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
Antique Letters with Central Oval Portrait in a Wooden Frame
Located in Queens, NY
American (19th Century) copy collection of two letters from the 1830s in a white mat with a central oval printed portrait of a gentleman (Otis Cafron) in a gold wooden frame.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold
Green Persian Mahal Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th century Persian Mahal rug.
15'' x 18''
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
$199 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Quality Italian Made Federal Style Tall Gilded Carved Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine quality Italian-made Federal style wall mirror is a striking example of timeless elegance and craftsmanship. The tall and commanding form is enhanced by a richly hand-carve...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Federal Turned Legs Mahogany Low Side Table Tea Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A federal style turned legs Mahogany low Side Table. Table has been recently refinished and is in very good condition. Measures 26" W x 22" D x 15" H.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,046 Sale Price
25% Off
Federal Flame Mahogany Banded Serpentine Front 6 Legged Console Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Federal Flame Mahogany Banded Serpentine Front 6 Legged Console Table MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
American Federal Gilt Carved Convex Eagle Pediment Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal convex giltwood wall mirror with ball design, fluted ebonized border, and eagle pediment top.
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Bonnet Top Highboy with Pinwheel Carvings
Impressive Size
Located in Milford, NH
A Queen Anne style bonnet top highboy with swan’s neck split pediment with urn form finials surmounting an upper case with three pinwheel carvings over three fitted drawers, the cent...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
Mid-Century American Federal Style Brass Fireplace Tools Set of 6
Located in Germantown, MD
Six piece set Mid-Century American Federal Style Brass Fireplace Tools, include a 46.5' Blo Poke tool.
Stand is 32" tall.
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$1,406 Sale Price
25% Off
19th Century Mortar
Pestle with Original Surface
Located in New York, NY
American, late 18th century/early 19th century wooden mortar and pestle. The urn shaped mortar with rich patina has a wonderful ...
Category
1790s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple, Wood
$870 Sale Price / set
40% Off
Federal Style Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A Federal Style Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror in great vintage condition. Measures 21" in width and 44" in height
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
$1,496 Sale Price
25% Off
American Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Tall Clock by Rufus Cole
Located in Essex, MA
A Rare and Complete American Federal Tall Case Clock. Riley Whiting Wooden Works, original. A Rufus Cole Grain-Painted and Stenciled Case. S...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
American Cherry Tilt-Top Candle Stand
Located in Savannah, GA
An American cherry spider leg tilt-top candle stand, early 19th century.
top measures 17 by 22 inches
28 ¼ inches tall; 40 inches tall upright
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
1930s American Federal Mahogany And Satinwood Inlay Drop-Leaf Dining Table
Located in Germantown, MD
For your consideration is this large drop-leaf dining table measuring 78" in width, 48" in depth and 30.5" in height. This unusual drop leaf table with comfortably accomodate 10+ peo...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
$5,246 Sale Price
25% Off
American-Market "Peace, Plenty and Independence" Liverpool Creamware Jug
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Peace, Plenty and Independence" - An Exceptional American Market Creamware Jug,
Circa 1800
A profound piece of early American history and decorative art, this large Liverpool Creamware jug was specifically produced for the burgeoning United States market around 1800. This spectacular jug perfectly encapsulates the patriotic zeal and domestic aspirations of the post-Revolutionary era. Its historical...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
Jewel Tone Fine Quality Antique Persian Malayer Narrow Horizontal Woven Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century horizontally handwoven Persian Malayer rug with a green field, accents in red and gold
Measures: 1'7" x 4'3".
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Brunschwig
Fils Boscobel Restoration Medford Inn 1804 Hand-Printed Wallpaper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brunschwig and Fils Boscobel Restoration Medford Inn 1804 hand-printed wallpaper. Very unusual paper - it is marked as custom hand-printed for the Bo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Antique New York Federal Period Mahogany Paw Foot Drop Leaf Table c. 1830
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique New York Federal Period Mahogany Paw Foot Drop Leaf Table, dating to around 1830, is a stunning example of early 19th-century American craftsmanship. The solid flame mah...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
George Washington Engraving by H. B. Hall, after William Birch
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a handsome engraved portrait of George Washington by artist H. B. Hall. This engraving was published in New York, in a limited edition of 125 impressions. The engraving is based on a painting by William Birch Gilbert Stuart, a small miniature in enamel, completed in 1796. Birch painted Washington from life in his office in Philadelphia, by the request of I. G. Van Staphorst, Esqr. of Amsterdam. In the small portrait, Washington is depicted in a head and shoulders pose, facing right. He wears a dark coat and vest and a white shirt and ruffled cravat.
