The House of Miniatures

THoM Product # 40044 - Lyre Back Chair

Catalog Description: The period splat and deeply curved front legs are authentic, elegant details captured in miniature. Upholstered seat. 2 3/4"h x 1 1/2"w x 1 3/4"d.

Circa: 1800

Style: Duncan Phyfe

Period: Regency

Design © 1979

This chair is typical of the graceful designs of the New York cabinetmaker, Duncan Phyfe in the early part of the 1800's. The design of this chair was his interpretation of the Directoire made during that period when the American taste was being influenced by French designs. The strings of the lyre shaped splat were often thin brass rods and the frame of the lyre was decorated with a carved acanthus-leaf design. The front of the back supports, side rails, and front legs were sometimes carved with a continuous fluting from top to bottom. Some versions had the front legs terminating in foot shaped like an animals paw. The shape of the in-curved front legs was borrowed from the Greek "klismos" shape and was used extensively by Phyfe and other cabinetmakers as furniture designs took form to give us the Empire Period in America. Mahogany was the principle wood used by Phyfe for this chair. Despite the fragile appearance of this design, the sturdiness of its construction have allowed many examples of this piece to survive.

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