How do I identify early American furniture?

To identify early American furniture, you can evaluate your piece on your own or seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. Although many pieces from the Colonial era are unmarked, double-checking your furniture for signatures, stamps and labels is still a good first step. Using trusted online resources, you can research any markings to determine if the maker was active in America during the 16th and early 17th centuries. When identifying unmarked furniture, it's generally necessary to consider the style and details of the piece. Due to its handcrafted origins, early American furniture tends to have visible tool marks and irregularities in its carvings. Early American furnishings tended to be simple in style but often had one or two refined details, such as cabriole legs. Looking at images of authentic early American furniture can be helpful when making an identification. On 1stDibs, find a collection of 18th-century American furniture.

What is the early American furniture style called?

The early American furniture style is often called the Colonial style. During the 17th century, American craftsmen drew inspiration from medieval and Renaissance furniture. By the 18th century, the William and Mary style that had emerged in England began to heavily influence the American Colonial style. Characteristics of Colonial-style furniture include turned legs, ornamental carvings and richly finished cherry, walnut and mahogany wood. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Colonial-style furniture.

Early American Pewter

Candelabra 1930 Art Deco

Colonial American Silver

Pewter Candelabras

19th Century Coffee Pot

Saloon Furniture

Pewter Cupboard

Chamber Candle Stick Holder

Pewter Tea Pots

Early American Pewter Mustard Pot

$371Sale Price|25% Off

H 5 in W 3.5 in D 2.5 in

Early American Pewter Mustard Pot

Located in Sheffield, MA

An exceptional collectable piece of antique pewter ware. Although not recommended for actual use this small mustard jar has exception lines and great aged patina making an addition f...

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Colonial Pitchers

Materials

Pewter

Early 19th Century Pewter and Granite Coffee Pot, Dated 1818

$950

H 11 in Dm 5 in

Early 19th Century Pewter and Granite Coffee Pot, Dated 1818

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Early American pewter and granite coffee pot in fantastic form.

Category

Antique 19th Century American Tea Sets

Materials

Granite, Pewter

19th Century Native American Missouri War Axe

$23,000

H 23 in W 9 in D 9 in

19th Century Native American Missouri War Axe

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Native American Missouri war axe. Pewter blade with inlayed brass weeping heart on one side and crescent moon on other. Vame from an Osage family in Pahuska, Oklahoma. Spontoon style...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Collection of Eight American Pewter Ice Cream Moulds

$2,461 / set

H 4.34 in W 3.55 in D 2.76 in

Collection of Eight American Pewter Ice Cream Moulds

Located in London, GB

Collection of eight American pewter ice cream moulds American, Early 20th Century Largest: Height 11cm, width 9cm, depth 7cm Smallest: Height 4cm, diameter 9.5cm Popular from the ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Tableware

Materials

Pewter

Pair of American Country Pewter Pediment Top Wall Sconces

$450 / set

H 12 in W 4.75 in D 3.5 in

Pair of American Country Pewter Pediment Top Wall Sconces

Located in Queens, NY

PAIR of American Country pewter wall sconces with single arms and pediment tops. (PRICED AS PAIR) Antique condition.

Category

Early 20th Century American Rustic Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Pewter

Reed & Barton Footed Bowl, Pewter, Art Deco Design, 1930s, American

$750

H 8 in Dm 4.5 in

Reed & Barton Footed Bowl, Pewter, Art Deco Design, 1930s, American

By Reed & Barton

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Reed & Barton Footed Bowl - Model 5872 is a significant piece of American Art Deco design history. Crafted in the 1930s from pewter, this bowl features a semi-ovoid body with a t...

Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vid...

