Duncan Phyfe Furniture Characteristics

Learn the market value of your duncan phyfe.

Duncan phyfe furniture characteristics.

Phyfe was heavily influenced by hepplewhite and his influence is easily seen. Phyfe furniture tends to have straight parallelled qualities as opposed to the curvature seen in queen anne furniture. Although he did not create any new furniture style he interpreted fashionable european trends in a manner so distinguished and particular that he became a major spokesman for neoclassicism in the united states influencing a whole generation of american cabinetmakers. The duncan phyfe style in a general sense duncan phyfe furniture is known for its balance harmony and proportion.

Duncan phyfe 1768 16 august 1854 was one of nineteenth century america s leading cabinetmakers. Upholstered seats are typical in chairs with smaller more delicate legs. Phyfe became the first american cabinetmaker to serve as the subject of a comprehensive retrospective with the metropolitan museum s 1922 show furniture masterpieces of duncan phyfe. Based on fancy furniture popular in france and england duncan phyfe furniture demonstrated traits such as delicate chairs with thin tapered legs and upholstered or cushioned seats and library hall and gaming tables which expanded on hinges to reveal leaves and lyre back settees based on the form of an ancient greek stringed musical instrument which resembled a harp.

All elements of a piece work together to create a pleasing refined whole. Sheraton 4 chippendale 2 chinoiserie 1 contemporary 1 george iii 1 modern 1 victorian 1 material technique. The style is commonly known for harps lutes and lyres in chair backs. Research 477 duncan phyfe prices and auction results in furniture.

In 2009 the museum again highlighted phyfe s career in a landmark exhibition that tackled these complex questions of taste and manufacture. A duncan phyfe table will look just as fabulous in your mid century modern living room or with your british colonial furniture. When looking for genuine 19 th century furniture made by him you will need to know the common characteristics of duncan phyfe furniture. Baker furniture 1 kittinger 1 style period.

Like the famous striped duncan phyfe sofa the symmetry and style of a duncan phyfe table or a duncan phyfe chair stands the testimony of time. Add duncan phyfe furniture to your home and make it even more fabulous or invest in a statement piece and watch it transform your digs effortlessly. The fife family went to the united states in 1784 settling in albany new york where duncan worked as an apprentice cabinetmaker and eventually opened his own shop. Some of his more formal dining tables used a combination of woods with the main body of the table being mahogany bordered by a satinwood inlay.

One of the most important characteristics of a duncan phyfe piece of furniture is that the carvings are worked manually. Phyfe used mahogany black walnut pear and apple woods cherry rosewood veneers and maple among other hardwoods both domestic and exotic in his creations.