What is a Federal style mirror?

Federal-style mirrors refer to American mirrors made during the late 1700s through the early 1800s. Most of these mirrors were made of hardwood overlaid with bronze gilt or gold leaf. Federal-style mirrors are ornate and are frequently topped with eagles. On 1stDibs, shop for antique Federal-style mirrors from top sellers.

What is a Federal convex mirror?

Federal convex mirrors were created during the era of 1790-1830. This was a time of strong patriotism in the United States, prompting the Federalist movement. Convex mirrors had been around for quite some time and featured a convex shape, which made the most of fire light and displaced it throughout the room. Adding a Federalist element often meant eagles or something acknowledging the 13 colonies. Shop a collection of Federalist furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

When were federal mirrors made?

Federal mirrors were made during the Federal period, which began after the Revolutionary War and lasted through the early 19th century. 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. Find a range of Federal mirrors on 1stDibs.

Federal Mirrors

Mahogany And Gilt Mirror

Regency Convex Mirror

Eagle Carved American

Early American Mirror

American Philadelphia Empire Cheval Mirror, circa 1825

$3,781Sale Price|20% Off

American Philadelphia Empire Cheval Mirror, circa 1825

By Anthony Quervelle

Located in Dereham, GB

American Philadelphia Empire mahogany cheval mirror, circa 1825. Certainly has the quality of top Philadelphia cabinet maker. The oval mirror with ribbon moulding on front of frame...

Category

Antique 1820s American Federal Floor Mirrors and Full-Length Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Gilded Gold Wood Floor Mirror by John Richard

$2,400

Gilded Gold Wood Floor Mirror by John Richard

By John Richard

Located in Toledo, OH

Gilded floor mirror by John Richard. Mirror features a serpentine arched top with a paneled boarder throughout. Each section has a distressed mirror with a thin beveled edge. Carved ...

Category

20th Century North American Federal Floor Mirrors and Full-Length Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Vintage Neoclassical Giltwood Pier Mantel Mirror with Urn and Rosettes

$900

Vintage Neoclassical Giltwood Pier Mantel Mirror with Urn and Rosettes

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

Designed in the tradition of late-18th-century French Louis XVI, English Adam and American Federal pier mirrors, it brings classical formality to both traditional and contemporary in...

Category

Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mir...

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

19th C. American Carved Wood East Lake Painted Mirror

$1,100

19th C. American Carved Wood East Lake Painted Mirror

Located in Sheffield, MA

Hardware included. Pier mirror, console mirror, mantle mirror. Federal style.

Category

Antique 1890s American Eastlake Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors

Materials

Wood

1920's Caldwell Federal Style Bronze Sconces with Mirror

$3,400 / item

1920's Caldwell Federal Style Bronze Sconces with Mirror

Located in New York, NY

1920 Caldwell bronze double light sconces federal style with convex mirror inset

Category

Vintage 1910s American Federal Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Federal Style Carved Mahogany Mirrored Display Cabinet by Pulaski, 20th C

$1,440Sale Price|20% Off

Federal Style Carved Mahogany Mirrored Display Cabinet by Pulaski, 20th C

By Pulaski Furniture Corporation

Located in Big Flats, NY

A Federal style display case by Pulaski offers mahogany construction with broken arch crest having central carved finial over case having double glass doors opening to shelved and mi...

Category

20th Century American Federal Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany, Glass, Mirror

Pair Federal Neoclassical Brass Mirror Supports or Drapery Curtain Tie Backs

$495 / set

Pair Federal Neoclassical Brass Mirror Supports or Drapery Curtain Tie Backs

Located in Litchfield, CT

Pair antique early 19th c. American Federal neoclassical brass round mirror supports or drapery tiebacks.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Curtains and Valances

Materials

Brass

Lovely Federal Mahogany and Marble Vanity with Bronze Details

$1,440Sale Price|51% Off

Lovely Federal Mahogany and Marble Vanity with Bronze Details

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Elegant mahogany Federal style antique vanity table having gorgeous bronze details and white marble top. There's a single drawer and two mini side drawers. Original key included. M...

