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Federal Clocks

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
Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form with white enamel dial and reverse painted waist and pendulum door. With key and pendulum.
Category

1820s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock
Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock

Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock

Elmer O. Stennes Weymouth MA Eglomise Girandole Banjo Clock
By Elmer O. Stennes
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful example of a hand made girandole banjo clock by well known Weymouth, Massachusetts clockmaker Elmer O. Stennes (1911-1975), with a signed circular face with brass ball s...
Category

20th Century American Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

Elmer O. Stennes Weymouth MA Eglomise Girandole Banjo Clock
Elmer O. Stennes Weymouth MA Eglomise Girandole Banjo Clock

Elmer O. Stennes Weymouth MA Eglomise Girandole Banjo Clock

American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock, Eli Terry, Circa 1825
By Eli Terry & Sons
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany pillar and scroll mantel clock with a broken arch pediment, three urn wood finials, flanking ringed columns, hinged glass d...
Category

1820s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock, Eli Terry, Circa 1825
American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock, Eli Terry, Circa 1825

American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock, Eli Terry, Circa 1825

American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820
By Silas Hoadley
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany one day tall case clock with the original brass ball finials resting on three carved upper capitals, decorative intertwined fret work, arched hood with bras...
Category

1820s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820
American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820

American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820

American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas
Located in Essex, MA
By Solomon Gorgas. Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania. Works just cleaned and in good working order. With arched bonnet with pinwheel inlay in the scrolls. Glazed door opening to enameled wo...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass

American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas
American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas

American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas

John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock
By John Nicholl
Located in New York, NY
Federal Tall Case Clock Made and Signed by John Nicholl, (1784-1862) Belvidere, New Jersey Circa 1825 Primary Wood: Mahogany, Mahogany Ven...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock
John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock

John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock

Early 1900s Carved Walnut Durfee Case Elliot Movement 5 Tube Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular clock with what I believe is a solid carved walnut Durfee case and and has an Elliot of London movement. The case has some signs of wear and is in it's original...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Early 1900s Carved Walnut Durfee Case Elliot Movement 5 Tube Grandfather Clock
Early 1900s Carved Walnut Durfee Case Elliot Movement 5 Tube Grandfather Clock

Early 1900s Carved Walnut Durfee Case Elliot Movement 5 Tube Grandfather Clock

19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock Dimensions : 104" Tall X 26" Wide X 15.5" Deep This gorgeous grandfather clock was made in the late 19th ...
Category

1890s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Oak

19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock

19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock

Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Case Clock, Jedediah Weiss, Bethlehem
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Federal cherry tall case clock with a brass eight day works signed Jedediah Weiss Bethlehem, with beautiful inlay including a contrasting fan carving above the waist d...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Cherry, Maple, Satinwood

Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Case Clock, Jedediah Weiss, Bethlehem
Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Case Clock, Jedediah Weiss, Bethlehem

Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Case Clock, Jedediah Weiss, Bethlehem

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 Clocks

Materials

Pine

American Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Tall Clock by Rufus Cole
American Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Tall Clock by Rufus Cole

American Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Tall Clock by Rufus Cole

Antique Colonial Mfg Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Colonial Mfg. Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock. Item features a working lock and key, includes all parts pictured. Very ...
Category

Early 20th Century Federal Clocks

Materials

Wood

Antique Colonial Mfg Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock
Antique Colonial Mfg Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock

Antique Colonial Mfg Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock

Related Items
American Mahogany and Églomisé Banjo Clock, E. Howard, Boston # 5, Circa 1860
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany and églomisé banjo clock with original signed and numeral paper dial under glass, decorative painted and gilt throat panel, with a hinged painted and gilt door concealing the brass pendulum. Clock is in working condition with no issues. Signed by E. Howard and Co...
Category

1860s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

American Mahogany and Églomisé Banjo Clock, E. Howard, Boston # 5, Circa 1860
American Mahogany and Églomisé Banjo Clock, E. Howard, Boston # 5, Circa 1860

American Mahogany and Églomisé Banjo Clock, E. Howard, Boston # 5, Circa 1860

H 29 in W 12 in D 3.75 in
French Giltwood Wall Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French wall clock on a grey ground with beautifully carved gilded foliate decoration surmounted by a gilded bow. Enamel dial with Arabic numerals and original ‘Blued’ steel hands....
Category

