Duncan Phyfe dining chairs. I included the table since it goes with the set, but if a set costs more than 25, just appraise one chair and I’ll use it for all chairs.
Vintage, at least mid mod vintage. The original seat cushions are under two other layers of upholstery. One of my chairs has stains so I was going to redo the seat cushions-should I? The table was made for us to go with the chairs by a furniture maker, and it has a ‘gouge’ and scratches courtesy of the movers. They put the scratches on the chairs too, but too late now.
Table is 46” round.
Secondhand Store
Yes
Hi Veronica,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Scottish-born Duncan Phyfe was one of America’s most influential cabinetmaker of the early 19th century, shaping the nation’s Federal and Empire furniture styles. Working in New York City, he blended European neoclassical design with refined American craftsmanship, creating elegant, balanced pieces prized for their proportions and restraint. Phyfe’s furniture appealed to wealthy merchants and statesmen, reflecting the young republic’s cultural confidence. His workshop set high standards for quality and design, influencing generations of American furniture makers. Today, original Duncan Phyfe pieces are museum treasures and even in a depressed market for American antiques, his furniture can still bring five or even six-figure prices; most recently, a carved games table sold at Sotheby's in January 2025 for $156,000.
Phyfe's legacy was so significant that his designs were copied during the Colonial Revival period, which stretched from around 1876 and the US Centennial to the 1940s, a nostalgic look back at the designs from the early days of the Republic. Some of the companies that marketed lines called "Duncan Phyfe" include Kittinger Co, Baker Furniture Co, Ethan Allen, Pennsylvania House, Biggs Furniture and Superior/Kindel.
Your chairs are not original Duncan Phyfe chairs but more modern examples, possibly by one of the makers I've just mentioned. They look like they're still in relatively good condition despite some scratches from the movers. In their current condition, this set of four would likely sell between $400 and $500 at auction; this value would be unlikely to change much if you reupholstered them.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
