Duncan Phyfe Settee
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Finding the Right seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To know if your sofa is a Duncan Phyfe, start by examining the materials. Normally, Phyfe used solid mahogany wood. If you see any evidence of veneers or engineered wood, you likely have a reproduction. Also, look closely at the studs and nail-head trim. An original will have securely fastened hardware, and the hardware should appear naturally aged. Find a range of expertly vetted Duncan Phyfe sofas on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Duncan Phyfe furniture was founded in 1837. It was one of the first American cabinet-making companies to successfully use the factory method of manufacturing. Shop a collection of Duncan Phyfe furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Duncan Phyfe tables can be worth anywhere between $50,000 and $150,000. To tell if your table is an original Duncan Phyfe, look for carved reeds, urn posts and pedestals, and lion-paw feet among others.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021In an antique market today, an original Duncan Phyfe dining table would be worth between $50,000 to $150,000.
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