Category

Antique 19th Century North American Federal Vanities

Materials

Marble

Pair of Mirrored Wall Sconces with Stars

$3,900 / set

Pair of Mirrored Wall Sconces with Stars

By Edward F. Caldwell & Co.

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Pair of antique raw metal Federal style wall sconces with classic convex mirrors and star burst tops all in a chic tight form.

Category

20th Century American Federal Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Metal

Eagle Design Gilt Bronze Sconces With Mirror

$3,600

Eagle Design Gilt Bronze Sconces With Mirror

Located in New York, NY

A pair of 1930's Eagle design gilt bronze sconces with convex mirrored backplate, one light

Category

Vintage 1930s American Federal Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

32" Wide & 79" Tall Solid Cherry Cylinder Style Secretary Desk Beveled Glass

$4,800

32" Wide & 79" Tall Solid Cherry Cylinder Style Secretary Desk Beveled Glass

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Narrow 32" Wide & 79" Tall Solid Cherry Cylinder Style Secretary Desk w/ Beveled Glass Bookcase MINT

Category

20th Century American Federal Secretaires

Materials

Brass

American Empire Mahogany and Marble Classical Console, NY, circa 1825

$7,600Sale Price|20% Off

American Empire Mahogany and Marble Classical Console, NY, circa 1825

By Duncan Phyfe

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

An American ‘Federal’ console with a mirrored back in well figured ‘crotch’ mahogany with white marble front columns and matching white marble pilasters to the rear, with gold leaf c...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Admiral Eagle Federal Round Bull’s-Eye Wall Mirror

$900

Admiral Eagle Federal Round Bull’s-Eye Wall Mirror

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

Beautiful round mirror with eagle surmount. In a bronze hue. A great example of the American federal style.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Wall Mirrors

Materials

Resin, Plastic

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Federal Mirrors For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of federal mirrors available for sale. Each of these unique federal mirrors was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, glass and mirror. Federal mirrors have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Federal mirrors bearing Neoclassical or Regency hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Many federal mirrors are appealing in their simplicity, but Friedman Brothers, Isaac Platt and Turner Manufacturing Company produced popular federal mirrors that are worth a look.

How Much are Federal Mirrors?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $2,498, while they’re typically $100 on the low end and $92,500 highest priced.

Finding the Right Mirrors for You

Vintage mirrors have long been a measure of craftsmanship, from gilded Rococo frames to the sunburst shapes that became a signature of mid-century design.

Styles to Know

An arched or sunburst mirror reads more decorative, while a plain rectangular frame lets the room around it stand out. Hang one above a vintage vanity or a mid-century modern dresser, or lean a larger floor mirror against the wall as a standalone piece.

How to Choose the Right Vintage Mirror

Foxing and an aged frame usually read as character rather than damage, worth weighing against a listing's condition notes. For placement ideas, our 12 dramatic mirrors feature is a good place to start. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era and designer on record, and the 1stDibs Promise covers each purchase.

Questions About Federal Mirrors

What is a Federal style mirror?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
Federal-style mirrors refer to American mirrors made during the late 1700s through the early 1800s. Most of these mirrors were made of hardwood overlaid with bronze gilt or gold leaf. Federal-style mirrors are ornate and are frequently topped with eagles. On 1stDibs, shop for antique Federal-style mirrors from top sellers.
What is a Federal convex mirror?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Federal convex mirrors were created during the era of 1790-1830. This was a time of strong patriotism in the United States, prompting the Federalist movement. Convex mirrors had been around for quite some time and featured a convex shape, which made the most of fire light and displaced it throughout the room. Adding a Federalist element often meant eagles or something acknowledging the 13 colonies. Shop a collection of Federalist furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
When were federal mirrors made?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
Federal mirrors were made during the Federal period, which began after the Revolutionary War and lasted through the early 19th century. 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. Find a range of Federal mirrors on 1stDibs.

20 Artfully Crafted Mirrors to Frame Your Reflection

In "Object Permanence 4," on view at the 1stdibs Gallery, Emma Holland Denvir and Leah Ring have brought together pieces that range from polished to playful.