How Renowned Cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe Influenced the Furniture Industry

Duncan Phyfe: Renowned Cabinetmaker and Influential Force in Furniture Design

There are countless stories in the annals of history about individuals who rose from humble beginnings to positions of fame and prominence; perhaps they became inventors or scholars or leaders of revolutionary armies in the fight against tyranny and oppression, but whatever path they chose, their names and reputations have endured for decades if not centuries.

In the history of furniture design, one such individual is Duncan Phyfe. Born Duncan Fife in Scotland in 1768, he and his family immigrated to the United States in 1784 and established their new roots in Albany, New York. A poor immigrant when he arrived in America, Duncan found work as a cabinetmaker’s apprentice to help support his family and he quickly gained distinction in his field; he subsequently moved to New York City in 1791 and opened his own cabinetmaking business in 1794 – it was also at this time that Duncan changed the spelling of his surname from Fife to Phyfe.

Duncan Phyfe went on to achieve his considerable fame and success through a combination of hard work and exceptional talent. He was particularly skilled in the adaptation of popular and stylish European furniture designs, and greatly influenced the aesthetic interests of his clientele with his refinements of the classical styles of such designers as Thomas Sheraton, George Hepplewhite, Thomas Hope, and the Adam brothers; it should also be noted that his clientele included some of the wealthiest and most celebrated American families of that era.

Though Duncan Phyfe did not develop a new style of furniture, his designs truly influenced an entire generation of cabinetmakers; at that time, it was deemed a neoclassical style, i.e. a revival/revitalization of those European designs which in turn drew their inspirations from the classical cultures of the Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans.

A Superb Selection of Duncan Phyfe Dining and Side Tables for Your Toronto Home

After fifty-five years in the trade, Duncan Phyfe closed his cabinetmaking business in 1847 and lived the balance of his life in New York City until his death in 1854. But the legacy of his pioneering style lives on today, more than 150 years later, through high-end furniture stores like Carrocel in Toronto.

Phyfe’s style embodied several distinct philosophies, including:

  • Balance
  • Symmetry
  • Restrained Design
  • Superior Proportions

For those who are intrigued by Duncan Phyfe furniture, these are some of the Greco-Roman elements of his tables, chairs, and sofas that might help them to form images in their mind:

  • Sofas – generally include low backs and rolled arms
  • Chair backs – designs resembling harps, lyres, and lutes
  • Table and chair legs – usually carved, reeded, or turned
  • Table, chair, sofa feet – finely detailed (animal paw-shaped)

Of course, rather than homeowners simply trying to imagine Duncan Phyfe pieces, it may be more gratifying to see various pieces for themselves by visiting the Carrocel furniture store near Yorkdale Mall in Toronto.  Although there are few authenticated/original Duncan Phyfe pieces available (largely due to a hesitancy to label his furniture when it was manufactured) Carrocel has an exquisite selection of custom dining tables and side tables on display in its 20,000 square-foot showroom at 245 Bridgeland Avenue; some of the Duncan Phyfe pieces currently available from Carrocel include:

Custom mahogany rosewood dining tableCarrocel custom flamed mahogany banded dining tableCustom triple banded flamed mahogany dining tableDove grey mahogany duncan phyfe dining tableCustom duncan phyfe american mahogany banded dining tableCarrocel custom flamed mahogany dining table with duncan phyfe style pedestalsHigh quality flamed mahogany duncan phyfe high gloss dining tablesetCustom flamed inlaid mahogany dining table beaded skirt

For more complete information on these one-of-a-kind Duncan Phyfe tables, including their cost, go to the respective links provided or visit Carrocel’s 20,000 square-foot showroom in central Toronto.

Add the aura of Duncan Phyfe furniture to your Toronto home with a custom table from the vintage furniture specialists from Carrocel fine furniture. Call Carrocel at 416-999-2525 today or contact us to request a complimentary consultation at a convenient time in your schedule. You are also invited to visit our showroom, located near Toronto’s Yorkdale Mall, at your leisure.

3 Response(s) for “How Renowned Cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe Influenced the Furniture Industry

  • Sandy says:

    I have a set of Duncan Phyfe chairs that have grapes on the back instead of a rose. Have you ever seen these before, do i have something unique or just some junk?
    Thanks for any info you can provide I have search the internet for years and have not found anything like them.

    Sandy

  • Lindsay Shaddy says:

    We have a Duncan Phyfe table and six chairs, one of which is broken.
    – Do you repair chairs?
    – Do you have the capacity to make reproductions of an existing chair?
    – Do you sell odd (i.e., single) chairs that perhaps are similar in silhouette, even though the details on the harps may be different?
    – May we send you a photo? If so, please give us your e-mail address.
    With thanks,
    Lindsay

    1. Carrocel Interiors says:

      Hello Lindsay, thank you for your interest in our services.
      At Carrocel we only offer full refinishing services that encompass repairs – for repairs only we are not available.
      We currently do not have any original Duncan Phyfe pieces – however we have duncan Phyfe style shield back chairs that can be custom ordered and purchased.
      Please feel free to send us an email at [email protected] to discuss further!

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