Federal Server
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Console Tables
Mahogany, Pine
Antique 1820s American Federal Serving Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Federal Buffets
Brass
20th Century American Federal Credenzas
Brass
1990s American Regency Sideboards
Mahogany
Antique 1810s American Federal Serving Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century North American Federal Sideboards
Brass
20th Century American Federal Credenzas
Mahogany
Vintage 1910s Federal Sideboards
Mahogany
20th Century American Federal Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables
Brass
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century American Federal Sideboards
Mahogany, Cedar
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Federal Serving Tables
Cherry, Pine, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Federal Sideboards
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Sideboards
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century American Federal Buffets
Brass
Late 20th Century American Federal Sideboards
Brass
Late 20th Century American Federal Sideboards
Brass
Late 20th Century American Federal Console Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Federal Buffets
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Buffets
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Federal Buffets
Mahogany
20th Century American Federal Sideboards
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Dressers
Birdseye Maple, Cherry
Antique 1810s American Federal Sideboards
Brass
American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
21st Century and Contemporary American Federal Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Cherry
Antique 1810s American Sheraton Serving Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Empire Sideboards
Cherry
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Sideboards
Hardwood
20th Century North American Federal Sideboards
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s British Federal Sideboards
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s American Federal Sideboards
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Federal Sideboards
Brass
1990s American Federal Buffets
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Federal Sideboards
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century American Federal Sideboards
Brass
1990s American Federal Buffets
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Federal Sideboards
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Federal Buffets
Brass
Mid-20th Century North American Federal Carts and Bar Carts
Glass, Mahogany
Vintage 1970s American Federal Credenzas
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Federal Console Tables
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s American Federal Buffets
Brass
Vintage 1910s Federal Console Tables
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Sideboards
Brass
Mid-20th Century Buffets
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Console Tables
Mahogany
20th Century Federal Sideboards
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century English Federal Shelves
Mahogany
Vintage 1920s English Federal Side Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birdseye Maple, Pine
Antique Early 19th Century American Hepplewhite Sideboards
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Federal Carts and Bar Carts
Metal, Brass
Antique 1810s American Federal Sideboards
Cherry, Mahogany
Antique 1820s American Federal Serving Tables
Mahogany
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Federal Server For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Federal Server?
A Close Look at Federal Furniture
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.