sliderarrowCloseMenushare_facebookshare_instagramshare_xshare_linkedinshare_threadsshare_shareshare_tranditionalshare_calendarshare_emailicon_threadsconnect_facebookconnect_instagramconnect_xconnect_youtubeconnect_atbtn_arrowhamburger-x
Skip to main content
Collections Menu

Duncan Phyfe

Duncan Phyfe
Duncan Phyfe
Photograph © The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston^

Duncan Phyfe

American, born Scotland, 1770–1854
BiographyDuncan Phyfe was born at Loch Fannich. He probably served an apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker. The Phyfe family emigrated to Albany, N.Y., in 1783 or 1784, where the father opened a cabinetmaking shop. Duncan soon went to New York City; he is listed in the New York Directory for 1792. He eventually settled on Partition (later Fulton) Street, buying additional property as his business expanded. His high-quality furniture was very much in demand in New York and Philadelphia. It is also believed that he had agents in the South.

Phyfe carried on the business under his own name until, in 1837, it was changed to Duncan Phyfe and Son. Ten years later, because he had amassed a great fortune, he decided to discontinue the business and sold the entire stock on hand at auction. Upon retirement he lived in the house on Fulton Street until his death in 1854.

Person TypePerson
Pierre Soulages
Pierre Soulages
French, 1919–2022
Image Not Available for Frank Freed
Frank Freed
American, 1906–1975
Pat Steir
Pat Steir
American, 1938–2026
Ruth Thorne-Thomsen
Ruth Thorne-Thomsen
American, 1943–2025
David Hockney
David Hockney
British, 1937–2026
Robert Irwin
Robert Irwin
American, 1928–2023
Ralph Stevenson
Ralph Stevenson
British, 1776–1853, active c. 1810–1833
Jess
Jess
American, 1923–2004
Tyler & Co.
Tyler & Co.
American, active mid-19th century
Beuford Smith
Beuford Smith
American, 1941–2025
Bendann Brothers
Bendann Brothers
Baltimore, MD, 1859–1873
D. Constant Jaccard
D. Constant Jaccard
American, born Switzerland, 1826–1899