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 Late 19th Century American "Federal" Style Convex Mirror.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Late 19th Century American "Federal" Style Convex Mirror.
Carved Wood with Gold and an Eagle Perched on Top.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Large American Federal Style Eagle Wood Carved Two-Light Sconce
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This wood carved and gold gilded antique sconce features a majestic eagle with spread wings beneath a tied bow. The candle arms are of patinated scrolled brass and very finely detail...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$880 Sale Price
20% Off
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Blockfront Secretary Writing Desk. Made from mahogany with a high sheen finish. This exception ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$5,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Late Federal Mahogany Paw Foot Pier Table c. 1840
Located in Westfield, MA
This late Federal mahogany pier table, crafted around 1840, elegantly showcases the aesthetic preferences and skilled craftsmanship of its era. Featuring stately paw feet, this table...
Category
1840s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Neoclassical American Empire Side or Lamp Table in Mahogany, circa 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A neoclassical American Empire work table in mahogany and crotch mahogany with two drawers with convex fronts. Top rests on cylindrical column over a quatre-from base and terminating...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Decorative Crafts Inc American Federal Carved Wood Gold Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Decorative Crafts Inc American Federal Carved Wood Gold Gilt Wall Mirror. Item features gold gilt and brown distress painted finish, carved finials, solid wood frame, nicely ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Crotch Mahogany Individual Glass Pains Door Drop Front Secretary Breakfront MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Crotch Mahogany Individual Glass Pains Door Drop Front Secretary Breakfront MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique American Mid Atlantic States Federal Style Sideboard/ Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful American Federal style sideboard with a shaped bow front and darker banding. The top edge has string inlay framed moldings, The figured wood frieze drawer with fine brass b...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Very Fine Bow Front Inlaid Mahogany 87" Tall Bookcase Shelfs Etagere MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Bow Front Inlaid Mahogany 87" Tall Bookcase Shelfs Etagere MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Federal Style Cherry and Gilt Metal Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Federal Style Cherry and Gilt Metal Wall Mirror.
Measures 49" in width and 27" in height.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Cherry
Antique Victorian Federal Style Brass, Wood
Wrought Iron Coat Rack with Eagle
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Victorian Federal Style Brass, Wood, and Wrought Iron Coat Rack with Eagle Finial
This striking Antique Victorian Federal Style coat rack features a solid wood top fitted wi...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Extraordinary Pair of Fine Period Federal Inlaid Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very rare and extraordinary Pair of Antique Inlaid Consoles from New England and saiid to be from the Boston area.
Exquisite construction with D shaped tops and fine string inlays on the apron panels and Curly Maple inlaid panels in the center and diamond shapes on the tops of the legs. Raised on square tapering legs with string inlays.
Provenance: The Table Pair were previously owned by the American Actress Dina Merrill...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Maple
Antique Mahogany Compact 20x35 Writing Table Console Desk Side Drawer Leather
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique Mahogany Compact 20x35 Writing Table Console Desk Side Drawer Leather
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Vintage Polished Brass Mail Slot and Door Knocker
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add a touch of vintage antique charm to your entry front door with this "Two-in-One" brass mail slot and door knocker. Ready to mount. Screws not inclu...
Category
20th Century North American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
New England Federal Period Hepplewhite Style Cherry Stand with Drawer
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique Federal period cherry stand with a single drawer, made in New England, circa 1820. Designed after the style of George Hepplewhite, this elegant stand is crafted of rich cher...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Charak Mahogany Inlaid Individual Bubble Glass Butlers Desk Breakfront Cupboard
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Charak Mahogany Inlaid Individual Bubble Glass Butlers Desk Breakfront Cupboard Mint.
