Drexel Federal

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the drexel federal you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and animal skin, every drexel federal was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect drexel federal — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A drexel federal is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in mid-century modern styles are sought with frequency. Drexel and Heritage Furniture each produced at least one beautiful drexel federal that is worth considering.

Prices for a drexel federal can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $665 and can go as high as $4,900, while the average can fetch as much as $2,700.

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.