1920s French Vintage Federal Clocks

Materials

Giltwood

French Giltwood Wall Clock
French Giltwood Wall Clock

French Giltwood Wall Clock

H 24.5 in W 10.5 in D 3.25 in
Shagreen and Ormolu Mantel Clock, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very pleasing late 19th century French arched top mantel, carriage clock in green Shagreen, with a gilded ormolu handle to the top, crystal jewels to the bezel, an eight day durati...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Shagreen and Ormolu Mantel Clock, circa 1900
Shagreen and Ormolu Mantel Clock, circa 1900

Shagreen and Ormolu Mantel Clock, circa 1900

H 9.45 in W 5.12 in D 3.35 in
Rococo Giltwood Clock
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine 18th century rococo carved and giltwood shelf clock, the crest with stork holding a bone in his beak pearched on a romantic castle ruin with carved...
Category

Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Giltwood

Rococo Giltwood Clock
Rococo Giltwood Clock

Rococo Giltwood Clock

H 17.5 in W 12 in D 5 in
Antique 8 Day Tall Case Grandfather Clock Automaton Andrew Rich Bridgewater 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Georgian Regency period tall case 8 day inlaid mahogany grandfather clock with a rocking figure of Old Father Time, by Andrew Rich of Bridgwater Somerset, circa 1820. The clock is made of the finest figured flame mahogany & inlaid with satinwood stringing, the clock hood with twin arched 'swan's neck' pediment with brass rosettes & a central brass urn shaped finial. The hood door is flanked by a pair of turned columns with gilt brass capitals & bases, the door enclosing a painted dial with gilding & floral spandrel panels. The clock having an unsul feature of a winged Old Father Time, holding his scythe he rocks backwards & forwards in unison with the pendulum. The dial with black Roman numerals and having a seconds dial and also a calendar dial, the clock is signed to the center "Rich Bridgwater" (a prosperous historic coastal town & port in the Somerset area of the Southwest of England). The trunk of the case with carved 'ropetwist' pilasters, the door & base inlaid with satinwood stringing, the clock is raised on bracket feet. The clock has an eight day mechanism & strikes the hours on a mellow sounding bell, the clock chime can be silenced by not winding the chime arbor, original pendulum & weights, winding key is present. The clock is in excellent antique condition & has just been professionally cleaned and overhauled by a professional clocksmith, it keeps very good time, this elegant antique tall case clock...
Category

1820s English Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Antique 8 Day Tall Case Grandfather Clock Automaton Andrew Rich Bridgewater 1820
Antique 8 Day Tall Case Grandfather Clock Automaton Andrew Rich Bridgewater 1820

Antique 8 Day Tall Case Grandfather Clock Automaton Andrew Rich Bridgewater 1820

H 92 in W 20 in D 10.5 in
Tall Case Clock, Bristol, England, circa 1830, Victorian
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The case of the grandfather clock is made of mahogany and was possibly made by the watchmaker Nathaniel Edgecombe. The clock is from Bristol England, circa 1830. + The ship in the d...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Nutwood, Spruce

Tall Case Clock, Bristol, England, circa 1830, Victorian
Tall Case Clock, Bristol, England, circa 1830, Victorian

Tall Case Clock, Bristol, England, circa 1830, Victorian

H 92.52 in W 25.2 in D 10.24 in
Antique 19th Century Early American Seth Thomas Tall Case Grandfather Clock
By Seth Thomas Clock Company
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful Seth Thomas long case clock, circa first half 19th century. Features an American poplar case in Early American styling with an open pediment, c...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Poplar

Antique 19th Century Early American Seth Thomas Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Antique 19th Century Early American Seth Thomas Tall Case Grandfather Clock

Antique 19th Century Early American Seth Thomas Tall Case Grandfather Clock

H 94 in W 18.5 in D 10.5 in
Quality 18th Century Antique Georgian Banjo Barometer
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality 18th century antique Georgian banjo barometer having a swan neck pediment with a quality shaped figured mahogany case. It boasts an 11 inch silvered engraved dial with origin...
Category

18th Century English Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Other

Quality 18th Century Antique Georgian Banjo Barometer
Quality 18th Century Antique Georgian Banjo Barometer

