How do you identify a Duncan Phyfe chair?
Direct Identification Methods Many Duncan Phyfe-era cabinetmakers placed their company’s name on every finished furniture piece. Phyfe, on the other hand, put his signature on only a few creations. This means that the great majority of Phyfe furniture pieces have no signature or other identifying marks.
What is the Duncan Phyfe style?
The Duncan Phyfe style is characterized by carved or reeded legs and neoclassic motifs. It is named after American cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe, and is considered by some art historians as more of an adaptation and refinement of Adam, Sheraton, Hepplewhite, and Empire than a style in itself.
What chair design is Duncan Phyfe commonly known for?
The style is commonly known for harps, lutes, and lyres in chair backs. Upholstered seats are typical in chairs with smaller, more delicate legs. Phyfe furniture tends to have straight parallelled qualities, as opposed to the curvature seen in Queen Anne furniture.
What era is Duncan Phyfe furniture?
Duncan Phyfe (1768-1854) was a late 18th Century/early 19th Century craftsman who produced traditional style furniture. While Eastlake furniture was a popular style in the late 19th century, Duncan Phyfe furniture designs are based on what was popular and fashionable in Europe in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
When did they stop making Duncan Phyfe furniture?
In 1847 the business was sold and Duncan retired. Although Phyfe did not originate a new furniture style, he interpreted fashionable European styles in a manner so distinguished by grace and excellent proportions that he became a major spokesman for Neoclassicism in the United States.
Are Duncan Phyfe table worth anything?
Values for an original Duncan Phyfe table range from $50,000 to $150,000. That value is based on actual sales record where somebody actually paid cash, swiped a credit card, or wrote a check for that amount. It is not a price or auction estimate.
How do you date a drop leaf table?
Straight Saw Marks – Like most antique furniture, you can date a piece by its saw marks. Leading up to the early 1800s, saw marks were straight. Anything after was cut with a circular saw. If a drop leaf table has a circular saw cut, it’s not that old, but might still be worth the restoration effort.
How can you tell if a table is antique?
Look carefully at the bottom, sides, and back of the drawer; if the wood shows nicks or cuts, it was probably cut with a plane, a spokeshave, or a drawknife. Straight saw marks also indicate an old piece. If the wood shows circular or arc-shaped marks, it was cut by a circular saw, not in use until about 1860.
What is a butterfly table?
Definition of butterfly table. : a usually small drop-leaf table with splayed legs, oval top, and leaves supported by brackets shaped like a butterfly’s wings.