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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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Federal
American Federal Carved Giltwood Eagle Pediment Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal style (20th Century) large carved giltwood wall mirror with carved eagle pediment, scroll detail, and two decorative columns featuring five-pointed stars.
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Antique Silk Broadside An Elegiac Poem Death of President George Washington 1800
Located in Portland, OR
An important & rare antique American political printed silk broadside, an elegy on the death of President George Washington, dated 1800. A poem on the Death of President George Was...
Category

1790s Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Silk

New York Federal / Sheraton Pembroke or Drop-Leaf Table in Mahogany, circa 1810
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A fine example of an American Federal drop-leaf table in West Indies mahogany, from New York, circa 1810. The solid rectangular top with curved drop-leaves features a beautiful figur...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

American Federal Rectangular Giltwood Eagle Pediment Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal (19th Century) rectangular giltwood wall mirror surmounted on a stepped platform with a carved gilt eagle holding metal chain swags over an an egg and dart design f...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

19th Century Federal Mahogany Lift Top Writing Desk / Work Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Federal Mahogany Lift Top Writing Desk or Work Table. Features two drawers with working keys. One drawer without key. Top opens up...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mahogany Hepplewhite or Sheraton Sideboard With Satinwood Inlay
Located in Southampton, NJ
Fabulous early 20th century English style Sheraton or Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Serpentine Sideboard with superb figured form, handsome Satinwood inlay detailing and cast brass lion...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Baker Furniture Style Federal Carved Mahogany Side Chairs or Dining Chairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Federal or Hepplewhite style shield back side chairs or dining chairs In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid carved mahogany frames...
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Baker Furniture Style Federal Carved Mahogany Shield Back Armchairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Federal or Hepplewhite style shield back armchairs or dining captain chairs In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid carved mahogany ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Baker Furniture Style Federal Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of Six
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Federal or Hepplewhite style shield back dining chairs In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid carved mahogany frames, with uphol...
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Mid 20th Century Solid Mahogany Federal Kidney Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century Solid Mahogany Federal Kidney Desk in great vintage condition. Top newly and professionally refinished and flawlessly working drawers Measures 46" in width x 22" in...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mahogany Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
A fine quality Mahogany Partners Desk from Niagara Furniture with raised door panels and a rich brown color finish similar to that found in English antiques. The three-paneled writin...
Category

2010s Federal Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Federal Style Mahogany Three-Seat Bench
Located in Astoria, NY
Federal Style Mahogany Three-Seat Bench, the back splats with X and column form spindles, with blue and red checkered cushion on fluted tapered feet. 32" H x 53" W x 18" D; seat: 18...
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Kindel Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard Credenza With Brass Gallery
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hepplewhite or Federal style sideboard, buffet, or credenza By Kindel Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with satinwood inlay, and original brass hardware and gallery...
Category

1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Kittinger Solid Mahogany Figural Top Side End Table Stand MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Kittinger Solid Mahogany Figural Top Side End Table Stand MINT
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 25" H x 66.5" W x 4.75" D.
Category

19th Century Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Wood

Round Mahogany Single Pedestal Drum to Duning Table w/ 2 Extension Boards Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Round Mahogany Single Pedestal Drum Center Opens to Compact Dining Table w/ 2 Extension Boards Mint 2 leaves 12in x 36in each with an extended table length of 60in
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Kittinger Colonial Williamsburg Federal Mahogany Tilt Top Table Candle Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
A Federal style mahogany candlestand by Kittinger, circa 1970s. Williamburg Restoration Line. Features a rectangular top with serpentine edge over a baluster turned base with cabriol...
Category

1970s Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Federal Period Massachusetts Mahogany Secretary Desk with Cylinder Tambour
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal mahogany two part secretary desk, with a dentil molded cornice surmounting an upper bookcase with two 16 pane glazed glass doors with satinwood line inlay, opening to three interior shelves, over a lower case with a cylinder tambour, opening to a compartmentalized interior with central open valanced cubbies flanked by eight fitted drawers over a felted writing surface and three long drawers with flame mahogany bookmatched veneers, line inlay, and punched oval brasses, and dovetailed construction, all supported by four splayed feet. This splendid secretary desk most likely is of MA origin and dates to circa 1790-1810 and is in very good condition, with some surface & shelf restorations, minor escutcheon and surface losses, as well as light wear commensurate with age and use. Includes a 2001 bill of...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Cast-Iron Eagle Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a cast-iron figural eagle doorstop, circa early 20th century. The eagle is depicted with wings spread wide, perched and mounted to a square marble base. The eagle retains traces of its original gilt surface and is embossed with “F.O.E.” at its midsection, possibly referring to the Fraternal Order of Eagles.   The eagle is both the national bird and the national animal of the United States. The eagle motif has been widely used throughout American history, most notably as part of our Great Seal. The founders of the United States were fond of comparing their new republic with the Roman Republic, in which eagle imagery, usually the golden eagle, was prominent. On June 20, 1782, the Continental Congress adopted the design for the Great Seal of the United States...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Marble, Iron

