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
Place of Origin: American
An Early Federal Mahogany and Satinwood Game Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A beautiful federal period game table with nicely shaped top. The flame mahogany, with graceful satinwood inlay with hand carved capitols over the tapered fluted legs. The table wi...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Pair of American Federal Painted Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Federal faux bamboo painted side chairs with spindle back and rush seat with cushion
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo
$3,600 / set
American Federal Mahogany Bow Front One-Drawer Server with Brass Pulls. C.1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany bow front one-drawer server with a one board top, original brass floral pulls and escutcheon, and resting on the original turned bulbous ringed legs, Early ...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of Burl Wood Oval Nesting Tables by Baker
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of oval Baker nesting stacking side end lamp tables stands.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Burl
$1,600 / set
Federal Corner Cupboard in Early Yellow Paint with Glazed Doors
Barrel Back
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a one piece Federal period New England corner cupboard with a barrel back , a molded cornice with dentil molding surmounting two upper case glazed glass multi-panel...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Pine
American Federal Maple Candlestand
Located in Essex, MA
Circular fixed top with umbrella shaped inlay of exotic woods. Turned support with tripod splayed legs.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Vintage Federal Flame Mahogany Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stately vintage Federal-style tall chest of drawers, crafted from magnificent flame mahogany, exudes timeless elegance and sophisticated charm. The exceptional grain of the flam...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century American cherry one drawer stand with turned legs and feet
Located in Richmond, VA
Great little 19th Century American cherry one drawer stand with turned legs, feet and 2 board top
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
American Brass and Artistic Wire Work Fire Place Fender, New York, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass and artistic wire work fire place fender, New York. Early 19th century.
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wire
Antique Federal Bow Front Three Drawer Shaving Mirror c. 1830
Located in Westfield, MA
This elegant Federal period bow front shaving mirror, dating to around 1830, is a fine example of early 19th century American craftsmanship. Made in richly figured mahogany, the mirr...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 4 American Federal Tiger Maple Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 American Country Federal style (19th Cent) tiger maple side chairs with a stretcher and rush seat
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
American Philadelphia Empire Cheval Mirror, circa 1825
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Dereham, GB
American Philadelphia Empire mahogany cheval mirror, circa 1825.
Certainly has the quality of top Philadelphia cabinet maker.
The oval mirror with ribbon moulding on front of frame,
fan carving on top and bottom of mirror frame,
mirror sitting in tapering reeded columns with flared petals and turnings on top.
Tulip carving at bottom,with the column square edges supporting the reeded cross stretcher,
medallion turnings on outside,
carved corbels each side,above
shaped reeded end supporting legs with scrolled ends,
turnings under with brown china wheels...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$3,833 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Philadelphia Federal Coin Silver Ice Tongs
Located in New York, NY
Federal coin silver ice tongs, ca 1830. U-form with cast talon jaws. Marked “J. Peters & Co.”, for James Peters & Co., a Philadelphia silversmith active in the early years of the Rep...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
Eagle Design Gilt Bronze Sconces With Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930's Eagle design gilt bronze sconces with convex mirrored backplate, one light
Category
1930s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Rosewood Domed Top Bookcase With Brass Ormula
Located in Pueblo, CO
This is a very rare stately Rosewood cabinet with brass ormula fittings. Base section has full drawer with carved pulls above a two door cabinet with shelf, upper section is a dome ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,880 Sale Price
24% Off
1940s Federal Style 6-Arm Brass Chandelier Nickel Plated with Original Patina
Located in New York, NY
This federal style 6 light chandelier is original to the 1940's and is nickel pated over brass with the original patina. It has elegant arms surrounding an urn shaped body and featur...
Category
1940s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Federal Style Circular Mirror, Giltwood Wall / Pier / Vanity
Located in Manhasset, NY
Federal style circular mirror, giltwood wall / Pier / vanity
A Petite Federal style mirror that would compliment any Hollywood Regency or Mid-Century Modern décor. fine giltwood c...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Vintage Regency Gilt Federal Convex Eagle Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a grand statement with this stunning Vintage Regency Gilt Federal Convex Eagle Mirror. A true masterpiece of Federal-style design, this mirror features a convex glass center fra...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Large Cast New England Bank Patriotic Eagle and Clipper Ship Plaque
Located in Nantucket, MA
Cast and Gilded Patriotic Eagle with Clipper Ship Plaque, with a Clutch of Arrows and an Olive Branch in it's Talons, mid 20th Century, from a Boston Bank...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Composition
Regency Brass Andirons
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a classic pair of American Federal c. 1800 Solid Brass Andirons. The andiron are of classical form but are detailed with an unusual Corinthian Column capitol located just bel...
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$2,250
Gilt Bronze Bust of George Washington
Located in Montreal, QC
Although the first American President has been much portrayed in paint and bronze; I have not been successful in locating another bronze on which this is based. He is dressed as General Washington...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
American Federal Side Portrait of an Officer
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal print portrait in silhouette of a gentleman in a distressed gold frame
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Outstanding Large Oak Carved Eagle Grasping Shield
Three Arrows
Located in Stamford, CT
Outstanding large oak carved eagle grasping shield with three arrows in his talons; most probably by a Philadelphia carver. Found in East Boothbay, Maine at collector's home. Arrows ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Oak
1890s Era Solid Mahogany Chippendale Corner Cabinet Cupboard Hand Blown Glass
Located in Long Branch, NJ
1890s Era Solid Mahogany Chippendale Corner Cabinet Cupboard Hand Blown Glass
Measures 44 wide x 93 tall x 22 deep
sides 30 inches against wall
This 2 piece corner cabinet is de...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of American Federal Brass Flanking Urn Finial Engraved Andirons Phil C 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American Federal brass andirons with flanking urn finials, matching urn finial log stops, engraved swags on skirt, and resting on banded...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late Federal Parquetry Candlestand
Located in Essex, MA
Circular top veneered with geometric kaleidoscope inlays. Banded edge and turned support ending on three S-scroll legs. Provenance: Estate of Michael Kittredge.
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Document Box 19th Century American
Located in Hudson, NY
A spectacular and fine, dovetailed poplar, rosewood grain painted and ebonized document box. The gold stenciling is of a very fine quality. Retains the original fire gilded steel bai...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold, Steel
Price Upon Request
Early 19th Century American Federal Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
This American Federal-period overmantel composition mirror features a gilt carved wood and gesso frame. A sculpted eagle is perched above an églomisé panel depicting flowers. Separating the panels of original mirror glass are engaged Corinthian columns, and atop each of the ends are flame-and-leaf finials. The mirror is of an unusual design, but two Federal-period New York mirrors...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Price Upon Request
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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