Hello, I was wondering if this is real. It's a table, chairs and buffet from Duncan Phyfe. I bought it off a friend. She is 70 and it was her grandmother's. Thanks!
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What information about provenance do you have to prove this set is true Duncan Phyfe? Duncan Phyfe has always been on the high end cost so unless the grandmother was 'well off' she may have purchased a 'look alike' set.
Many companies made 'Duncan Phyfe" style furniture but it usually takes a qualified appraiser that can look at the furniture in person to state whether it is Duncan Phyfe original, reproduction or a 'wanna be'.
I do not believe anyone can help you very much with the pictures you have provided. It also looks like the table is not put together?
Please post back with pictures of the full set. Mainly several pictures of the table - one of each: top, full picture from the side and end if possible showing complete side of table. Also, pictures of underneath the table showing how it's made and all marks/numbers. Pictures of the buffet would also help and be sure to check the back for markings.
Pictures will be necessary if you wish to ask for any outside help from forums or free appraisals. Many appraisers can just look at pictures of the furniture and tell from the shape/design whether it is a Duncan Phyfe style (just as I am not certain the chair is true DF style and I'm also not sure about the legs/feet on the table).
Another member, Pghgirl will be able to help you more as she is considered our 'expert' on antique/vintage furniture and will provide more useful information.
thanks so much I will post pictures of the table chairs and buffet all together next week nov 15th as I will have it all set up in my dinning room and I asked her she said her family is very well off and was made for them shipped to new Brunswick as it has the Nb on the legs I will take all kind of pictures of the under the way its built and together thanks so much for your input I really am thankful
It is so nice to hear someone sound so excited about finding something like this. I hope you plan to keep it and enjoy having it in your home as I always feel a kinda 'warmth' when I walk into someone's home and see several antique or vintages pieces. I just cannot help but think about all the history behind these beautiful items and also know that someone will still be able to enjoy them in the future along with the history of another family.
oh I never been into this but after buying these pieces i am truly in love with the work and the beauty of the pieces i have been looking for some more old old pieces as I have found a hobby and really enjoy learning the history behide the pieces and artist involved so I will ask the ladies to write about the piece and the first second third now 5 owner myself try to keep it together for my kids in the long future thanks for answering me
From what you have supplied it is not possible to tell you one way or the other. Normally Ducan Phyfe furniture is marked in such a way that you can tell it was made by this company. What you are showing us here are just some numbers on the underside of the table with no plack or label from the company.
well u say knock off but the ladie says it's a real one I have more pictures of Mark's on it as u know he didnt have papers on his I have more pictures of some marking I found and I want to add pictures and pictures of the side buffet that goes with it u are saying knock off but then telling me u cant tell with the pictures I put up but thanks for your input
here are some more pictures of the table I found a mark on one of the feet if u look to me looks like a tree does anyone know what it is I am still waiting on the buffet as soon as I get will up load more pictures I love the table either way its beautiful thanks for everyone's help
Your piece is lovely and I don't think anyone is saying it is a "knock off". A knock off is a fake of something. Your piece appears to be a legitimate and authentic Duncan Phyfe STYLE piece made by one of many real furniture makers of the age. Your piece appears to be made somewhere between the 1920-1950's.
I understand it came from a 70 year old's grandmother. So if your friend is 70 in 2020, she was born in 1950--correct?
If her grandmother was 50 when your friend was born, the friend's grandmother would have been born in 1900, correct?
If her grandmother married in the 1920s and bought this dining set then--new and ordered and delivered to New Brunswick then it most likely built in that era. Now if her grandmother bought it from an antique store when she got married--maybe it could be an authentic DF piece...the person, Duncan Phyfe, died in 1854.
My feeling that it is a style piece is because DF pieces were hand crafted and yours is very well made--and appears to be machine made--see this image for what the handmade joiners would look like:
www.liveauctioneers.com/
I say machine made because it looks very smooth, clean lines, and even cuts) so it is (in my opinion--I am NOT a certified appraiser but I have been a reseller most of my life and I take great pride on my research skills and ever growing knowledge on all things old and cool) that would make it not made by the actual Duncan Phyfe--which would have rougher lines, uneven cuts and a hand sanded feel. Still this would have been an expensive set when new, and probably made by one of the many prominent companies who made this kind of furniture to honor the artist after he passed.
If you are sure it is handmade by the artist, then it would be important to have a certified appraiser look at the piece. Here is a finder:
www.appraisers.org/
If it is certified as authentic, you will need to talk to your insurance agent and have a special rider placed on the piece because the value of a complete set could range from $150,000 to $300,000.
If it is a style piece--depending on your market, an entire set could sell for in the range of $200-$2000.
Many of the originals are in museums and in places like the White House. I have never heard of any being "in the wild". I am hoping and praying you have one! Please post back with an update.
PS...here are a few good articles:
patch.com/
oh thanks so much I really do appreciate you answering me I really have no clue if it's a real Duncan Phyfe that's only what I was told by the lady that it's a real one it could be someone that did it after like you said I'm not too sure I'm only going on what the lady told me and yes the lady is 70 years old then her mother had it and her grandmother and I think her grandmother before but see I'm not too sure either way I love the piece I just wanted to find out some history on it I don't plan on getting rid of it I will update with pictures as soon as I get the side piece that comes with it the buffet the bottom piece I know it has to pull out drawers and two big drawers at the bottom I can't wait to get it so I can show it to you but I will definitely be looking into it and thank you so much for your time and effort
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