Duncan Phyfe
Encyclopedia
Duncan Phyfe was one of nineteenth-century America’s leading furniture makers.
Born Duncan Fife near Loch Fannich
, Scotland
, he emigrated to Albany, New York
, at age 16 and served as a cabinetmaker’s apprentice. In 1792, he changed the spelling of his surname, moved to New York City
, and opened his own business in 1794, which eventually employed more than 100 workers. He became known as one of America's leading cabinetmakers by selling furniture at 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
, Edgewater
, Roper House
and Millford Plantation
owned by the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, museums, etc.
Karl Shapiro
refers to the fly's leg as "the fine leg of a Duncan-Phyfe," in his poem "The Fly."
Born Duncan Fife near Loch Fannich
Loch Fannich
Loch Fannich is a remote loch in Ross-shire, in the Scottish highlands. The loch is located 12 miles west of Strathpeffer.Loch Fannich was dammed and its water level raised as part of the Conon Hydro-Electric Power Scheme, built by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board between 1946 and 1961...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, he emigrated to Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, at age 16 and served as a cabinetmaker’s apprentice. In 1792, he changed the spelling of his surname, moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and opened his own business in 1794, which eventually employed more than 100 workers. He became known as one of America's leading cabinetmakers by selling furniture at relatively low prices. Although Phyfe’s work encompassed a broad range of the period’s classical styles--Empire, Sheraton
Sheraton Style
Sheraton is a late 18th century neoclassical English furniture style, in vogue ca 1785 - 1820, that was coined by 19th century collectors and dealers to credit furniture designer Thomas Sheraton, born in Stockton-on-Tees, England in 1751 and whose books, "The Cabinet Dictionary" of engraved...
, Regency
Regency architecture
The Regency style of architecture refers primarily to buildings built in Britain during the period in the early 19th century when George IV was Prince Regent, and also to later buildings following the same style...
, Federal
Federal furniture
Federal furniture refers to American furniture produced in the federal style, which lasted from approximately 1789 to 1823. Notable furniture makers who worked in this style included Duncan Phyfe and Charles-Honoré Lannuier...
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
Green Room (White House)
The Green Room is one of three state parlors on the first floor in the White House, the home of the president of the United States. It is used for small receptions and teas. During a state dinner, guests are served cocktails in the three state parlors before the president, first lady, and visiting...
, Edgewater
Edgewater (Barrytown, New York)
Edgewater is a historic mansion near Barrytown in Dutchess County, New York, United States. It is a contributing property in the Hudson River Historic District.Its two gatehouses were designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis.-Sources:...
, Roper House
Robert William Roper House
Robert William Roper House was built about 1838 in Charleston, South Carolina on land purchased by Robert W. Roper in May 1838. The authors of the nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places speculated that Edward B. White was the architect, although no evidence is given in...
and Millford Plantation
Millford Plantation
Millford Plantation is an historic place located on SC 261 west of Pinewood, South Carolina. Its monumental two-story Greek Revival mansion built in 1839 for John L...
owned by the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, museums, etc.
Karl Shapiro
Karl Shapiro
Karl Jay Shapiro was an American poet. He was appointed the fifth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 1946.-Biography:...
refers to the fly's leg as "the fine leg of a Duncan-Phyfe," in his poem "The Fly."