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 Stencil

Ralph Cahoon

Stenciled Chairs

Black Gold Wall Mirror

19th Century Recamier

Painted And Stenciled Furniture

American Colonial Dining Chairs

19th Century Grain Painted Furniture

Victorian Revolving Bookcase

Early American Stencil Decorated Parcel Gilt Ebonized Needlepoint Side Chair

$788

H 32 in W 19 in D 19 in

Early American Stencil Decorated Parcel Gilt Ebonized Needlepoint Side Chair

Located in Germantown, MD

A charming Early American style Stencil Decorated, Parcel Gilt and Ebonized Side Chair with clean Needlepoint work upholstered seat.

Category

Early 20th Century American American Colonial Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Hardwood, Paint

Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Document Box 19th Century American

Price Upon Request

H 8.2 in W 15.5 in D 8.25 in

Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Document Box 19th Century American

Located in Hudson, NY

A spectacular and fine, dovetailed poplar, rosewood grain painted and ebonized document box. The gold stenciling is of a very fine quality. Retains the original fire gilded steel bai...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Painted Furniture

Materials

Gold, Steel

American Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Tall Clock by Rufus Cole

$18,500

H 88.5 in W 17 in D 10.5 in

American Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Tall Clock by Rufus Cole

Located in Essex, MA

A Rufus Cole Grain-Painted and Stenciled Case. Signed R. Cole Painter. Circa 1820-25 Rufus Cole worked in partnership with his father, Abraham, in the Mohawk Valley of New York a...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Grandfather Clocks and Longc...

Materials

Pine

Recent Sales

American Classical Carved and Gilt-Stenciled "Fancy" Chair, circa 1815-1820

Unavailable

H 32 in W 18 in D 17 in

American Classical Carved and Gilt-Stenciled "Fancy" Chair, circa 1815-1820

Located in Houston, TX

Possibly by John Banks or Phyfe workshops, New York City, tablet crest, with spread eagle, splat with lion head and cornucopia, caned seat, saber legs ending in hairy paw feet.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century North American American Classical Armchairs

Vintage American Black Painted Mirror with Gold Floral Stencil Design

Unavailable

H 18.75 in W 23.75 in D 0.5 in

Vintage American Black Painted Mirror with Gold Floral Stencil Design

Located in Concord, MA

Vintage American rectangular black painted mirror with gold floral stencil design. Currently wired for a horizontal orientation however, could be hung vertically. Dimensions: 18 3/4 ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Wall Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Antique Early American Stenciled Windsor Chair, 19th Century

Sold

H 35 in W 19.25 in D 15 in

Antique Early American Stenciled Windsor Chair, 19th Century

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique early American Windsor side chair offers spindle back over seat with ebonized stenciled band, raised on turned legs, 19th century Measures: 35" H x 19.25" W x 15" D.

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Colonial Windsor Chairs

Materials

Wood

American Colonial L Hitchcock Black Stenciled Rush Seat Dining Chairs, Set of 4

Sold

H 34 in W 17.5 in L 34 in

American Colonial L Hitchcock Black Stenciled Rush Seat Dining Chairs, Set of 4

By Lambert Hitchcock

Located in Philadelphia, PA

19th century American Colonial L. Hitchcock black stenciled rush seat dining chairs - Set of 4.

Category

Early 20th Century North American American Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Rope, Wood

American Empire Quervelle School Carved & Gilt Stenciled Mahogany Game Table

Sold

H 29.75 in W 36 in D 18 in

American Empire Quervelle School Carved & Gilt Stenciled Mahogany Game Table

Located in Big Flats, NY

***Inquire About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured*** American Empire Mahogany Game Table in the Manner of Quervelle with Foliate Carved...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Neoclassical American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Stenciled Work Table

Sold

H 28.5 in W 23.5 in D 17.5 in

Antique Neoclassical American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Stenciled Work Table

Located in Big Flats, NY

***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured*** Antique Neoclassical inspired work table offers flame mahogany construction with case ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Child’s Paint Decorated Stenciled High Chair

Sold

H 33 in W 14.25 in D 15 in

Child’s Paint Decorated Stenciled High Chair

Located in East Aurora, NY

An exceptionally nice example of an early American high chair in original condition.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Colonial Windsor Chairs

Materials

Elm

A Ralph Cahoon Painting Titled Cape Cod Jellies & Jams

Sold

H 16 in W 20 in

A Ralph Cahoon Painting Titled Cape Cod Jellies & Jams

Located in Downingtown, PA

Martha trained under her father learning the art of decorative painting called Rosemailing, a free-hand method using scrolls and flowers and early American stencil design. Ralph Caho...

