Federal Furniture
FEDERAL STYLE
Following the Revolutionary War, the American republic referenced the Roman Republic in its designs to celebrate its independence and declare itself a powerful new country. Imbued with neoclassical elements like those being promoted by architect Robert Adam in Great Britain, antique Federal-style furniture was the first distinctly American style in its melding of ancient influences, European aesthetics and national pride.
Dating roughly from 1790 to 1830, the style featured angular furniture with saber legs and smooth surfaces that contrasted with the curvy Rococo style that was previously in fashion. Eagles were common ornamental motifs on Federal-period furniture, as were cornucopia, lyres, garlands and scrolls, adding subtle flair to pieces characterized by clean lines, geometric symmetry, balanced shapes and a sense of grandeur.
Instead of sculptural carvings, authentic Federal-style furniture was adorned with inlays and patterned veneers that showcased the rich character of different grains and types of wood. As social life tended to be informal in the young country, furniture was often lightweight, so it could be easily rearranged in a drawing room or bedroom. Pieces like dining tables with drop leaves and sideboards became popular, replacing larger chests of drawers.
The Federal style varied by region: Artisans in Charleston, South Carolina, decorated chairs with carved backs, for instance, while those in Baltimore, Maryland, preferred painted details. Its major proponents included father-and-son cabinetmakers John and Thomas Seymour in Boston, Duncan Phyfe and Charles-Honoré Lannuier in New York and Samuel McIntire in Salem, Massachusetts.
Find antique Federal tables, mirrors, storage cabinets and other Federal furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
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Style: Federal
Period: 19th Century
Regency Giltwood Convex Bullseye Mirror with Eagle Crest
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Regency or Federal Carved Giltwood Convex Bullseye Mirror with Eagle Pediment. Mirror is carved in giltwood and crowned with a boldly rendered eagle pediment. The circul...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair Federal Mahogany Upholstered Armchairs Attrib. to Ephraim Haines, C. 1805s
Located in Germantown, MD
A Fine and Rare Pair of Federal Carved Mahogany Armchairs. Finely carved, stained and Upholstered. Newer upholstery. Attributed to Ephraim Haines (1775-1837) and Henry Connelly (1770...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany, Hardwood
$4,057 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Rare Antique American Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa Settee Boston Massachusetts
Located in Dayton, OH
A Very Fine American Federal Period Carved Mahogany Sofa, circa 1810. Features a bowback frame with cross banding. Sloped arms lead to reeded supports in front of remarkable three-di...
Category
1810s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
$4,116 Sale Price
30% Off
Classical American Federal Gondola Sleigh Bed in Mahogany, Philadelphia, c. 1830
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite classical American gondola sleigh bed in fine West Indies mahogany from the Federal period in Philadelphia, circa 1830. Inspired by the aesthetic ideals of ancient Greek & Roman furniture popularized during the Empire & Federal period, this sleigh bed features shaped sideboards with an out-scrolled headboard...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Mahogany Federal Chippendale Gilt Eagle Acanthus Wall Vanity Mirror 45"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Federal / Chippendale style wall / mantel / vanity / mirror. Rectangular form, framed in mahogany with scrolling fretwork at the top and bottom, gold gilt border around the m...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
$1,575 Sale Price
30% Off
American Federal Period Pine Dresser Base and Plate Rack in Original Paint
Located in Richmond, VA
American Federal Period Pine Dresser Base and Plate Rack in Original Paint. Nice shaped cornice and apron. Original brown paint.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century Cherry Hand-Planed Gate-Legged, Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Louisville, KY
Not your ordinary drop-leaf table, this early 19th century cherry gate-leg, drop-leaf table was hand-planed and hand-turned to create a wonderful dining table that doubles as a conso...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
1800s American Federal Mahogany Butler
s Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 19th Century Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk recently refinished.
