons had a few disasters throughout its history, it suffered a major fire in 1890 but they re-established and went to expand their business further. They bought several cabinet making firms starting with James Coulson and Co of Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 1898, and then Goodall, Lamb and Highway of King Street, Manchester and Robson and Sons...
Mirror, Satinwood
Sold
H 65.75 in W 96.5 in D 27 in
Bruce Talbert for Gillows. Aesthetic Movement Exhibition Quality Oak Sideboard.
By Bruce James Talbert, Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. for Gillows of Lancaster. An outstanding Aesthetic Movement exhibition quality oak and Burr oak sideboard with double horizontal dentil cornice, the central original b...
Oak, Boxwood
Sold
H 40.5 in W 26 in D 18 in
A Gothic Revival Carved Oak Glazed Music Cabinet, designed by B Talbert
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881), a Gothic Revival oak and glazed music cabinet, carved florets with upper section and drop down door and large cupboard below , probably made by Gillow and Co...
Oak
Gothic Revival Oak Cabinet by B Talbert
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert, probably made by Gillows of Lancaster. A Gothic revival oak cabinet with carved florets to the front and the sides a down upper door and a lower glazed door. The lower...
Oak
Bruce Talbert. An Arts & Crafts Oak Washstand probably made by Gillows
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and Co. (probably), an oak and tiled washstand. The spiral turned legs and the differential treatment of the rosett...
Oak