Philip Burke Antiques

Affleck, Thomas:

born in Aberdeen, Scotland, he learned his trade in London where, as a young man in 1763, he was chosen by John Penn, commissioned governor of Pennsylvania, to go with him to Phila¬delphia as resident cabinet-maker. Affleck died there in 1795, a prominent citizen who counted among his friends eminent persons such as Benjamin Franklin. He is generally reckoned the most skilful cabinet-maker in eighteenth-century Pennsylvania and the leader of the Philadelphia Chippendale school. Evidence indicates that he owned a copy of Chippendale's Directory; and several of his documented chairs do closely parallel certain plates in the Director. Joseph Downs says that Affleck's Philadelphia work £brought an unparalleled urbanity of... Chippendale pattern to Philadelphia furniture'.

Allison, Michael:

New York cabinet-maker who flourished about 1800-20. Some of his furniture is stamp punched; many of his other pieces have been attributed to Duncan Phyfe.

Appleton, Nathaniel:

early nineteenth-century Salem, Mass., cabinet-maker dis-tinguished for his furniture in the Federal styles.

Ash, Gilbert:

much-respected New York joiner and chairmaker (b. 1717, d. 1785). Some of the earliest American Chippendale chairs were from his hand. He often repeated, with attractive variations, the diamond lattice-back chair.

Burling, Thomas:

New York cabinet-maker (fl. 1772, d. 1800), whose superior skill has been established by five or six examples which still bear his label. He was selected by George Washington in 1795 to make a 'writing desk and apparatus' (price 40 guineas) for the first official residence of the President.

Chapin, Eliphalet:

leading member (b. 1-41. d. 1807) of a well-known Connecticut family of furniture-makers. Eliphalet prac-c:-ed for a time in Philadelphia, with the result that the Chippendale highboys and secretaries made by the Chapins incorporated Philadelphia features such as elegant pedi-ments with delicately pierced scrolls and a fancy finial. But they are generally in Con-necticut cherrywood rather than mahogany, and far simpler than Philadelphia work; indeed, show the spare ornament, narrow proportions and slender vertical rhythms prevalent in New England.

Claggett, William H.:

Newport, Rhode Island, master clockmaker (b. 1716, d. 1749 ?). In youth he had a brief career in Boston, where he may have been trained.

Cogswell, John:

one of the most dis-tinguished of Boston cabinet-makers (fl. 1769, d. 1818), whose work is more elaborate than was the custom in New England. Perhaps best known for his Chippendale bookcases and bombe chests of drawers; also, together with his son, Junior, for Hepplewhite and Sheraton sideboards and blue-lined tambour desks.

Disbrowe, Nicholas:

earliest known American furniture-maker (b. 1612/3), d. 1683). Born in Walden, Essex, England, the son of a joiner. One of the settlers (before 1639) of Hartford, Conn. A signed chest made by him shows flat-carving of tulips covering the entire front, and might be called the first of the so-called Hadley chests.

Dunlap, Samuel (II):

New Hampshire cabinet-maker (b. 1751, d. 1830) known for his maple highboys and secretaries with a distinctively scrolled pediment and interlaced cornice. Leading member of a New Hamp¬shire furniture-making family that included John I, John II, and Samuel I.

Edgerton, Matthew:

leading cabinet-maker of New Brunswick, New Jersey (fl. 1742, d. 1787). Several fine examples of his skill have been identified from existing labelled pieces.

Elfe, Thomas:

perhaps the most promi-nent of the Charleston, South Carolina, cabinet-makers (fl. 1751-71). His elaborate Chippendale mahogany case pieces are much prized. He employed a dozen or more Negro slaves, trained craftsmen, whom he owned.

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