Measure 45.75" in width, 21" in depth and 44" in height.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$6,746 Sale Price
25% Off
19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table . Measures 17.5" in width close, 34" in width open, 24.5" in depth and stands 26" tall.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$896 Sale Price
25% Off
1800
s American Federal Period 2 Drawer Side Table
Located in Louisville, KY
This gorgeous American Federal period table is a beautiful reflection of the early 1800's. With hand turned legs, unique irregular lines ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form signed Willard on the reverse glass. Boston State house on lower panel. Brass eagle finial. Not currently working but can be.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th C. Federal Style Gilt Wood Mirror w/ Eagle
Cornucopias
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
19th century federal style mirror, hand carved and intact, two cornucopias filled flanking either side of the eagle.
Classic design element of the federal period (much like the convex mirror but without the distorted mirror)
Category
1880s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Plaster
19th Century Federal Drop Leaf Table. American, circa 1825
Located in Incline Village, NV
Nicely proportioned and well made early 19th century American mahogany drop leaf table with no restorations and in completely origina...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Ca. 1820 Federal Era Trompe L
oeil Painted Chest
Located in Peabody, MA
American Federal era chest of drawers in its original trompe l’oeil mustard painted finish, ca. 1820.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,275 Sale Price
30% Off
American Federal Style Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The chest in fine traditional form and having good graining with decorative line inlay. Raised on four carved feet with four long drawers with brass oval pulls and key escutcheons. ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
American Federal Southern Walnut Hinged Two Drawer Inlaid Sugar Chest, VA C 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal Southern walnut hinged top sugar chest with oval string inlays, two flanking drawers with brass pulls, central diamond escutcheons, and resting on the original turne...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Federal Flame Mahogany Secretary Unsigned 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote***
Antique Federal Flame Mahogany Secretary 19thC.
Measures - 93"H x 48.5"W x 23.5"D
An example of 19th-...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,960 Sale Price
20% Off
Federal Gilt Over Mantle Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive Federal gilt over mantle mirror in original condition. A classic traditional Neo Classical design with rope twist columns and a continuous row of gilt spheres as c...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Quality Pair Antique Brass Cannonball Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With cannonball tops on ring shaped supports mounted on scrolled legs with ball feet. The curved back long iron stand with ball finials.
Dimensions: H. 21", W. 12 3/4", Depth 19"
C...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Federal Style Bow Front Figured Mahogany Chest for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The fine chest with four graduated drawers each with fine string inlay and with a pair of brass oval bales decorated with a classical columned rotunda and brass key holes. All drawer...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
A Fine Inlaid Federal Sheraton Mahogany Chest, c.1820
Located in Savannah, GA
A fine inlaid federal sheraton mahogany chest of drawers, circa 1820.
Six drawers with half columns and conforming top. Finely inlaid drawer fronts. Chestnut secondary wood.
Po...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$12,000 / item
19th Century American 42 Star Flag, circa 1889
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century American 42 Star Flag, circa 1889, printed on linen period flag in the "Dancing Star" pattern. This was never an official U.S. flag sanctioned b y congress, but was made...
Category
1880s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Linen
NYC Federal Full Tester Bed Attributable to Lannuier w Four Floral-Carved Posts
By Charles-Honoré Lannuier
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exceptional American Federal sleigh bed with tester in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany with beautifully-articulated floral and acanthus-leaf carvings, along the crest of the headboard and footboard, and on the four posts, attributable to the French-born cabinetmaker Charles-Honoré Lannuier...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
An Interesting Account of the Voyages and Travels of Captains Lewis and Clarke
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Fisher, William. An Interesting Account of the Voyages and Travels of Captains Lewis and Clarke, in the Years 1804-5, & 6... Baltimore: P. Mauro, 1813. 12mo. Illustrated. Rebound in...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Paper
Federal Figured Maple Chest
Located in Acton, MA
Federal figured Maple Chest with a flame birch case. This elegant chest sits high ups up on a figured bracket for base. The four cock-beaded drawers feature inlayed cherry shield sha...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
American Federal Period Chest of Drawers, Circa 1800
Located in Doylestown, PA
A Federal period chest of drawers in mahogany with a deep top drawer decorated with satinwood inlay, over 3 smaller drawers on simple f...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,650 Sale Price
37% Off
Antique American 4 Poster Acanthus Carved Southern Bed in Mahogany, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Period Antique Federal American 4 poster bed in West Indies mahogany, c. 1820. A fine example of a Southern bed featuring carved tobacco and acanthus leaves in a fine tight grained C...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Connecticut Mahogany Slant Front Desk, c.1800
Located in Savannah, GA
A Connecticut mahogany slant front desk on french feet with original 15 star eagle pulls, circa 1800.