Numbered and Dated cabinet by the manufacturer.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Walnut Corner Cupboard
Located in Essex, MA
With arched opening flanked by fan carved spandrels and columns. Three shaped shelves over a cabinet door.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Marble Top Red Lacquered Serpentine Chests, a Pair
Located in Hudson, NY
Bright and bold, a pair of red lacquered chests of drawers. Three serpentine drawer fronts open with metal bail handles. Tops are serpentine cut Carrara marble.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton (Anglo-American: 1799 - 1849), circa 1830s, an oil on canvas half-length portrait of a sea captain holding a spygl...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Pair of Federal Style Mahogany Bedside Chests
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and figured mahogany nightstand, the reeded edge bowfront top with protruding corners with leaf carved and reeded uprights, with three graduated drawers with verdigris bra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
$8,514 / set
American Mahogany Federal Work Table with Barley Twist Legs on Casters, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany Federal two drawer hinged work table with a ratcheted white pine writing surface, fitted interior for ink wells, original brass sandwich glass knobs, lower connecti...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
"Apotheosis" of George Washington Creamware Jug- Large Size
Located in Downingtown, PA
Ascending to Glory:
A Monumental Liverpool Creamware Jug Celebrating Washington's Apotheosis
Historical Context: From Man to Myth
George Washington's...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
Admiral Eagle Federal Round Bull’s-Eye Wall Mirror
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful round mirror with eagle surmount. In a bronze hue. A great example of the American federal style.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Jonathan Charles 66/92
Diamet Round 8 board Extendable Dining Table Single Base
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Jonathan Charles 66/92' Diamet Round 8 board Extendable Dining Table Single Base
13" extension boards leaves
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Fine 19th Century American Federal Period Mahogany Sofa
Located in Richmond, VA
Fine 19th century American federal period mahogany sofa on 6 turned and carved legs. Beautifully done, the arms and back rails are reeded and there are little rosettes carved where t...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Banded and Pencil Inlayed Mahogany Bow Front Federal Sideboard Brass Hardware
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded and Pencil Inlayed Mahogany Bow Front Federal Sideboard Brass Hardware
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Tiger Maple Tripod Table, American, Early 19th Century
Located in Huntington, NY
Tiger Maple Tripod table, top with chamfered corners also inlaid with mother of pearl, circles, hearts & triangles. Turned standard raised on down swept legs terminating in spade feet.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,360 Sale Price
20% Off
Federal Card Table Attributed to Anthony Quervelle, Philadelphia
By Anthony Gabriel Quervelle
Located in New York, NY
American federal games table in carved mahogany. Flip top with concertina movement. Attributed to the workshop of Philadelphia cabinet maker, Anthony Quervelle...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Oval Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
One of the most complicated items that we produce at Niagara furniture our Oval Partners Desk is also one of the most popular. The top section of the desk consists of a three-paneled...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$5,035 / item
Walnut Round Drum Center Side Table Stand w/ Drawers Johnson Furniture Mint!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Walnut Round Drum Center Side Table Stand w/ Drawers Johnson Furniture Mint!
Amazing burl walnut wood pattern top!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Unique Cocktail Cabinet, Dry Bar, Saks Fifth Ave
Located in Woodbury, CT
Rear and possibly unique federal style cocktail cabinet. Crotch veneer, mahogany with string inlay, original brass hardware signed by maker. Original removable tray, tapered leg with...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
La Barge Large 33x48 Shield Shape Gold Leaf Gilt Wall Mirror MINT
By La Barge
Located in Rockaway, NJ
La Barge Large 33x48 Shield Shape Gold Leaf Gilt Wall Mirror MINT
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Federal Style Upholstered Settee
Located in Dallas, TX
Federal Style Upholstered Settee, Reeded Mahogany Frame with Gilded Acanthus Leaf & Swans. Federal style is characterized by bold patriotic symbols such as eagles, shield-shaped chai...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Ionic Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A plaster study of an ionic column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Plaster
$750 Sale Price
21% Off
American Federal Blanket Chest, c.1820
Located in Savannah, GA
A Federal painted blanket chest, circa 1820.