Materials

Pewter

Collection of Rare 19th Century Granite and Pewter Goose Neck Coffee Pots

$2,495 / set

H 11 in W 9 in D 7 in

Collection of Rare 19th Century Granite and Pewter Goose Neck Coffee Pots

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This fine collection of enamel coffee pots are in pristine condition and come from one collection. The mix of pewter and enamel looks great with any collection of antique pewter serv...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Serving Pieces

Materials

Pewter

Recent Sales

2 Antique Lambert Hitchcock American Pewter Plate Candle Holder Sconces 11"

Sold

H 10.75 in W 3.75 in D 7.75 in

2 Antique Lambert Hitchcock American Pewter Plate Candle Holder Sconces 11"

By Lambert Hitchcock

Located in Dayton, OH

Rare antique L. Hitchcock early American pewter plate sconce candle holders.

Category

Early 20th Century American Shaker Candle Sconces

Materials

Pewter

Wolfgang and Pola Hoffmann ashtray

Sold

H 3 in W 2 in D 3 in

Wolfgang and Pola Hoffmann ashtray

Located in Chicago, IL

Pewter ashtray from a series designed by Wolfgang and Pola Hoffmann for the Early American Pewter Company.

Category

Vintage 1930s American Ashtrays

4 Early American Antique Pewter Dinner Salad Side Plates Marked

Sold

H 0.5 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in

4 Early American Antique Pewter Dinner Salad Side Plates Marked

Located in Dayton, OH

Set of four pewter dinner / salad sized plates, one unmarked, and the others showing several indistinct makers marks. Measure: 8.5".

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Colonial Serving Pieces

Materials

Pewter

Pair of American Art Deco Pewter Candelabra

Sold

H 4.25 in W 11.5 in L 4.25 in

Pair of American Art Deco Pewter Candelabra

Located in Chicago, IL

A fantastic pair of early 20th century American Art Deco pewter two-arm candelabra with a fun ribbed motif.

Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Candelabras

Materials

Pewter

Rare American Arts and Crafts Pewter and Ebony Inlaid Armchair

Sold

H 42 in W 28 in D 32 in

Rare American Arts and Crafts Pewter and Ebony Inlaid Armchair

Located in Essex, MA

Rare American Arts and Crafts Armchair with Ebony and Pewter Inlaid Ornamentation in the Mission Style. Ample proportions.

Category

Early 20th Century American Armchairs

Materials

Pewter

Antique 19th Century Sellew & Co Pewter Teapot Tea Coffee Pot Acorn Finial

Sold

H 11.125 in W 10.5 in D 6 in

Antique 19th Century Sellew & Co Pewter Teapot Tea Coffee Pot Acorn Finial

Located in Dayton, OH

"Antique mid to early 19th century American pewter teapot with acorn finial by Sellew & Co of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Early Victorian Tea Sets

Materials

Pewter

Antique 19th C. Oak Step Back Pewter China Hutch Farmhouse Cupboard Bookcase

Sold

H 80 in W 43.5 in D 17 in

Antique 19th C. Oak Step Back Pewter China Hutch Farmhouse Cupboard Bookcase

Located in Dayton, OH

Early 19th century American Primitive pewter hutch or china cupboard. 2 piece design made from oak with two shelves along the top.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Classical Cabinets

Materials

Oak

2 Antique Early American Pewter Baluster Taper Candlesticks Candle Holders 7"

Sold

H 7.25 in Dm 3.75 in

2 Antique Early American Pewter Baluster Taper Candlesticks Candle Holders 7"

Located in Dayton, OH

Pair of antique early American baluster style pewter candlesticks.