Pair Federal Style Mahogany and Maple with Cane Seat Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Federal Style Mahogany back and Maple Frame with Cane Seat Side Chairs. Measures 18" in width, 18" in depth and 33" in height. Seat height is 17"
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

American Federal Églomisé and Giltwood Trapezoidal Pier Mirror
By John Doggett
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American Federal Églomisé and Giltwood Trapezoidal Pier Mirror with Green Ground, Attributed to Doggett School, Boston, circa 1815 A rare and architecturally distinctive early 19th-century American Federal mirror...
Category

1810s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

1930s Federal Style Mahogany and Crewel Upholstered Settee
Located in Germantown, MD
1930s Federal Style Mahogany and Crewel Upholstered Settee in good condition. Measures 44" in width, 24" in depth 38" in height. Seat height is 17" and arm height is 27". Seat inte...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Great set of 6 19th century federal style shield back mahogany dining chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Great set of 6 19th century federal style shield back mahogany dining chairs, recently reupholstered. Great quality carving througho...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Tall Solid Brass Harvin Co. Federal Style Andirons
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Federal style andirons made from high quality cast brass pieces assembled. Tall and elegant in excellent vintage condition with...
Category

1950s American Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Early American Federal Period Flame Mahogany Antique Wash Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and stunning Federal period (1789-1823) early American flame mahogany wash stand. circa 1810 Exquisitely hand-crafted in the Northeastern United States in the early 19th cent...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

1900 Gilt Bronze Federal Style Large Sconces 3 Lights
Located in New York, NY
1900 Federal style Caldwell 3 lights bronze sconces unusual large size
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Carved and Dated Oak Chest, Mid 18th Century
Located in Houston, TX
This 18th century carved and dated oak chest retains its old surface with warm patina. Truly one of a kind, the front is decorated with carved initials I.D. and date 1742. It inclu...
Category

1740s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Oak

Virginia Metal Crafters Federal Style Polished Brass Dolphin Fireplace Tool Set
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite set of Federal Style Polished Brass Dolphin Fireplace Tool Set by Virginia Metal Crafters. Excellent vintage condition. Vir...
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Brass Urn Wrought Iron Federal Style Branch Leg Fireplace Andirons
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Add a touch of classic American elegance to your hearth with this striking pair of 20th-century Federal-style fireplace andirons. Each andiron features a beautifully detailed engrave...
Category

20th Century Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

19th C Crotch Mahogany Federal Drop Leaf Breakfast Dining Table with Drawer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th century Crotch Mahogany federal drop leaf breakfast dining table w/ drawer. Item Drop leaf sides, twin carved legs, (1) faux drawer, (1) dovetailed drawer, rolling caste...
Category

19th Century Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Federal Brass Wire Fireplace Fender Three Piece Tool Set C1810
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Federal Brass & Wire Fireplace Fender & Three Piece Tool Set C1810 Measures- Hook: 26.75"L x 1.5"W x 1.5"D; Poker - 29.75"L x 1.5"W x 1.5"D Tongs: 27.75"L x 3.75"W x 1.5"D; G...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wire

Kittinger 5 Drawers Pull Out Tray Mahogany Federal Style Bachelor Chest Dresser
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Kittinger 5 drawers pull out tray mahogany federal style bachelor chest dresser. Lockable drawer.
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Federal Mahogany Inlaid Fold Top Card Table Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Federal Mahogany Fold Top Card Table of Console Table. Inlaid and Crotch Mahogany front and sides. Measures 36" in width, 17.5" in depth folded, 35" in depth unfolded a...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Federal Style Sabin Crest -O- Gold Warranted 22K Gold Dinner Plate, Set of 6
Located in Plainview, NY
A Classical American federal style set of 6 vintage Sabin Crest-O-Gold 22K Gold Trim dinner Plates. Used to serve your favorite dessert or t...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Gold

Pair Louis XV Style Antique Brass and Iron Andirons, Circa 1880s
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Louis XV Style Antique Brass and Iron Andirons, Circa 1880s. Measures 10" in width, 21" in depth and 16.5" in height.
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Federal Highball Cocktail Glasses
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of five (5) highball cocktail glasses in the Federal style, circa mid-20th century, USA. Gold eagle and shield are font/center, flanke...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Glass

Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pedestal Pierced Gallery Tray Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Quadpod Pedestal Pierced Gallery Tray Table with Brass Paw Feet. Measures 22.25" in width , 17" on depth, 27.5" in height.
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Federal Mahogany and Birdseye Maple Lap Desk on Stand, Circa 1810s
Located in Germantown, MD
A Federal Era Mahogany and Birdseyes Maple Lap Desk on Stand, Circa 1810s Measures 22.5" in width, 11.5" in depth and 22" in height. Without stand , 22" in width, 11" in depth and 8....
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Mahogany