Some provenance and notations with dates on lopers. Friction fit interior door....
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form with white enamel dial and reverse painted waist and pendulum door. With key and pendulum.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Federal Style Carved
Gilt Eagle Wall Brackets
Located in Milford, NH
A finely carved and gilt pair of eagle wall brackets with shaped base and spherule decoration. The pair of eagles are facing each other and date to the 19th century with brackets add...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Case Clock, Jedediah Weiss, Bethlehem
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Federal cherry tall case clock with a brass eight day works signed Jedediah Weiss Bethlehem, with beautiful inlay including a contrasting fan carving above the waist d...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Maple, Satinwood
19th Century Federal Chest
Located in Acton, MA
Circa 1830 cherry wood chest of drawers with. four beaded drawers. The top drawer being oversized for ample storage with three graduated drawers below. The piece is constructed with ...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Antique American Federal Flame Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive antique early 19th century Federal Period flame Mahogany secretary and bookcase. The bookcase features an eighteen pane Gothic arched cabinet...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
$5,600 Sale Price
30% Off
Pair Large 19th C. American Federal Empire Brass Curtain Tie Backs.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair Large 19th C. American Federal Empire Brass Curtain Tie Backs.
An elegant pair of American Empire floral motif curtain tie backs. Large, 5 Inc...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard, circa 1800-1820
Located in Houston, TX
A refined Federal mahogany inlaid sideboard, circa 1800-1820, possibly southern. It embodies the elegance and architectural restraint of the early American republic. Crafted in ric...
Category
Early 19th Century North American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Antique Federal American Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive Federal Period Mahogany secretary and bookcase, circa 1830s. The bookcase features an eighteen pane gothic arched cabinet fro...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
19th Century Federal Inlaid Mahogany Demilune Fold Top Console / Card Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Federal Inlaid Mahogany Demilune Fold Top Console / Card Table in clean antique Condition. Measures 36" in width, 17.5" in depth folded, 35" in depth unfolded and 29.5...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$2,021 Sale Price
25% Off
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique American Federal / Georgian style mahogany drop leaf dining table featuring rectangular form with two large drop leaves, gatelegs, and brass castors. Circa early 19th centur...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,295 Sale Price
30% Off
19th Century Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers. Measures 36" in width, 20" in depth and 34" in height.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,455 Sale Price
25% Off
19th Century Mahogany Dining Table with Leaves with Brass Clips
Located in Huntington, NY
Table has 2 end sections and 2 leaves and brass clips. The table can be used as a pair
of side table against the wall. Great color and patina
Dimension...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$4,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Discover timeless elegance with this fantastic American Centennial solid walnut Philadelphia carved secretary desk, a true testament to 19th-cent...
Category
1870s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$2,796 Sale Price
20% Off
American Federal Gilt Wood Convex Mirror with Perched Eagle to Flee, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal gilt carved wood and gesso convex mirror with perched eagle to flee, flanking acanthus scrolled foliage, interior circular spheres, ebonized reeded ring, and termina...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Ebony
19th Century American Hand Carved Gilded Pediment Eagle
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th century American hand carved gilded pediment eagle.
Antique decorative hand carved and gilded wooden pediment eagle. The expressive sculpture w...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Antique Centennial American Federal Gilded Carved Eagle and Mahogany Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Celebrate American heritage with this Antique Centennial American Federal Wall Mirror, featuring a majestic carved giltwood eagle crest and elegant mahogany frame. Crafted around the...