48 inches wide by 20 ½ inches deep by 26 ½ inches tall
Category
1820s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
American Federal Mahogany Two-Drawer Stand with Original Gilt Brasses, C. 1810
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal figured mahogany two-drawer stand with carved molded edge top, original gilt floral ringed brasses, interior locks, and resting on turned bulbous pineapple legs...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Baker Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Demilune Sideboard, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal or Hepplewhite style demilune cabinet or sideboard
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Mahogany, with satinwood string inlay, original brass hardware,...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large 88" Wide Beveled Glass Gold Leaf Back Paint Decorated Break Front Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large 88" Wide Beveled Glass Gold Leaf Back Paint Decorated Break Front Cabinet MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Federal Flame Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the enduring elegance of the Federal period with this magnificent vintage flame mahogany chest of drawers. This exquisite piece showcases the unparalleled beauty of flame ma...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Federal Hepplewhite Tiger Maple Game Table c. 1830
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique Federal Hepplewhite Game Table, circa 1830, features a striking facade of tiger maple, renowned for its vibrant grain and luminescent quality, while the remainder of the...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
American Federal Mahogany Side Table with Fitted Interior Desk on Casters, 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal Mahogany one drawer side table with fitted interior desk, walnut diamond escutcheons, original four wooden knobs, and resting on turned bulbous ringed legs with the original brass casters. Secondary wood consist of white pine and tulip poplar...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Of Federal Brass Ball Top Andirons
Located in Essex, MA
Ball top with scrolled legs and brass ball feet. Newly polished.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$875 / set
American Federal Walnut One Drawer Patera Inlaid Bottle Box on Stand, VA C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal walnut hinged bottle box on stand with central oval and corner patera inlays, exposed dovetails, original interior bottle dividers, lower single drawer with oval aco...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Brandt Flip Top Piano Style Small Wooden Writing Desk Table
By Brandt
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage brandt flip top Piano style small wooden writing desk table. Item features rolling casters, flip top, lower shelf stand, original label, very nice vintage item, quality Ameri...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Upholstered Window Seat Bench for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A delightful small bench with wonderful transitional, Federal, and Louis XVI charm. The bench is upholstered in woven fabric with gently rolled arms, piped trims, and a brass tacked ...
Category
20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
19 th C English Oil on Canvas Painting of Horse and Jockey
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English 19 th century oil on canvas of horse and jockey painting in carved gilt wood frame. This 19th c English oil on canvas is a 19 th c...
Category
19th Century English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Baker Furniture Federal Banded Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style drop leaf dining table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Beautiful book-matched banded mahogany, with satinwood string inlay, and brass-cappe...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Miniature Example Mahogany Bureau Bookcase
Located in Huntington, NY
Cabinet makers sample.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$2,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Arch Top Transom Window
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rescued from an estate outside of Boston, MA this antique arch top transom window adds an architectural feast to your space. The window has its original...
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
Fine Federal Period Sheraton Mahogany Card or Gaming Table circa 1800
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal Period, Sheraton mahogany card or gaming table with turret corners, checkered inlay around the folding top edge, a shaped frieze with an oval patera, all ...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Late Federal Mahogany Six Drawer Chest
Located in Acton, MA
Late Federal Mahogany Six Drawer Chest . This wonderful chest is the epitome of "High Style" and upper class. Between the spectacular Crotch Mahogany drawer fronts and the superb mah...
Category
1820s 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
$6,399 Sale Price
20% Off
19th C. Federal Style Satinwood Inlaid Mahogany Fold Top Card or Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
1890s Federal style satinwood inlaid flame mahogany serpentine fold top card table or console table in good antique condition. Two available. Very sturday. Measures 35.5" in width, 1...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Federal Style Gilded Carved Wood Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Federal Style Gilded Carved Wood Mirror, 19th Century
Carved wood American Federal style parcel-gilt wall mirror featuring a broken scroll ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Mahogany Federal Style Crotch Mahogany Brass Pulls 7 Drawers High Chest Dresser
Located in Rockaway, NJ
MINT Mahogany Federal Style Crotch Mahogany Brass Pulls 7 Drawers High Chest Dresser
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Duncan Phyfe Style 5 Drawer Ribbon Mahogany Chest
Located in Pasadena, TX
This finely crafted 5 drawer chest is made by Huntley Furniture Co.
It's made of ribbon mahogany in the Duncan Phyfe style.
It has gingerbreading along the top and a wheat carving on...
Category
1940s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Style, Giltwood, Convex Mirror, Regency Wall Mirrors, England, 19th C.
Located in Manhasset, NY
Federal Style, Giltwood, Convex Mirror, Wall, Console, or Pier Mirrors, England, 19th C.
Rare pair of federal style mirrors designed and produced in England in the later half of the...
Category
19th Century English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Henkel Harris Federal Cherry Extension Dining Table with Three Leaves
Located in Germantown, MD
Henkel Harris Federal Style Solid Cherry Extension Dining Table with Three Leaves
Excellent Vintage Condition with crafty inlaid legs. Each leaf is 12" wide. Leaves are securely stor...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Satinwood
Baker Furniture Style Federal Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of Four
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Federal or Hepplewhite style shield back dining chairs
In the manner of Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Solid carved mahogany frames, with upholstere...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
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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