The father of our country, George Washington was the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and served two terms as the first United States president...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
American Chippendale Mahogany Chest
Located in Queens, NY
American Chippendale style mahogany chest on chest cabinet with 7 drawers below 3 shell carved small drawers with flame form finials and broken pe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Down Filled Tassels Blue
Gold Upholstery Turned Legs Chaise Lounge MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Down Filled Tassels Blue & Gold Upholstery Turned Legs Chaise Lounge MINT!
All redone like new c.1920s
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Kindel Federal Style Eagle and Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
Kindel Furniture Federal Style Eagle and Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror. Measures 20.75" in width and 45" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
$1,421 Sale Price
25% Off
Late 20th Century Federal Style Mahohany Side Table Candle Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Federal Style Mahohany Side Table
Measures 14.75" in width, 14.75" in depth and stands 21.5" tall.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
$746 Sale Price
25% Off
Federal Satinwood Inlaid Carved Mahogany Parcel Gilt And Eglomise Painted Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A beautiful Federal style Satinwood Inlaid in Carved Mahogany Parcel Gilt And Eglomise Painted scroll ear wall Mirror. Measures 24" in width and 56" tall. Wood backing.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Satinwood, Giltwood
$2,246 Sale Price
25% Off
Fine Set Of Seven Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A set of very well made and solid feeling Shield Back dining chairs with mahogany frames and custom upholstery. The frames have a graceful back splat with a feather crest and side ta...
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rug with Federal American Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
73283, antique Persian Bakhtiari rug with Federal American Colonial style. With a timeless botanical pattern and naturalistic design elements, this han...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
French Federal Style Antiqued Chandelier, 6 Bulbs
Located in Plainview, NY
A stylish French federal style chandelier made in antiqued fashion. The metal frame has a beautiful pewter antique finish. The chandelier is e...
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Early 20th Century Federal Brass and Iron Andirrons
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair Early 20th Century Federal Brass and Iron Andirrons. Measuring 8" in width, 18" in width and 21.5" in height.
Recently repolished
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$1,406 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Antique Federal Style Cherry Butterfly Drop Leaf Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsomely carved and finished Federal style cherry butterfly drop leaf table with fine traditional form and great color. On four carved l...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
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 eagle s...
Category
20th Century North American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Federal Style Wood Fireplace Mantel
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th Century American white painted fireplace mantle with strong molding and handsome detailing.
Dimensions of opening: 32.45" w x 29.13" h
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Block Front Carved Decorated Scallops Bracket Feet Bachelor Chest Dresser MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Hankel-Harris Pull Out Desk Table Secretary 4 Drawer Bachelor Chest Dresser MINT
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large Jerry St. Clair Gilt
Polychromed Carved Eagle, Rockport ME
Located in Milford, NH
A large colorful example of a carved gilt and polychromed carved wooden eagle clutching a shield with arrows signed and dated 1989 on verso by Jerry St. Clair, Rockport, ME. Very goo...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th c Vermont Mahogany Tall Chest with Birds Eye
Tiger Maple Drawer Fronts
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of an early 19th century tall chest of drawers in a two over four configuration with a mahogany case and birds eye and tiger maple drawer fronts with mahogany veneer b...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Full Size Pencil Inlaid Mahogany Federal SideBoard Server Buffet by Baker MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Full Size Pencil Inlaid Mahogany Federal SideBoard Server Buffet by Baker MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Mahogany Inlaid and Stinciled Top Accent Table
Located in Germantown, MD
X legs American Federal style side table with inlays and gold stenciling top. Good vintage condition.
Measures 22" x 22" x 28"H.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,012 Sale Price
25% Off
Antique American Federal Pointed Finial Brass Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Pointed Finial Brass Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Item features solid brass and cast iron construction, and remarkable patina. Circa 19th Century. Measuremen...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Large American Federal Style Brass Ornate Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
Amazingly decorated pair of large American Federal style brass ornate andirons.
This is very heavy and in polished brass ornate with carved brass flowers...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
$1,496 Sale Price / set
61% Off
Charak Lacquered Mahogany Banded Round Dining Table w/ 2 Leaves Inlaid Legs Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern solid teak pull out roll top desk drawers chair mint.