Category
1870s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mahogany
Antique American Double Lemon Top Federal Style Brass Andirons
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a classic and classy pair of antique brass andirons in the Federal double lemon style. They are in good condition with only the expected wear from age and use and would be a ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique American Mahogany Federal Carved Corner Cabinet East Tennessee 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique American carved mahogany late Federal period corner cabinet, East Tennessee, circa 1820.
The cabinet with a twin 'Swan's Neck' pediment to the top with carved rosettes...
Category
1820s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Glass
Pair of Federal Cannonball Iron and Brass Andirons, Circa 1800s
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair Early 19th Century Federal iron and Brass Large Cannon Ball Andirons. Measures 13.5" in width, 21.5" in depth and 21" in height.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$2,246 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Monumental Philadelphia Federal Period Gilt
Mahogany Eagle Mirror
By John Pollard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental American Federal Gilt and Mahogany Eagle Mirror with Oak Garland Swags, Attributed to a Philadelphia Workshop of John Pollard, Circa 1800
A monumental and masterfully car...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Federal Butlers Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Very attractive Mahogany southern Federal Butlers Desk probably mid Atlantic states around 1820-30. Large bottle drawers on either side of a nicely fi...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,895
Tobacco Leaf Carved Mahogany Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
Tobacco Leaf Carved Mahogany Dining Table. Late Federal / American Empire mahogany drop-leaf table with hand carved tobacco leaf legs on original brass casters supporting a commodiou...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique American Federal Painted Walnut Side Table, Mid 19th Century
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful American colonial or Federal style painted walnut candle stand or side table
USA, Mid 19th Century
Measures: 23.5"W x 11.75"D x 24.13"H.
Good original vintage condition.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Paint
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison Ship
s Passport Signed, November 5, 1804
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This rare official document, dated November 5, 1804, is signed by both Thomas Jefferson as the nation's third President and James Madison as Secretary of State. The document, partial...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Federal Cherrywood Bureau Cabinet / Desk, circa 1790
Located in Houston, TX
This Federal Cherrywood Bureau cabinet dates to 1790. It is a beautifully preserved example of early American Federal craftsmanship. The piece combines graceful proportions, warm p...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Large Federal Carved Giltwood and Eglomise Overmantel Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Large and Rare Federal Carved Giltwood and Eglomise Overmantel Mirror. Mirror is flanked by double gilded columns on each side, with mirrored inserts that enhance the sense of dept...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Federal Boston Lyre Games Table Attrib. Thomas Seymour
Thomas Wightman, c 1815
By Thomas Seymour
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very fine Federal card table attributable to renown Boston cabinetmaker, Thomas Seymour (1771-1848) with carvings likely by Thomas Wightman (1759-1827), Boston, circa 1815. The top...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Very Fine Antique Secretary Bookcase with Brass Eagle Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Well constructed with fine mahogany veneer with Federal style brass eagle finial on a pedestal. The carved cornice with urn form finials over a carv...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Antique Two Tier Wash Stand in Original Green Paint
Located in Southampton, NJ
A single drawer two tier wash stand with dovetail joinery & original green paint. Circa mid 19th century. Additional dimensions: lower shelf: 7" H / table top: 29.25" H.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
$1,795 / item
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Mahogany Campaign Officers Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most unusual Federal period mahogany campaign field desk from the early 19th century. Believed to have been used as a maritime sea capta...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Mahogany, Poplar
"Washington and His Generals" Engraving by A. H. Ritchie, circa 1870
By Alexander Hay Ritchie
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a large, handsome engraving entitled Washington and His Generals by Alexander H. Ritchie, one of the best historical printmakers of the mid-nineteenth century. Ritchie is par...
Category
1870s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
American Federal Drop Leaf Dining Table in West Indies Mahogany New York, c 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome American Federal or Empire Pembroke table in fine West Indies mahogany with two drop leaves. This period breakfast table is supported by a reeded, vase-turned column on a ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Federal furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal furniture made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, Kindel Furniture, Drexel, and Edward F. Caldwell
Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $115,000 while the average work can sell for $2,800.
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