Category

Late 20th Century American Paintings

Materials

Masonite

An Unusual & Important Painting by Ralph Cahoon

Sold

H 24.25 in W 20.75 in

An Unusual & Important Painting by Ralph Cahoon

Located in Downingtown, PA

Martha trained under her father learning the art of decorative painting called Rosemailing, a free-hand method using scrolls and flowers and early American stencil design. Ralph Caho...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Paintings

Materials

Masonite

Large Edwardian walnut and ash four-tier revolving bookcase

Sold

H 59 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in

Large Edwardian walnut and ash four-tier revolving bookcase

Located in Cheshire, GB

Large Edwardian walnut and ash four-tier revolving bookcase early 20th century, stencilled ' the American patent revolving bookcase, manufactured by Trubner & Co.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Bookcases

Early 19th Century Neoclassical Painted Stenciled Recamier, American

Sold

H 34 in W 74 in L 34 in

Early 19th Century Neoclassical Painted Stenciled Recamier, American

Located in Charleston, SC

Fabulous American early 19th century neoclassical painted stenciled Recamier.

Category

Antique 1830s American Neoclassical Chaise Longues

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early American Tall Table with Hand Painted Stenciled Top

Sold

H 30 in W 18 in D 16 in

Early American Tall Table with Hand Painted Stenciled Top

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Rustic early American Adirondack style tall side table with stained twig legs and hand painted stenciled top.

Category

Vintage 1920s Side Tables

Acanthus Brass Fixture with Stenciled Pendant and Tassel

Sold

H 29 in Dm 16 in L 29 in

Acanthus Brass Fixture with Stenciled Pendant and Tassel

Located in Minneapolis, MN

This opaque deep relief stencilled white glass tasselled globe filters the light through leaving nothing but warm glow. The stencilling on the schoolhouse shade elevates its look bey...

Category

Early 20th Century American American Empire Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze

Early American Stenciled Chest of Drawers

Sold

H 39.5 in W 38 in D 18 in

Early American Stenciled Chest of Drawers

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Early American four-drawer chest of drawers with stenciled details and original drop hinge pulls.

Category

Early 20th Century North American Dressers

Materials

Wood

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$5,187

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Masterful antique English grandfather clock, mahogany, 18th century

Located in Berlin, DE

Masterful antique English grandfather clock, mahogany, 18th century. English grandfather clock, 18th century, mahogany veneer with burl wood mirror, fluted full columns, elaborately...

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Antique 18th Century English Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

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Metal, Brass, Iron

Scottish Grandfather Clock

$2,650

H 76 in W 21 in D 9 in

Scottish Grandfather Clock

Located in New York, NY

Scottish Grandfather clock: Clock face painted with settings of the Fair Maid of Perth during the four seasons. Measures: 21" x 9" x 76" Weighs: 50 Lbs.

Category

Antique 19th Century Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Wood

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

$3,995

H 92 in W 20 in D 10.5 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. ...

Category

Antique 1820s English Georgian Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Beautiful Antique English Grandfather Clock, Oak, 19th Century

$2,533

H 82.68 in W 22.05 in D 9.85 in

Beautiful Antique English Grandfather Clock, Oak, 19th Century

Located in Berlin, DE

Beautiful antique English grandfather clock, oak, 19th century. English floor clock, oak with thread inlay, hand painted dial with arabic numerals and polychrome painting. massive...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Oak

Thomas Pringle Mahogany Case 8-Day Tall Clock, Dalkeith, Scotland, circa 1830’s

$5,900

H 89 in W 17.88 in D 10 in

Thomas Pringle Mahogany Case 8-Day Tall Clock, Dalkeith, Scotland, circa 1830’s

Located in Milford, NH

A fine example of an 8-day tall clock in mahogany case made by Thomas Pringle, Scottish clockmaker, active 1830-1836. This beautiful tall case clock features a swan’s neck split pedi...

Category

Antique 1830s Scottish Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Brass

Antique Georgian Scottish Orkney Island Tall Case 8 day Grandfather Clock 1810

$4,495

H 85.75 in W 21.5 in D 9.75 in

Antique Georgian Scottish Orkney Island Tall Case 8 day Grandfather Clock 1810

Located in Portland, OR

A fine & rare antique Georgian Scottish inlaid mahogany eight day tall case grandfather clock, by Patrick Bews, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, circa 1810. Just professionally serviced and...