Quality 18th Century Antique Georgian Banjo Barometer

H 41.74 in W 12.6 in D 1.58 in
Late 18th Century Liege Burled Walnut Tall Case Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A stately late 18th century Belgian, Liege, tall case clock case having a period Black Forest clock workings with wooden enameled dial and hand-painted fruit decoration, the original...
Category

Late 18th Century Belgian Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Iron

Late 18th Century Liege Burled Walnut Tall Case Clock
Late 18th Century Liege Burled Walnut Tall Case Clock

Late 18th Century Liege Burled Walnut Tall Case Clock

H 99.5 in W 18.5 in D 14.5 in
George III Green Japanned Tall Case Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Arched bonnet with three wood finials over a glazed arched door enclosing a brass dial signed Benjamin Sudlon, Yarmouth, the centre case with arched door, plinth base.
Category

18th Century and Earlier British Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Other

George III Green Japanned Tall Case Clock
George III Green Japanned Tall Case Clock

George III Green Japanned Tall Case Clock

H 95 in W 19.75 in D 9.75 in
19th Century Swedish Tall Case Clock with Painted Case
Located in Milford, NH
Wonderful polychrome 19th century Swedish tall case clock with central urn with swags, Roman numeral dial, brass works and waist door with circular window. Very good overall conditio...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Tall Case Clock with Painted Case
19th Century Swedish Tall Case Clock with Painted Case

19th Century Swedish Tall Case Clock with Painted Case

H 101 in W 27 in D 9 in
Early 19th Century American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany with Eglomise Painted Landscape Scene
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany

Early 19th Century American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany

H 31.5 in W 17.5 in D 4.5 in
Previously Available Items
Henry Hahn Reading, Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a cherry tall case clock by Henry Hahn of Reading, PA, active clockmaker from 1790-1820, with broken pediment carved arched bonnet with scroll rosettes, urn finials...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Metal

Henry Hahn Reading, Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial
Henry Hahn Reading, Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial

Henry Hahn Reading, Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial

H 92.5 in W 20.25 in D 10.5 in
New Hampshire Federal Mahogany And Tiger Maple Banjo Clock
Located in Essex, MA
With urn finial over a round clock face with painted iron dial and Roman numerals. Hinged glass bezel. Waisted case with finely figured tiger maple flanked by carved mahogany side a...
Category

1820s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass, Iron

New Hampshire Federal Mahogany And Tiger Maple Banjo Clock
New Hampshire Federal Mahogany And Tiger Maple Banjo Clock

New Hampshire Federal Mahogany And Tiger Maple Banjo Clock

H 42 in W 10.25 in D 3.75 in
Antique American Simon Willard & Son 8 Day Banjo Clock Patent Timepiece 1825
Located in Portland, OR
Rare antique American Simon Willard & Son Mahogany Patent Timepiece or "Banjo" Clock, Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1825. The case made of Cuban mahogany with figured mahogany panels to ...
Category

1820s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

Antique American Simon Willard & Son 8 Day Banjo Clock Patent Timepiece 1825
Antique American Simon Willard & Son 8 Day Banjo Clock Patent Timepiece 1825

Antique American Simon Willard & Son 8 Day Banjo Clock Patent Timepiece 1825

H 34 in W 10.25 in D 4 in
Bailey Banks & Biddle Mahogany Federal Style Case Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Bailey Banks & Biddle Mahogany Federal Style Case Tall Case Grandfather Clock Dimensions : 97" Tall X 28" Wide X 18" Deep This grandfather cloc...
Category

1910s American Vintage Federal Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

Bailey Banks & Biddle Mahogany Federal Style Case Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Bailey Banks & Biddle Mahogany Federal Style Case Tall Case Grandfather Clock

Bailey Banks & Biddle Mahogany Federal Style Case Tall Case Grandfather Clock

H 97 in W 28 in D 18 in
Rare Old American Stennes Fed, Sty, Inlaid Mahog, Automaton 8day Longcase Clock
By Elmer O. Stennes
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
One of the most highly collected midcentury longcase clocks, this fabulous Federal Style 8-day inlaid honey-colored, fiddle-grain, highly figured mahogany Clock with a wonderfully ha...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

