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Article: An important rosewood and cast-iron gueridon attributed to Duncan Phyfe and Sons.
- Article from:
- The Magazine Antiques
- Article date:
- May 1, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2000 Brant Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The small gueridon with a rosewood apron, marble top, and cast-iron base shown in Plate I was discovered in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1996. Inscribed in lead or charcoal on the bottom of the marble top is "Phife/& Sons" (Fig. 1), linking the table to Duncan Phyfe, one of New York City's preeminent cabinet makers in the early nineteenth century. Not only is the gueridon the only known piece of furniture employing cast iron attributed to Phyfe, but, dating between about 1837 and 1840, it also represents one of the earliest documented use of cast iron for formal indoor furniture in the United States. My research on the table uncovered fascinating information about its ...