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
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
Kurt Ostervig Sideboard for KP Mobler oak
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Kiel, SH
An oak sideboard designed by Kurt Ostervig for KP Mobler, Denmark. It has 4 doors with beautiful leather and brass handles. 3 upholstered drawers on the left side. Besides a slightl...
Leather, Oak
$4,895
H 51.5 in W 55 in D 19.5 in
English Serving Console or Sideboard of Mahogany with Turned Supports
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English serving console or sideboard of mahogany, featuring a moulded-edge top tier with a shaped back, set upon four ring-turned column supports resting on a bottom tier cabi...
Brass, Metal
Oak Sideboard with Carved Rosettes, France, 1940s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French workshop, two door sideboard, solid oak, France, 1940s. A large rosette of concentric rings is carved in relief at the centre of each door, set on a square panel with a wide b...
Bronze
$7,500
H 40 in W 49.5 in D 18.25 in
English Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo Marble Top Buffet Sideboard
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand english late 19th century buffet sideboard or server featuring an Italian Carrara marble inlay top. The case is crafted from rare fruitwood in the aesthetic movement taste with...
Marble, Iron
$4,405
H 35.44 in W 72.45 in D 17.72 in
Danish Oak Sideboard with Turned Legs and Carved Apron, Henning Kjærnulf, 1970s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Rødding, DK
This sideboard is Danish production in light oak, dating from the 1970s. The case holds four drawers above four cupboard doors. Each door is fitted with a raised panel and a small f...
Brass
$4,889
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
Oak Sideboard with Parquetry Top, France, 1950s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
J.A.D.A Galerie presents: A French sideboard from the 1950s, made when provincial workshops were adapting their traditional joinery to the plainer geometry of the postwar decade. Th...
Oak
$2,890Sale Price|20% Off
H 70.87 in W 82.29 in D 31.11 in
Art Nouveau Sideboard Veneered with Oak, the Turn of the 19th and 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Art Nouveau Sideboard Veneered with Oak, the Turn of the 19th and 20th Century We present you a big, representative oak and oak burl sideboard from the turn of the 19th and 20th cen...
Oak
$16,455
H 42.52 in W 111.03 in D 22.05 in
Massive French Solid Oak Sideboard with Arched Arcade and Turned Columns, 1950s
By Maison Regain
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Massive French Solid Oak Sideboard with Arched Arcade and Turned Columns, 1950s. A four-door sideboard in solid quarter-sawn oak, constructed with the hand-crafted severity and medi...
Wrought Iron
Antique Country Style Maple Sideboard with Turned Wood Pulls
Located in Freehold, NJ
This antique country style sideboard features hardwood construction, original maple finish, three dovetailed drawers with felt lined compartment for utensils, turned wood pulls, two ...
Maple
$1,358
H 32.29 in W 39.38 in D 16.54 in
Oak Sideboard, 1980s Vintage, Handleless Design, Modern Aesthetic
Located in London, GB
Crafted from oak with a light, warm honey tone, the piece is defined by its ultra-clean lines and handleless aesthetic. The gorgeous natural wood grain flows vertically down the fron...
Oak
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