Rare Old American Stennes Fed, Sty, Inlaid Mahog, Automaton 8day Longcase Clock
Rare Old American Stennes Fed, Sty, Inlaid Mahog, Automaton 8day Longcase Clock

Rare Old American Stennes Fed, Sty, Inlaid Mahog, Automaton 8day Longcase Clock

H 86.5 in W 17.75 in D 11 in
Antique Mahogany Grandfather Longcase Clock
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Mahogany grandfather longcase clock Additional information: Materials: Mahogany Color: Brown Period: 19th century Styles: Federal Item type: Vintage, antique or pre-...
Category

19th Century Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Mahogany Grandfather Longcase Clock
Antique Mahogany Grandfather Longcase Clock

Antique Mahogany Grandfather Longcase Clock

H 94 in W 22 in D 14 in
Mid Century Seth Thomas Brookfield Banjo 8 Day Springwound Eagle Wall Clock
By Seth Thomas Clock Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage 1950s Seth Thomas Brookfield Colonial banjo style 8-day spring wound, pendulum, chiming wall clock with eagle finial. “Fabulous re-creation of the circa 1810 Willard Banjo Clock...
Category

1950s Vintage Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Seth Thomas Brookfield Banjo 8 Day Springwound Eagle Wall Clock
Mid Century Seth Thomas Brookfield Banjo 8 Day Springwound Eagle Wall Clock

Mid Century Seth Thomas Brookfield Banjo 8 Day Springwound Eagle Wall Clock

H 29.5 in W 9.75 in D 4 in
Antique Federal Style Carved Oak Tall Case Clock by Ithaca, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Federal style tall case clock by Ithaca offers oak case with hood having broken arch top having central eagle with flanking ball & spire finials, column with glass door ov...
Category

20th Century American Federal Clocks

Materials

Oak

Antique Federal Style Carved Oak Tall Case Clock by Ithaca, 20th C
Antique Federal Style Carved Oak Tall Case Clock by Ithaca, 20th C

Antique Federal Style Carved Oak Tall Case Clock by Ithaca, 20th C

H 87.5 in W 19 in D 10.75 in
Diminutive Timothy Chandler Federal Cherry Case Tall Clock Concord NH circa 1800
Located in Milford, NH
A fine New Hampshire Federal cherry tall case clock with 8-day weight-driven brass works by Timothy Chandler, active clockmaker in Concord, NH f...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass

Diminutive Timothy Chandler Federal Cherry Case Tall Clock Concord NH circa 1800
Diminutive Timothy Chandler Federal Cherry Case Tall Clock Concord NH circa 1800

Diminutive Timothy Chandler Federal Cherry Case Tall Clock Concord NH circa 1800

H 82 in W 18.5 in D 9.75 in
American Cherry Rocking Ship Tall Case or Grandfather Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Connecticut Federal cherry tall case clock, ca. 1800, the fretwork bonnet enclosing an eight day English works with rocking ship, the face inscr...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Cherry

American Cherry Rocking Ship Tall Case or Grandfather Clock
American Cherry Rocking Ship Tall Case or Grandfather Clock

American Cherry Rocking Ship Tall Case or Grandfather Clock

H 91 in W 21 in D 9 in
Aaron Willard Mahogany Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial 1793
By Aaron Willard
Located in Milford, NH
A fine mahogany tall case clock with wonderful proportions by Aaron Willard (1757-1844), with a reticulated carved crest with three ball and spire finial...
Category

1790s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

Aaron Willard Mahogany Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial 1793
Aaron Willard Mahogany Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial 1793

Aaron Willard Mahogany Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial 1793

H 96 in W 20.75 in D 10.5 in
Long Case Dwarf Wood Clock
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a long case Dwarf wood clock. Its bonnet is decorated with a swan neck pediment at the top and an a bronze urn shaped finial. Below the finial, ther...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Wood

Long Case Dwarf Wood Clock
Long Case Dwarf Wood Clock

Long Case Dwarf Wood Clock

H 54 in W 12 in D 8.5 in

Federal clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal clocks 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 clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal clocks made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original clocks, popular names associated with this style include Eli Terry & Sons, Elmer O. Stennes, Seth Thomas Clock Company, and Silas Hoadley. 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 clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $470 and tops out at $18,500 while the average work can sell for $6,800.

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