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, by Gillows & Co. Aesthetic Movement chess table
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert, made by Gillows and Co. An exceptional exhibition-quality Aesthetic Movement chess table inlaid with boxwood to the chessboard top, with three baluster legs incised an...
Boxwood, Walnut
B Talbert for Gillows Aesthetic Movement Davenport with Central Carved Rosette
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce J Talbert for Gillows of Lancaster. An Aesthetic Movement Davenport with a brass gallery to the back and an inkwell and pen compartment below, a...
Mahogany
Custom Chess Set and Game Table
By Bridges over Time Originals
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A custom made walnut and maple chess set and game table we commissioned. It is solidly made with squares of curly maple and walnut. The table legs and borders are solid walnut. The c...
Birdseye Maple, Oak, Walnut
Art deco chess table
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art deco chess table with brass hand carwed top in excellent original condition.
Brass
On Hold|$1,870
H 25.6 in W 16.34 in D 16.34 in
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN AESTHETIC MOVEMENT STYLE TiLED TOP CHESSBOARD CHESS TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning antique Victorian Mahogany games table with Chessboard Tiled top and stamped to the base with ...
Hardwood
Danish Modern Chess and Backgammon Table by Georg Petersens
By Georg Petersens Møbelfabrik
Located in Denton, TX
Portable game table that is easy to move anywhere in the house. Manufactured by Georg Petersens shop in Denmark. Versatile design lets you play chess or backgammon.
Satinwood, Teak, Mahogany, Walnut
Antique Victorian Games Table Chess Backgammon 1840
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Elegant early Victorian games table with barley twist stretcher Rosewood games table with a chest board and back gammon inlaid foldover flap We date this piece to circa 1840 Very sol...
Rosewood
Trojan XXI Chess Table & Set
Located in Ostrava, CZ
Trojan, a coffee table at first sight, is hiding space that holds similar amount of fighters as a legendary Trojan horse. 32 chess pieces made by Towarna, are cast from concrete, one of first composite materials, used already in ancient Rome. Chess, which evolved from the Persian chess...
Concrete
Antique Victorian Inlaid Chess Table
Located in London, GB
An amazing antique Victorian inlaid chess table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1860-1880’s period. It is beautifully made, the top has an inlaid chessboard made...
Wood
$2,009Sale Price|40% Off
H 33.86 in W 19.3 in D 20.87 in
19th Century Hand Carved Walnut Davenport Writing Desk made in England
Located in Sofia, BG
Davenport desk in walnut and burlwood veneer, inlaid in filleted frames, opening with two flaps, one of which is stepped, the first revealing an inkwell and letter compartment, The s...
Walnut
Victorian Burr Walnut Inlaid Davenport
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Victorian burr walnut and inlaid davenport in nice condition. It has a brass gallery to the top with an an ink well either side with decorative inlay su...
Walnut
19th Century chess & card table
Located in Belgrade, RS
This "chess table," as we call it, has a chessboard on its top surface, with the chess squares made using the intarsia technique. The light squares are made of maple wood veneer, whi...
Brass
Antique Regency Style Chess Table
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique Regency style chess table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s. It is beautifully designed and is of very high quality. The frame is inlaid ...
Satinwood, Walnut
$3,463
H 28.15 in Dm 41.74 in
Rare Gillow & Co 1852-1857 Aesthetic Movement Burr Walnut Ebonised Dining Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very rare circa 1852-1857 Gillow & Co Lancaster attributed burr walnut and ebonished wood occasional or dining table A very rare and well made piece...
Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 11.5 in D 11.5 in
Bruce Talbert an Aesthetic Movement Ebonized Plant Stand with Inset Minton Tile
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert. An Aesthetic movement ebonized plant stand, with turned details and gilt highlights, inset with a hand-painted Minton pottery tile decorated with Cherry Blossom and if...
Ceramic, Walnut