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 An Aesthetic Movement Gothic Revival oak needlework table and box
By Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed. An Aesthetic Movement/Gothic Revival oak needlework table and box with carved lunettes, florets and incised turned details to the legs united with turnings ...
Oak
Arts & Crafts oak carved library table/double desk, Morris & Co.
By Morris & Co., George Jack
Located in London, GB
An exceptional Arts and Crafts quarter-sawn oak library table/double desk, with a rectangular top and shaped sides united by a floor stretcher with molded details. Each side with hig...
Oak
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
Waring and Gillow. An Arts and Crafts bow fronted kneehole twin pedestal desk
By Waring & Gillow
Located in London, GB
Waring and Gillows attributed. An Arts and Crafts bow fronted kneehole twin pedestal desk with chequered inlay with quality hand hammered brass handles, turned legs on original castors.
Brass
Bruce Talbert attributed for Cox & Sons. A good period Gothic Revival oak desk
By Cox & Son, Bruce James Talbert
Located in London, GB
Bruce Talbert attributed possibly for Cox and Sons. A good period Gothic Revival oak desk with the original leather writing area and Y shaped supports bel...
Oak
Charles Bevan for Marsh & Jones. A Gothic Revival burr walnut Sutherland table
By Charles Bevan, Marsh, Jones & Cribb
Located in London, GB
Charles Bevan for Marsh & Jones Late Kendal. An exhibition quality Gothic Revival Burr Walnut drop leaf Sutherland table with fine inlaid decoration to the top in exceptional origina...
Walnut
Antique RJ Horner Arts & Crafts Carved Oak Two-Drawer Library Table c1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique RJ Horner Arts & Crafts Carved Oak 2-Drawer Library Table Unsigned C1920. Measures - 27 ...
Oak
Antique English Demilune Table Drop Leaf Barley Twist w Drawer Oak ROUND 1920-30
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING and UNIQUE Antique English Honey Oak Demilune Drop Side Gateleg Table with Drawer~~Barley Twist Legs~~ROUND When Fully Opened~~ Solid and sturdy with very nice ho...
Oak
Drexel Heritage Carved And Finished Arts and Crafts Style Side Table
By Drexel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Raised on four square legs with a shaped stretcher acting as lower tier with openwork gallery. One long drawer over two short drawers with brass knobs. Table top with two hinged end...
Brass
Antique Sutherland Table, English, Occasional, Gate Leg, Display, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique Sutherland table. An English, mahogany and boxwood occasional gate leg display table, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Superb, petite occasional d...
Boxwood, Mahogany
An oak and pollard oak writing table attributed to George Bullock with designs b
By George Bullock
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An oak and pollard oak writing table attributed to George Bullock with designs by draughtsman Thomas Wilkinson, the rectangular top with a small gallery on three sides, the centre with a hinged and ratchetted reading slope, all above a panelled frieze with one long drawer, decorated with asymmetrical pollard oak veneers, with a border of ovals and spheres within crossbanding and ebony stringing, all raised on unusual graduated bead legs...
Oak
Arts & Crafts Satinwood Writing Table by Marsh and Jones
By John Marsh and Edward Jones
Located in London, by appointment only
An Arts and Crafts satinwood writing lavishly inlaid with stylized foliate ornament and multilayered crossbanding. The table is supported on turned columns joined by a stretcher supp...
Satinwood