Category

Antique 19th Century American Colonial Candlesticks

Materials

Pewter

Pair of American Pewter Candlesticks, 1825-1835

Sold

H 8 in Dm 3.8 in

Pair of American Pewter Candlesticks, 1825-1835

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Pair of baluster form pewter candlesticks with roped edged bobesh and candle push-up ejectors. American, circa 1820-1830.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Candlesticks

Materials

Pewter

Antique Early American Chamber Stick

Sold

H 6.5 in W 6.25 in D 6.5 in

Antique Early American Chamber Stick

Located in Sheffield, MA

A fine and impressive antique pewter chamber candlestick has a plain round form with scalloped pie shaped edge. The domed center of the plain well is surmounted with a baluster shape...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Adam Style Candle Lamps

Materials

Pewter

Small Vintage Pewter Creamer Stamped Pierrepont

Sold

H 2.25 in W 3.38 in D 4 in

Small Vintage Pewter Creamer Stamped Pierrepont

By Meriden Britannia Company

Located in Sheffield, MA

The very petite vintage pewter creamer, while small but full of charm, has a beaded rim and is stamped on the side Pierrepont and on the bottom made and guaranteed by Meriden Company...

Category

Early 20th Century American American Colonial Pitchers

Materials

Pewter

Pair of 19th Century Antique Saloon Liquor Bottles with Pewter Shot Glasses

Sold

H 11.5 in Dm 3.25 in

Pair of 19th Century Antique Saloon Liquor Bottles with Pewter Shot Glasses

Located in Bedford Hills, NY

Cool pair of clear thick glass Saloon liquor bottles with pewter shot glasses, very old, early 19th Century American.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Colonial Barware

Materials

Pewter

Early American Pewter Cupboard

Sold

H 80 in W 38 in D 23 in

Early American Pewter Cupboard

Located in Sheffield, MA

Open-top pewter cupboard, pine, having a nice Spanish Brown color with a beautiful patina. The cupboard has very attractive scalloping on the sides and top and is a very desirable...

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Cupboards

People Also Browsed

Wonderful Service 12 Selb Bavaria Heinrich & Co Gold Encrusted Dinner Plates

$1,250 / set

H 6 in Dm 11 in

Wonderful Service 12 Selb Bavaria Heinrich & Co Gold Encrusted Dinner Plates

By Selb Porcelain, Heinrich & Co. 1

Located in Roslyn, NY

A Wonderful Service Of 12 Selb Bavaria Heinrich & Co Gold Encrusted Dinner Plates

Category

20th Century German Regency Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Fabergé Silver Service

$248,500 / set

H 10.25 in W 20.75 in D 16.38 in

Fabergé Silver Service

By Fabergé

Located in New Orleans, LA

This extraordinary 128-piece service by Fabergé is a rare treasure in more ways than one. Enclosed in its original oak chest, the exquisite service remains complete and in pristine c...

Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Set of 12 Minton Gold Rimmed Porcelain Ball Dinner Plates

$3,800 / set

H 1 in Dm 10.75 in

Set of 12 Minton Gold Rimmed Porcelain Ball Dinner Plates

By Minton

Located in Great Barrington, MA

One of Minton's most popular patterns is named "Porcelain Ball” which features a large diameter plate bordered by a gold and white floral decoration and trimmed with an acid etc...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Sioux Bow, Arrows and Beaded Quiver Case

$15,000

H 46 in W 6 in D 6 in

19th Century Sioux Bow, Arrows and Beaded Quiver Case

By Sioux Indian Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Sioux bow and quiver with beaded bands on top and bottom on both bow and quiver case. Bow 46" of bodack with original sinew string and three 24" matching arrows, two having 2 1/2" or...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Other

Native American 19th Century Ball Headed Club

$2,300

H 21.5 in W 4 in D 4 in

Native American 19th Century Ball Headed Club

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Native American ball headed dance club with expanded shaft, engraving with initials "J.Y." Fully painted with red wash. A nice piece that would make a great addition to a handmade in...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood

Native American Sioux Catlinite T Pipe

$5,175

H 31 in W 9 in D 5 in

Native American Sioux Catlinite T Pipe

By Sioux Indian Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Sioux catlinite T pipe with fluted base and top. Has been smoked, with original stem. Collected by Charles Graves, Indian agent in 1928, South Dakota. Authentic. Period: First quart...