Two table leaves measuring 18''.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Giltwood Mirror with Rosette Corners and Fruit Panel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An antique carved giltwood wall mirror from the 1800s featuring a rectangular frame with rosette corners and a basket of fruit panel at the top. It is made of wood and gilded with g...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror
American Federal Mahogany “Martha Washington” Lolling Armchair ca. 1800
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID-MAHOGANY LOLLING "MARTHA WASHINGTON" ARMCHAIR
Massachusetts, ca. 1780-1800 purchased from Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc. of New York in 1966
Item # 401JNI25P...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Distressed Antique Persian Joshegan Rug, 10
11 x 12
10
Located in Dallas, TX
52558 Antique Persian Joshegan Rug, 10'11 x 12'10. Antique-washed Persian Joshegan rugs refer to rugs that have undergone a washing process to give them an aged or antique appearance...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Windsor Highchair In Original Paint Circa 1820
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful American, windsor, arrow-back high chair in original surface.
Circa 1820, this chair is in excellent condition with an incredible surface history.
The splayed legs are much...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple, Paint
Baker Mahogany Satinwood Bow Front Sideboard Historic Charleston Collection MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Baker Mahogany Satinwood Bow Front Sideboard Historic Charleston Collection MINT
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
New England Painted Federal Side Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with decorative back panel. Faux bois top over a drawer with brass knobs and turned bamboo tapered legs.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
Rare Early 19th Century American Baltimore Federal Parcel Gilt Writing Desk
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and rare early 19th century American Baltimore Federal painted writing table with fabulous parcel gilt detail throughout. The moulded to...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Persian Shiraz Afghani Rug with Modern Colonial and Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76878, vintage Persian Shiraz Afghani rug with modern colonial and federal style 11'09 x 16'03. Traditional and regal with brilliant color, this hand-knott...
Category
Late 20th Century Afghan Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
1920
s Eagle Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces Federal Style
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell federal style silver plated sconces with eagles
Category
1910s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Classic Federal 19th C. Carved And Gilt Two-part Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A classic two- part Federal mirror with tall carved and gilt turned supports and corner rosettes for the surround. A slim bar separates the mirror.
Dimensions: H. 36", W. 20 1/4", D...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Mahogany and Spanish Cedra Sugar Chest on Stand, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany and Spanish cedra one drawer hinged sugar chest on stand with carved molded edge, exposed dovetails, wooden knobs, silver escutch...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver, Iron
Pair of Petite Cut Glass Crystal Decanters, C1930
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous petite pair of cut glass crystal decanters in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Not cloudy or stained. Some wear to bottom edge.
Category
1930s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Crystal
A Federal Style Cherry Spider Leg Candlestand
Located in Savannah, GA
An American federal style cherry spider leg tilt top candlestand, late 19th, early 20th century.
22 inches wide by 15 inches deep by 27 ½ inches tall; 40 inches tall tilted upright
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Duncan Phyfe Style Twin Pedestal Dining Table with Faux Marble Hand Painted Top
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An elegant twin pedestal Duncan Phyfe/Sheraton style dining table, the pedestals in mahogany with original brass castors, the 'D' shaped top expertly painted in a faux green veined m...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Banded Top 4 Drawers 31" High Small Chests End Tables Night Stands MINT
By Councill
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair Banded Top 4 Drawers 31" High Small Chests End Tables Night Stands MINT
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early American Stenciled Tiger Maple Pole Screen
Located in Savannah, GA
Mahogany and maple pole screen on a tripod base featuring a center urn, adjustable brass slide and a lead weighted bottom. Stenciled floral motif on screen...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
$1,002 Sale Price
56% Off
American Federal Mahogany Child
s Four-Post Bed
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal-style (19th Century) small mahogany child's four poster bed with pineapple finials (includes: headboard, footboard, does not include rails.) (Irregular size, check m...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Persian Tabriz Palace Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75593 vintage Persian Tabriz Palace rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal style. This hand knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug features an al...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
New Contemporary Transitional Oushak Accent Rug with Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
80388 Contemporary Transitional Oushak Accent Rug with Federal Style. Blending a Federal style and elements from the modern world, this hand knotted wool contemporary transitional Ou...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Bended Cherrywood Dresser - UK
Located in MIJDRECHT, NL
Fine English Style Furniture is a beautifully designed piece of furniture in Federal style with three drawers and two storage/cupboard sections.
The design has a nice curve, the top...
Category
1950s British Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry
$5,105 Sale Price
50% Off
Mahogany Credenza
Located in Annville, PA
This Mahogany Credenza matches a number of other items in the Niagara Furniture office collection. The credenza utilizes three part construction, the top and two pedestals separate f...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$3,245 / item
American Mahogany Drop Leaf Barley Twist Work Table with Orig. Brasses, C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal Mahogany drop leaf three drawer work table with incised carvings, original circular foliage brasses, key hole escutcheons, ...
Category
1810s 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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