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 attri, A Fine Aesthetic Movement Oak & Glazed Cabinet
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Bruce James Talbert
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
On Hold|$3,000
H 37.75 in W 22 in D 16 in
English Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Cabinet, 1880, Japonesque Top, Green Curtain
Located in Darien, CT
A beautifully crafted example of English Aesthetic Movement design, this circa 1880 bamboo cabinet reflects the period’s fascination with natural materials and Japanese influence. M...
Brass
$4,023
H 53.55 in W 52.37 in D 17.52 in
Fine Vintage Waring & Gillows Ltd Fully Stamped Flamed Hardwood Drinks Cabinet
By Waring & Gillow
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very well made flamed mahogany Waring & Gillow drinks cabinet with original stamps to the inside and top of the door A very well made and g...
Hardwood
English Aesthetic Movement Tall Glass Front Bamboo Cabinet
Located in Troy, MI
A bamboo cabinet in a dark brown finish, with two glass doors, each fitted with an X-strut bamboo motif at the top and bottom. Interior fitted with four shelves creating five compart...
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Glass
$995
H 19.5 in W 13.5 in D 6.25 in
Vintage Tortoise Bamboo Wall Cabinet with Mirror, Aesthetic Movement Style
Located in Southampton, NJ
A delightful vintage tortoise bamboo single door wall cabinet with mirror, accented with grass cloth surround and one shelf. A marvelous option for Coastal settings with an appreciat...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
$2,700
H 48.5 in W 30.5 in D 12.5 in
Aesthetic Movement Antique Burnt Bamboo Cabinet, England, Circa 1880s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 19th century English Aesthetic Movement cabinet crafted from tortoiseshell bamboo and decorated with a japanned lacquer top. Heavily influenced by Anglo Japanese design tastes. ...
Bamboo
$760Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 28.5 in D 11 in
Antique Kimble & Cabus attr Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Wall Cabinet c1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Kimble & Cabus attr. Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Wall Cabinet Unsigned C1870 Measures c- 33" x 28 1/2" x 11" A fine example of the Aesthetic Movement, this ebonized wall ca...
Wood
Antique Aesthetic Movement Bamboo Cabinet with Etched Glass Door
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very fine Aesthetic movement Bamboo cabinet with bottom consisting of four shelves behind an etched glass door. The top has japanned areas and other compartments.
Bamboo
$4,910
H 50 in W 25 in D 15 in
Aesthetic Movement ebonised hanging corner cabinet by Bruce Talbert for Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Fine quality English Aesthetic Movement ebonised and gilt hanging corner cabinet with painted floral decoration. The cabinet was designed by Bruce J Talbert and is attributed to Gil...
Mahogany
$4,023
H 30.52 in W 20.87 in D 18.9 in
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GILLOWS LANCASTER AESTHETiC MOVEMENT AMBOYNA WOOD BOOK TABLE
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, very unique, Amboyna and Ebony Aesthetic Movement Victorian revolving book table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster & London Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price A very good looking, highly collectable and well made table. These were designed as book tables for your favourite author to be displayed, the main shelf rotates, its rare to find it in Amboyna and Ebony, it is most certainly made by Gillows as they are famous for this type of furniture, I usually have one or two pieces of this type listed that are stamped Gillows, the odd desk...
Ebony, Amboyna
Aesthetic Movement Victorian Music Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Victorian ebonized music cabinet, Late 1890s Victorian era ebonized music cabinet. Incised design in front and sides. 2 doors reveal additional...
Wood
$8,800
H 72 in W 49.5 in D 19.5 in
English Aesthetic Movement Antique Handpainted Cabinet, in Japanese Style
Located in New York, NY
A large two-door collector’s cabinet in the Anglo-Japanese taste, dating to the height of the Aesthetic Movement in England. The piece combines exceptional carved woodwork with two d...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
$10,500
H 80 in W 44 in D 18 in
Late 19th Century Restored Aesthetic Movement Tortoise Bamboo Japanned Cabinet
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Spectacular late 19th-century English Aesthetic Movement cabinet étagère executed in richly figured tortoiseshell bamboo with striking japanned lacquer decoration throughout. An extr...
Bamboo, Mirror, Wood, Plywood
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