Category

Early 20th Century American Native American Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Other

19th Century Micmac Spiked War Club

$13,800

H 17 in W 4 in D 4 in

19th Century Micmac Spiked War Club

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

MicMac spiked club. Chip carved handle with face on head having forged file spike at top with embedded and poured lead. Brass tacks and band of red painted hide decorate handle. Mand...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood

19th Century Native American Ball Head War Club

$9,000

H 22.5 in W 2 in D 2 in

19th Century Native American Ball Head War Club

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Ball headed war club of walnut with carved panther effigy. The panther is rare and a powerful warrior symbol that has different interpretations "He who kills with one blow" and "A po...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Other

19th Century Northern Plains Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk

$13,800

H 22 in W 11.5 in D 3 in

19th Century Northern Plains Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Northern Plains spontoon style pipe tomahawk with solid brass head, carved and file burnt and painted original haft. Period: 19th century Origin: Northern Plains Size: Head 11 1/2",...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Native American Arms, Armor and Weapons

Materials

Iron

19th Century Eastern Ball Headed War Club

$5,750

H 24 in W 4 in D 4 in

19th Century Eastern Ball Headed War Club

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Eastern (most probably Mohawk), circa 1880-1890, ball headed war club with antler spike. Still shows file rasp marks from carving. Decorated with dots and bird tracks. Made of fir. G...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood

Adorned Iron 19th Century Pipe Tomahawk

$25,000

H 21 in W 18 in D 3 in

Adorned Iron 19th Century Pipe Tomahawk

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Heavily adorned presentation grade pipe tomahawk with pewter inlaid fish, moon, acorn and war axe on cast iron blade. Period: Mid-19th century Origin: Eastern, US Size: Head 18", ov...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Native American Arms, Armor and Weapons

Materials

Iron

19th Century Native American Great Lakes Gun Stock Club

$28,750

H 31.5 in W 10 in D 10 in

19th Century Native American Great Lakes Gun Stock Club

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Well tacked Great Lakes gun stock club with tapering hexagonal point. Recessed hand grip and shaft, profusely decorated with a pattern of pewter head iron nails forming zig zag, circ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Metal

19th Century Northern Plains Gun Stock Club

$15,000

H 28 in W 4 in D 4 in

19th Century Northern Plains Gun Stock Club

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Gunstock club with carved and painted feather carvings at top, lines with red paint, 4" blade, original trade point. A real weapon of tiger maple. Exceptional patina. Period: 19th c...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Native American Arms, Armor and Weapons

Materials

Maple

Native American Chippewa Catlinite T-Pipe

$24,200

H 36 in W 4 in D 6 in

Native American Chippewa Catlinite T-Pipe

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

19th century Chippewa pipe with weeping hearts. Long stem Chippewa T-pipe with file burnt stem and steatite bowl having red Catlinite weeping hearts and pewter inlay. The bowl is squ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Native American Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Other

19th Century Native American Pipe Tomahawk

$23,000

H 21 in W 10 in D 10 in

19th Century Native American Pipe Tomahawk

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Native American pipe tomahawk with brass head engraved with American eagle having crest and "Hull Curttss, November 1, 1776". Shaft has tacks, pewter inlays and file burnt. Not sure ...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Brass

19th Century Eastern Ball Headed Club

$15,000

H 21 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in

19th Century Eastern Ball Headed Club

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Eastern ball headed war club of native walnut with carved face having square nailed spike set in lead. Ex. Norm Johnson Estate. Period: Mid-19th century Origin: Eastern, US Size: 21...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood

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Early American Pewter For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the early American pewter you’re looking for. Each early American pewter for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, pewter and wood. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect early American pewter — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. An early American pewter made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with neoclassical — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one early American pewter that is appealing in its simplicity, but Paul Evans, Chapman Manufacturing Company and Erwine & Estelle Laverne produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Early American Pewter?

The average selling price for an early American pewter at 1stDibs is $3,050, while they’re typically $95 on the low end and $210,000 for the highest priced.