Category

Antique 1810s Scottish Georgian Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Brass

George III Longcase Clock, Mahogany, Early 18th Century, England

$5,228Sale Price|20% Off

H 84.65 in W 19.69 in D 10.04 in

George III Longcase Clock, Mahogany, Early 18th Century, England

Located in Opole, PL

George III Era Longcase Clock – 18th Century his elegant 18th-century George III longcase clock is a true masterpiece of period craftsmanship, dating to the first half of the 1700s....

Category

Antique Early 18th Century English George III Grandfather Clocks and Lon...

Materials

Mahogany

Antique George III Quality Mahogany 8 Day Longcase Clock

$7,896

H 88.59 in W 20.87 in D 9.45 in

Antique George III Quality Mahogany 8 Day Longcase Clock

Located in Suffolk, GB

Antique George III quality mahogany 8 day longcase clock having a quality mahogany case with a swan neck pediment, turned columns, mahogany and glass arched shaped door opening to re...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English George III Grandfather Clocks and Lon...

Materials

Other

Antique Georgian Long Case Grandfather Clock Higgs & Evans London Spanish Market

$22,000

H 104.5 in W 21.5 in D 10.25 in

Antique Georgian Long Case Grandfather Clock Higgs & Evans London Spanish Market

By Robert and Peter Higgs of London

Located in Portland, OR

A fabulous investment quality antique George III Flame mahogany & gilt bronze eight day movement tall case grandfather clock, by Robert & Peter Higgs & David Evans, made for the Span...

Category

Antique 1770s English George III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

Grain Painted Blanket Chest American

$3,375Sale Price|25% Off

H 22.5 in W 42.5 in D 16.5 in

Grain Painted Blanket Chest American

Located in Hudson, NY

Painted blanket chest with bracketed feet and beautiful saw tooth apron. Top with molded edge and stepped cleats. An absolute delight, this festive 18th century jewel made of pine wi...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Early 19th C. American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany with Eglomise Landscape

$1,885

H 31.5 in W 17.5 in D 4.5 in

Early 19th C. American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany with Eglomise Landscape

By Eli Terry & Sons

Located in Atlanta, GA

Early 19th Century American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany with Eglomise Painted Landscape Scene, Eli Terry

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

English Masonic Oak Tall Case Clock H. Peach. Circa 1820

$26,000

H 80.5 in W 17.5 in D 9.75 in

English Masonic Oak Tall Case Clock H. Peach. Circa 1820

By H. Peach

Located in Charleston, SC

English Oak Masonic tall case clock with brass Eagle finial over broken pediment, arched bonnet, fluted brass hood columns with upper secret drawer, hand painted decorative face, mas...

Category

Antique 1820s English George III Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany

$1,885

H 31.5 in W 17.5 in D 4.5 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

Antique 19th Century American Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Mahogany Tall Case Clock By W. Ashford, London

$8,500

H 84 in W 18.5 in D 8 in

Regency Mahogany Tall Case Clock By W. Ashford, London

Located in Essex, MA

With arched bonnet with brass finials over a convex glass bezel opening to a steel clock face. Newly cleaned and put in ready to go condition. The case with pendulum door. Weights, k...

Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique Mahogany 8-Day Longcase Clock

$5,385

H 87.01 in W 20.08 in D 9.06 in

Antique Mahogany 8-Day Longcase Clock

Located in Suffolk, GB

Antique mahogany 8 day longcase clock J N Tilbury Guernsey with a swan-neck pediment original brass finial, lovely decorative and colorful arched painted dial with date and seconds d...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Grandfather Clocks and Longca...

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century French Louis XV Carved Oak Long-Case Clock from Normandy

$4,100

H 94 in W 20 in D 10 in

18th Century French Louis XV Carved Oak Long-Case Clock from Normandy

Located in Dallas, TX

This tall and elegant horloge de parquet was crafted in Normandy, France, circa 1780. Built of solid oak, the stately grandfather clock stands on a molded straight plinth and feature...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Grandfather Clocks and Longcase...

Materials

Oak

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Early American Stencil For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the early American stencil you’re looking for. Each early American stencil for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, fabric and mahogany. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer early American stencil, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. An early American stencil is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in mid-century modern, folk art and industrial styles are sought with frequency. A well-made early American stencil has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Matthew Weinstein, Annin & Co. and Paul Frankl are consistently popular.

How Much is a Early American Stencil?

An early American stencil can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $3,676, while the lowest priced sells for $45 and the highest can go for as much as $35,000.

Questions About Early American Stencil

How do I identify early American furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
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?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
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.