Federal Andirons
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
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 Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Brass Federal Branch Leg Urn Finial Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Brass Federal Branch Leg Urn Finial Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 12" W x 19" D.
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Iron
American Federal Brass Lemon Top Andirons with Cabriole Legs and Slipper Feet
Located in Wells, ME
American Federal cast brass seamed 20 inch high lemon top andirons with slipper feet and iron log holders. This pair of quite substantial andirons retain their original lemon top l...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Federal Style Turned Brass & Cast Iron Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Federal Style Turned Brass & Cast Iron Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 18" H x 13" W x 18.25" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Vintage Brass Urn & Marble Federal Style Branch Leg Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Brass Urn & Marble Federal Style Branch Leg Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 25.25" H x 12.5" W x 8.75" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Andirons
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique Harvin 1019 Cast Iron Hessian Soldier Fireplace Andiron Firedogs & Poker
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Harvin Company cast iron firedogs / andirons, design number 1019 in the shape of 18th century style Hessian soldiers with removable supports. Also includes a fire poker and m...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Andirons
Materials
Iron
Antique Federal Brass Cannonball Cast Iron Fireplace Hearth Andirons, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Federal brass cannonball cast iron fireplace Hearth Andirons - a Pair. Item features solid brass construction, shapely legs, cast iron support...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Brass Fireplace Finial Andirons Classical Federal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Ornate brass fireplace finial Andirons classical Federal Elegance
Set of brass andirons. Oversize. No label.
Measures: 26.5 tall x 13 width x...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Federal Style Brass Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Federal style brass andirons in the colonial taste with urn-shaped finials above a turned shaft on two cabriole legs terminating in stylized lions' feet....
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass
Mid 20th Century Harvin Company Federal Style Brass Andirons with Claw Feet
Located in Middleburg, VA
Mid 20th century harvin company federal style brass andirons with claw feet.
Heavy duty brass and iron fireplace dogs. United States, 1950s.
Measures: 23" H, 13" W, 20" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
American Federal Philadelphia Brass Andirons Faceted Acorn Top
Located in Wells, ME
American Federal Philadelphia cast brass faceted acorn top large andirons. The motif of faceting is repeated in the stepped faceted column as well as on the acorns. The columns rest ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
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 Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Harvin Co Brass Federal Style Branch Leg Ball and Claw Andirons, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Harvin Co brass federal style branch leg ball and claw andirons - a pair. Item features branch legs, ball and claw feet, original stamp, quality Amer...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
American Brass and Artistic Wire Work Fire Place Fender, New York, Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American brass and artistic wire work fire place fender, New York. Early 19th century.
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wire
American Federal Brass Ball and Steeple Top New York Andirons
Located in Wells, ME
American Federal period brass ball and steeple top andirons. The belted balls are surmounted by a spire that adds height and elegance to these ear...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
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 Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Pair of Federal Style Solid Cast Brass by Puritan Co. C1955
By Puritan Ironworks Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of sand cast brass andirons by the Puritan Ironworks co. Canon all style with a pierced fleur de LIS.
In excellent vintage condition with mi...
Category
1950s Vintage Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of American Classical Style Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American Classical style andirons having double knob urn finials over Doric column shafts, standing on plinth support over pair o...
Category
20th Century American Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass
Pair of Classical Federal Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine pair of American classical Federal andirons, having urn finials over Doric column shafts standing on square plinths with scalloped base, over shaped legs having spurred knees an...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Federal Brass Iron Spiral Twist Finial Branch Legs Ball Claw Andirons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Federal brass and cast iron spiral twist finial branch legs ball & claw andirons. Item features remarkable authentic patina, spiral twist...
Category
Early 20th Century English Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of American Double Lemon Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American double lemon andirons, having beaded bands around both lemon finials, with turned collars over octagonal shafts, standing on arche...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Iron, Brass
Pair of American Federal Brass Flanking Urn Finial Engraved Andirons Phil C 1800
Located in Hollywood, 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 Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Pair of Brass George Washington Andirons
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage pair of brass George Washington Andirons, likely mid 20th century, cast brass shallow full length figure of George Washington standi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass
Pair of American Federal Brass Urn Finial Shield Engraved Andirons. Phil. C 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of American Federal brass andirons with shield engraved urn finials, shield engraved plinths, incised checkering lines, engraved swags on s...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
American Serpentine Brass Finial & Artistic Wire Work Fire Fender, Boston C 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
American serpentine brass ball finial and artistic wire work fire place fender, Boston, MA. Early 19th Century.
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wire
American Brass and Artistic Wire Work Fire Place Fender, New York, Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American brass and artistic wire work fire place fender, New York. Early 19th century.
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wire
Blackened Wrought Iron Knife Blade Andirons with Brass Urn Finials, Circa 1900s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0535
A pair of antique 18th century style wrought iron andirons with full round brass urn form finials and brass details atop blackened iron knife blade...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Brass and Blackened Wrought Iron Knife Blade Andirons, Circa 1900s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0539
A pair of antique 18th century style wrought iron andirons with full round brass details atop knife blade bodies, circa 1900s.
Dimensions:
Overall...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Antique Brass Hunneman Andirons with Tapered Bodies and Ball Finials, Circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
AFP0561
A pair of andirons in their original aged brass and blackened iron finish, after a pattern by the Boston maker William Hunneman having tapered bodies topped with ball finials...
Category
1880s American Antique Federal Andirons
Materials
Brass, Iron
Brass Andirons with Urn Finials and Pad Feet, Circa 1920s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0547
A pair of antique brass andirons topped with urn finials and having pad feet in their original soft polished finish. Circa 1920s.
Dimensions:
Overall: 24-1/2" H. x 11" W....
Category
1920s Vintage Federal Andirons
Materials
Iron, Brass
Federal andirons for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Federal andirons for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage andirons created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal andirons made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original andirons, popular names associated with this style include Harvin Company, and Puritan Ironworks Company. 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 andirons differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $9,800 while the average work can sell for $1,875.
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