Skip to main content

Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Scottish, 1838-1881

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.

to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
12
107
61
51
37
Creator: Bruce James Talbert
Bruce Talbert for Gillow and Co. A Gothic Revival Oak and Leather Writing Table
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert (1838-1881) for Gillow and Co., an oak two-drawer writing table, with a later red leather top, stamped mark, no. L9534.
Category

Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Bruce Talbert for Gillow and Co. A Gothic Revival Oak and Leather Writing Table
Bruce Talbert for Gillow and Co. A Gothic Revival Oak and Leather Writing Table

Bruce Talbert for Gillow and Co. A Gothic Revival Oak and Leather Writing Table

$3,455
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...
Category

Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

B Talbert for Gillows Aesthetic Movement Davenport with Central Carved Rosette
B Talbert for Gillows Aesthetic Movement Davenport with Central Carved Rosette

B Talbert for Gillows Aesthetic Movement Davenport with Central Carved Rosette

$7,187
Related Items
Sheraton Revival Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Sheraton Revival Mahogany 2 drawer Writing Table.< Circa 1880 This Writing Table is Raised Upon Tapered Legs. Featuring 2 Mahogany Lined Drawers. The Whole of the Writing Table Havin...
Category

1880s Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Sheraton Revival Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1880
Sheraton Revival Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1880

Sheraton Revival Desk Mahogany Writing Table 1880

$1,799
H 30 in W 42 in D 21 in
Spanish Colonial Revival Writing Table Desk Library Table
By Baker Furniture Company, Henredon
Located in Southampton, NJ
Outstanding Spanish Colonial style solid pine desk with three dovetailed drawers & forged iron base; Walter E. Smith collection. A substantial Desk, work, library table in rarely us...
Category

2010s American Spanish Colonial Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Spanish Colonial Revival Writing Table Desk Library Table
Spanish Colonial Revival Writing Table Desk Library Table

Spanish Colonial Revival Writing Table Desk Library Table

$3,200
H 31 in W 59 in D 32 in
Antique Charles II Revival Oak and Elm Writing Desk Dressing
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique fine quality Charles II revival C1920 oak and elm writing desk or dressing table. Solid heavy, no loose joints and no woodworm. Full of age, character and charm. The oak l...
Category

1920s Charles II Vintage Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Elm, Oak

Antique Charles II Revival Oak and Elm Writing Desk Dressing
Antique Charles II Revival Oak and Elm Writing Desk Dressing

Antique Charles II Revival Oak and Elm Writing Desk Dressing

$1,162 Sale Price
30% Off
H 31.5 in W 36.23 in D 19.69 in
Antique French Writing Desk Table Renaissance Revival Dolphin Style Carved Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful versatile size antique French oak renaissance revival writing desk or table with drawer and double pedestal. ~~c. 1890 W...
Category

1890s French Renaissance Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Writing Desk Table Renaissance Revival Dolphin Style Carved Oak
Antique French Writing Desk Table Renaissance Revival Dolphin Style Carved Oak

Antique French Writing Desk Table Renaissance Revival Dolphin Style Carved Oak

$2,800
H 29.75 in W 42 in D 23.25 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...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Hand Carved Walnut Davenport Writing Desk made in England
19th Century Hand Carved Walnut Davenport Writing Desk made in England

19th Century Hand Carved Walnut Davenport Writing Desk made in England

$2,338 Sale Price
30% Off
H 33.86 in W 19.3 in D 20.87 in
Antique Chippendale Revival Desk by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A magnificent antique Chippendale revival desk by Gillows. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1890-1900 period. The quality is outstanding, the Gillows makers stamp ...
Category

1890s British Chippendale Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Chippendale Revival Desk by Gillows
Antique Chippendale Revival Desk by Gillows

Antique Chippendale Revival Desk by Gillows

$3,593
H 30.71 in W 55.91 in D 37.01 in
Antique French Desk Writing Table Barley Twist Renaissance Revival Tiger Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
EXCELLENT 19th Century Antique French Oak Renaissance Revival Library Office Executive Desk with Full Length Drawer and Barley Twist Legs With so many people working from home now,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Antique French Desk Writing Table Barley Twist Renaissance Revival Tiger Oak
Antique French Desk Writing Table Barley Twist Renaissance Revival Tiger Oak

Antique French Desk Writing Table Barley Twist Renaissance Revival Tiger Oak

$3,700
H 29.75 in W 51 in D 27.75 in
English Victorian Gothic Revival Carved Oak Table
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian Gothic Revival (late 19th Century) carved oak rectangular table resting on two wide carved legs connected at center under the tabletop by two arching carved open su...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Oak

English Victorian Gothic Revival Carved Oak Table
English Victorian Gothic Revival Carved Oak Table

English Victorian Gothic Revival Carved Oak Table

$12,500
H 32.5 in W 53 in D 27.5 in
American Victorian Gothic Revival "Carlton House" Desk
By Carlton House Fine Furniture
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian Gothic Revival (mid-19th Century) oak "Carlton House" desk with super structure above drawers on legs joined by stretchers.
Category

Late 19th Century American Gothic Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

American Victorian Gothic Revival "Carlton House" Desk
American Victorian Gothic Revival "Carlton House" Desk

American Victorian Gothic Revival "Carlton House" Desk

$16,500
H 52 in W 39 in D 21 in
LOVELY ANTIQUE LATE VICTORIAN GOTHIC REVIVAL BARLEY TWiST LEG HALL TABLE OR DESK
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand carved Gothic Revival Victorian Oak hall table with two large drawers Please note the de...
Category

19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

LOVELY ANTIQUE LATE VICTORIAN GOTHIC REVIVAL BARLEY TWiST LEG HALL TABLE OR DESK
LOVELY ANTIQUE LATE VICTORIAN GOTHIC REVIVAL BARLEY TWiST LEG HALL TABLE OR DESK

LOVELY ANTIQUE LATE VICTORIAN GOTHIC REVIVAL BARLEY TWiST LEG HALL TABLE OR DESK

$3,056 Sale Price
20% Off
H 29.14 in W 51.19 in D 27.56 in
American Victorian Aesthetic Movement Roll Top Desk
By Herter Brothers
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian Aesthetic Movement ebonized roll top lady's desk with gallery top upper section & stretcher base with lower drawer and inlaid & incised trim (in the style of HERTER BROS).
Category

19th Century American Aesthetic Movement Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

American Victorian Aesthetic Movement Roll Top Desk
American Victorian Aesthetic Movement Roll Top Desk

American Victorian Aesthetic Movement Roll Top Desk

$8,500
H 44 in W 26 in D 18.5 in
Rosewood American Rococo Revival Sofa Table or Writing Table NYC, circa 1840
By Meeks & Sons Manufactory 1
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful American Rococo Revival sofa table in rosewood with shaped drop-leaves, escargot feet, and well-articulated foliate carvings on apr...
Category

1840s American Rococo Revival Antique Bruce James Talbert Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Rosewood American Rococo Revival Sofa Table or Writing Table NYC, circa 1840
Rosewood American Rococo Revival Sofa Table or Writing Table NYC, circa 1840

Rosewood American Rococo Revival Sofa Table or Writing Table NYC, circa 1840

$6,750
H 28.5 in W 36.25 in D 27 in

Bruce James Talbert desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Bruce James Talbert desks and writing tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Bruce James Talbert desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables by Bruce James Talbert were created in the Arts and Crafts style in united kingdom during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by and Edwards & Roberts. Prices for Bruce James Talbert desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,160 and can go as high as $8,217, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,689.

Recently Viewed

View All