A question about one of the most common names in antique furniture came to my attention recently. At one of my antiques appraisal shows, I was asked about a Duncan Phyfe dining room set. First, I had to explain the difference between an actual Duncan Phyfe set and a reproduction set in the style of Duncan Phyfe. There is a big difference. You may have heard the word style used after the description of many objects — Tiffany style, Victorian style, etc. For instance, a Duncan Phyfe style dining room set (emphasis on the word style) differs from an original Duncan Phyfe dining room set. Many furniture makers worked in the manner of the late 18th-century craftsman, Duncan Phyfe. Think of it this way — It’s like contemporary singer Michael Buble singing in the style of Frank Sinatra. Buble sings like Sinatra, but he’s not Sinatra! Buble singing Sinatra songs in the 2000s was a revival of Sinatra’s style which was popular in the 1950s. Similarly, this revival of the Duncan Phyfe style is seen in furniture designs in the early decades of the 1900s.
It is common that such pieces have come to be known as simply “Duncan Phyfe”, but they are not authentic Duncan Phyfe pieces. They are merely Duncan Phyfe style. As you probably guessed, there is a big value or monetary difference between authentic Duncan Phyfe furniture and Duncan Phyfe style furniture. Duncan Phyfe (1768-1854) was best known for the straight lines and classical look of his furniture carved in rich hard woods like mahogany and walnut. 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. The values that I provide are based on an actual amount that someone paid for an antique or vintage piece. For instance, in 2006, a carved mahogany dining table by Duncan Phyfe dating to 1815 measuring 30 inches tall sold for $132,000. That’s actually what someone paid for it.
That’s the value you need to know when assessing value. If you were to put a retail value on a typical, six piece Duncan Phyfe style dining room set like those your elderly aunts may have used to serve dinner on during the 1940s or 1950s, then the retail value for such a set is significantly different from that of an original Duncan Phyfe set from the late 1800s. Usually such vintage Phyfe style sets in good condition from the mid 1900s are worth $2,000 on the retail market. What do I mean by the retail market? That’s the price you would pay if you went to a retailer and bought a dining room set like your set, with its current condition factored in. Don’t be confused – original means original but “style” may mean that you have a reproduction or something else. Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on the hit TV show, Auction Kings on Discovery channel.
, /DoctorLori or call (888) 431-1010. This post is contributed by a community member. The views expressed in this post are the author's. Registered users are welcome to post on Patch.Restaining Table TopTabletop RestainTable RefurbishingRefinished Duncan Phyfe TableDuncan Phyfe Table MakeoverDuncan Phyfe DiningRrefurbishing FurnitureFurniture MakerStyle FurnitureForwardDuncan Phyfe Table Makeover. still need to think how I'm going to paint mine...vintage antique ice cream parlor table and chairs with marble top There are Duncan Phyfe originals and Duncan Phyfe reproductions. Duncan Phyfe (1768-1854) was a late 18th Century/early 19th Century craftsman who produced traditional style furniture. Identifying Duncan Phyfe 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. European furniture designs informed the look of Duncan Phyfe furniture.
Duncan Phyfe became the premiere name in furniture design in New York during this time period. 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. Unlike Thonet furniture which is known for its curved style and forms, Duncan Phyfe style pieces of furniture are recognizable for their straight lines. Most pieces were made out of hard woods such as walnut and mahogany. When it comes to refinishing antique furniture, these tips will help you retain a piece's value. Values for Duncan Phyfe furniture An original wooden table by Duncan Phyfe would be worth in the $50,000 to $150,000 range on the antiques market, today. For instance, recently, an original carved mahogany dining table by Duncan Phyfe from circa 1815 measuring 30 inches in height sold for $132,000.
Duncan Phyfe furniture was highly collected in the Federal period and later, in the 1930s to the 1950s, too. Reproduction Duncan Phyfe furniture--the furniture your grandmother owned in the era following World War II--has the same stylish and elegant look as the original Duncan Phyfe pieces. These reproductions have held their value well. For example, a vintage dining room set by Duncan Phyfe dating from the early to mid 1900s regularly sell for thousands of dollars. Do you have an original or reproduction? Request an online appraisal of your Duncan Phyfe furniture from Dr. Lori. Terms Of Use | How can you view photographs of Duncan Phyfe furniture? , , in its section on the Millford Plantation. In addition, the entry for Duncan Phyfe in the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History on the website for the Metropolitan Museum of Art contains several photographs of some of the furniture designer's signature pieces. How do you idenitfy Duncan Phyfe furniture? Is Duncan Phyfe furniture sturdy?
How do you identify a Duncan Phyfe table? is a home design website where architects and designers can share photographs of rooms they have decorated. As of November 2015, this site has over 50 pages of photos of rooms featuring Duncan Phyfe furniture. These range in kind from dining room sets and cabinets to sofas and accent tables. Some of these pieces have been repainted and/or reupholstered, while others are still in their original forms. is an auction website that features seller-submitted photographs of Duncan Phyfe furniture available for purchase. include drop leaf dining room tables, chairs and china cabinets. is the website for the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, which owns the Millford Plantation in South Carolina. One of the distinguishing features of the Millford Plantation is its collection of original Duncan Phyfe furniture. contains pictures of each item listed in the 1841 order of 47 boxes of Duncan Phyfe furniture for the plantation.
These include walnut sideboards, a mahogany cellaret and a circular rosewood nightstand. Learn more about Furniture Where can you find Duncan Phyfe dining tables? Houzz, Kijiji and Etsy are some of the website stores where you can find Duncan Phyfe tables, as of 2015. These tables come as single pieces or come as a p... Where can you find Duncan Phyfe dining tables and chairs?The dining tables on these websites are ... What are some tips for buying a Duncan Phyfe drop-leaf table? Original Duncan Phyfe tables sell for between $50,000 and $150,000, as of 2016, so be sure to work with a reputable antique collector to ensure that your p... Where can I find funky furniture? Check a variety of websites, vintage stores and thrift shops to find funky furniture. It is often difficult to find funky furniture in mass market stores b... How do you find a furniture appraiser? Where can I purchase rustic furniture? How do you refinish a drop-leaf table?