Yew Wood Drop Leaves Two Drawers Low Profile Brass Feet Desk Console Table MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Yew Wood Drop Leaves Two Drawers Low Profile Brass Feet Desk Console Table MINT 2x 11" leaves with an extended table length of 63".
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Late 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Mahogany and Upholstered Armchair Desk Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Mahogany and Upholstered Armchair Desk Chair Measures 25.5" in width, 23" in depth and 44.5" in height. Seat height is 20" and arm height is 27.5". ...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Baker Banded Mahogany One Drawer Drop Leaves Pembroke End Side Lamp Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Baker Banded Mahogany One Drawer Drop Leaves Pembroke End Side Lamp Table MINT! 2x8” leaves with an extended table diameter of 31"
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Zabihi Collection White Blue Color Vintage Chinese Rug
Located in New York, NY
A 3rd quarter of the 20th century Chinese rug in white and blue Details rug no. j3396 size 5' 6" x 7' 10" (168 x 239 cm)
Category

20th Century Chinese Federal Furniture

Materials

Wool

American Federal style Mahogany and Gold Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal style mahogany and gold trim wall mirror having an arched top and a gold urn finial placed in the center of the arch
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Gold

Antique American Federal Gilt Carved Overmantle Triple Mirror with Gold Eagle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique American Federal Gilt Carved Overmantle Triple Mirror with Gold Eagle. Item f...
Category

Early 20th Century Federal Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Pair Hickory Chair Federal Style Mahogany Inlay Upholstered Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Hickory Chair Furniture Federal Style Upholstered Mahogany Armchairs in great vintage condition. Measures 25" in width, 25" in depth, 36" in height, 18" seat height. Arm heig...
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

American Cherry Candle Stand
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very interesting American cherry candle stand with exaggerated spider arched legs giving it a contemporary feel.
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Cherry

American Empire Pier Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
An early Empire giltwood pier mirror with rope twist split column, flower basket and leaf blocks with acorn spherules and original mercury glass, c.1815-1840. 29 inches wide by 5 ¼...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Vintage Brandt Flip Top Piano Style Small Cherry Wood Writing Desk Console Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Brandt Flip Top Piano Style Small Cherry Wood Writing Desk Console Table. Ite...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture

Materials

Cherry

A Federal Mahogany Mirror with Eagle Motif, American ca. 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Federal Mahogany Mirror with Gilt Eagle Crest and Bronze Dore Accents.
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood

American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open outstretched wings standing on foliate branches and 13 small spheres representing t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

19th Century Continental Style Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Continental Style Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror. Measures 19" in width 34.5" in height.
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Mirror, Giltwood

Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Two Tier Barley Twist Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid century Federal style Mahogany two tier barley twist side table in very good vintage condition. Measures 18.25" square and stand...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Sheridan Federal Style Mahogany Wood Tilt Top Accent Side Tea Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sheridan Federal Style Mahogany Wood Tilt Top Accent Side Tea Table. Item features a round tilting top, tripod pedestal base, solid wood construction. Circa Mid 20th Century....
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Mahogany Wood Federal Style Credenza / Sideboard
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your dining space with this exquisite Early 19th Century Mahogany Wood Federal Style Sideboard/Credenza with a charming backsplash over a shaped top. Crafted in the distingui...
Category

1820s Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Boston State House Staffordshire Blue White Pottery Pair of Plates
Located in Downingtown, PA
Boston State House Staffordshirepair of pottery plates John Rogers & Son, 1825 This Rogers underglaze blue printed plate of the Boston State Ho...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

18th Century Federal Oak Corner Cabinet / Cupboard
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 18th Century Federal Oak Corner Cabinet / cupboard. Measures 26.75" in width, 14.75" in depth, 36.75" in height. Side is 17.5" in depth.  
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Oak

American Federal Mahogany and Inlaid Sideboard
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a small, but sophisticated American Federal inlaid mahogany bow front breakfront sideboard. The top has a straight edge over a central drawer and central tambour cabinet door...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Flip Top Mahogany One Drawer Console Game Sofa Breakfast Top MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Flip Top Mahogany One Drawer Console Game Sofa Breakfast Top MINT
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Philadelphia Brass Andirons with Roman Columns and Ball Finials
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A GORGEOUS Pair of Early 19C Philadelphia Brass Andirons with Roman Columns and Ball Finials. Made in Philadelphia, circa 1800 ...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

1930s American Federal Inlaid Mahogany 3-Part Banquet Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An amazing 1930s American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Three Part, 14 legs Banquet Dining Table . Measures 126" in width, 48" in depth and stands 30.5" tall. Detach this table to have two large demilune...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

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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