Duncan Phyfe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sofa, ca. 1810-15. Attributed to the workshop of Duncan Phyfe. Mahogany, cherry, pine, gilt brass, and modern upholstery. On loan to the Cincinnati Art Museum

Duncan Phyfe (1768-August 16, 1854)^[1] was one of 19th century America’s leading furniture makers.

Born Duncan Fife in Loch Fannich, Scotland, he immigrated to Albany, New York, at age 16 and served as a cabinetmaker’s apprentice.^[1] In 1792, he changed the spelling of his name, moved to New York City,^[1] and opened his own business in 1794, which eventually employed over a hundred workers. He became known as one of America's leading cabinetmakers by selling furniture for relatively low prices. Although Phyfe’s work encompassed a broad range of the period’s classical styles, Empire, Sheraton, Regency, Federal and French Classical among them, he is most famous for his simple style, a reaction to the imported French designs popular at the time. Duncan Phyfe's furniture can be seen in the White House Green Room.

[edit] References

This United States biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This article about furniture or furnishing is a stub. You can help by expanding it.