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.
Federal Style Wood Fireplace Mantel
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th Century American white painted fireplace mantle with strong molding and handsome detailing. Dimensions of opening: 32.45" w x 29.13" h
Wood
$9,713Sale Price|24% Off
Carved and Painted Wooden Eagle with Shield in the style of John Haley Bellamy
Located in Savannah, GA
In all original untouched condition including weathered paint, this wonderful Folk Art wall plaque speaks for itself. Substantial size. It looks to be made to be mounted on a ledge, ...
Wood
$750Sale Price|21% Off
Ionic Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A plaster study of an ionic column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.
Plaster
$750Sale Price|21% Off
Corinithian Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A plaster study of a corinthian column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.
Plaster
Vintage Polished Brass Mail Slot and Door Knocker
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add a touch of vintage antique charm to your entry front door with this "Two-in-One" brass mail slot and door knocker. Ready to mount. Screws not inclu...
Brass
Large Cast New England Bank Patriotic Eagle and Clipper Ship Plaque
Located in Nantucket, MA
Cast and Gilded Patriotic Eagle with Clipper Ship Plaque, with a Clutch of Arrows and an Olive Branch in it's Talons, mid 20th Century, from a Boston Bank...
Composition
$1,164
H 4.34 in W 4.14 in D 1.97 in
Reproduction in solid 800 silver of an old Italian military ration box and spoon
By Calegaro
Located in VALENZA, IT
Reproduction in solid 800 silver of an old Italian military ration box with spoon The body is hammered and has a wire handle mounted on the sides with a...
Silver
Brass Palais Door Handle by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Palais Door Handle by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 13 x D 8 x H 2 cm Materials: Brass Palais lever handle in high tensile brass or aluminium. Each ha...
Brass
$1,980
H 10.13 in W 28 in D 4 in
Bellamy Style Carved Wooden Eagle w/ Banner & Shield, Don’t Give Up The Ship
Located in Milford, NH
A fine polychrome wooden eagle hand carved in the style of John Haley Bellamy (1836-1914) with nice carved feather detail, a banner which reads “Don’t Give Up The Ship” , and a Liber...
Wood
Teakwood Architectural Temple Pediment
Located in Chicago, IL
This giant architectural element once graced the pediment of a Northern Thai temple. It is from Chiang, Mai, Thailand and entirely made from Teakwood, which is naturally resistant ...
Teak
Elegant Italian Fireplace Mantel
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Lovely elegant 18th century fireplace mantel in Carrara white marble. This Italian beauty with its beautifully shaped jambs with scroll to top was originally build into the wall. ...
Carrara Marble
$1,795Sale Price|30% Off
H 9.88 in W 14 in D 2.5 in
18th century Georgian Decorative Mahogany and Brass Door Lock in Heart Design
Located in Savannah, GA
Decorative rim lock mechanism made of solid mahogany and brass. The brass hardware is all-original and includes a handle that doubles as a knocker which also ...
Brass
Thomas Jefferson Crannock Carved Cane
Located in Darnestown, MD
Unique carved cane that chronicles the life and achievements of Thomas Jefferson. Among the carved words are "Thos. Jefferson of Va Born Apr 2,1743 Wa...
Wood
Griffin Plaque
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Rescued from a building in Detroit MI, this turn of the century plaque provides a grand embellishment in a manner that can’t be replicated. A truly ...
Stone
$1,950
H 7.75 in W 7 in D 1.5 in
French 18th c Door Knocker with Original Cast Iron Knocker & Wrought Iron Back
Located in valatie, NY
French 18th c Door Knocker with Original Cast Iron Knocker and Wrought Iron Back. This hand-wrought iron door knocker with a pierced scrolling back...
Wrought Iron
Old Fireplace Mantel
Located in Made, NL
Elegant mantelpiece of French limestone from the 19th century! This antique mantelpiece has beautiful lines and ornaments and is calm in appearance! A fireplace with a warm appearanc...
Limestone
New England Copper Architectural Finial
Located in Stamford, CT
A New England molded and soldered copper architectural finial in form of a pineapple.
Copper
$45,325
H 82.68 in W 53.15 in D 27.56 in
Esmond Burton Portland Stone Sculpture from the Bank of England Annexe
Located in London, GB
A massive carved Portland stone tableau of the reigning monarchs, William & Mary (1689-1702), granting The Bank of England Charter in 1694. Sculptor Esmond Burton (1885-1964). Part of a collection of approximately 45 statues and carvings commissioned by the Bank of England to adorn it’s Annexe built in the 1950’s at One New Change in the City of London. They were removed prior to the building being demolished in 2007. This group was above the Cheapside entry to the courtyard and was flanked either side by statues of Sir John Houblon, the first Governor of the Bank and Michael Godfrey...
Stone
Vintage Pine Mantelpiece, 1900-50
Located in Kenilworth, IL
American Federal style mantelpiece with a projecting mantle shelf over an entablature of triglyphs and metopes supported by flanking pilasters and a central tablet. The upper mantle ...
Pine
Architectural Wooden Fan Form Element in Old White Paint
Located in Milford, NH
A nice example of an architectural wooden radial fan form element in old white paint, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, in very good overall condition, with some minor p...
Wood
Sold
H 11.75 in W 22.75 in D 1 in
Pair of 18th Century American Federal Period Carved Fan Shaped Lintels
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful pair of fan shaped late 18th century American Federal period lintels or over doors with exquisitely detailed carving. The distressed painted surface adds a lot of character...
Wood
Sold
H 33 in W 12 in D 11.75 in
Pair of 19th Turned Wood Architectural Finials of Urn Form, Early Paint
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of late Federal turned wood gate pier finials of urn-form, having great scale and proportion with spiral carved flame finials and retaining remnants of old blue-grey paint and t...
Pine
18th c Large Federal Style American Wooden Fireplace Mantel
Located in Savannah, GA
Large size wooden fireplace mantel from "keeping Room" of a 18th century New England home. Nice subtle details including dental molding and flu...
Poplar
Antique American Federal Style Wood Fireplace Mantle
Located in Sheffield, MA
The original paint has been cleaned off and removed for you to decide how you would like to finish this wonderful antique American fireplace...
Wood
Pair of American Classical Carved Wood Ionic Columns
Located in Essex, MA
Removed as salvage from a house.
Wood
Vintage Federal Style Palladium Mirrored Window
Located in Redding, CT
Vintage Federal style Palladium mirrored window. Great piece for that shabby chic household. Great above a mantel or foyer table or above a bed. Chipp...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 19 in W 103 in D 2.5 in
19th Century Federal Painted Wooden Architectural Doorway Fan or Transom
Located in Milford, NH
A splendid wooden architectural doorway fan, perhaps from over the main entrance to a Federal period home, with nicely carved and molded edges, i...
Wood
1920s American Brass Federal Eagle Door Knocker
Located in Stamford, CT
1920s Federal style solid brass eagle door knocker. Very heavy high quality construction. Overall unpolished patina. No makers mark. Hanging hardware...
Brass
Sold
H 55.5 in W 69.5 in D 8.5 in
Charleston Cypress and Heart Pine Mantel With Starburst Motif. Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Charleston Cypress and Heart Pine fire place mantel with carved molded upper shelf, center carved decorative oval sunburst panel, flanking Ionic columns and resting on lower squared ...
Pine
Antique Carved Wooden Federal Mantel with Bullseye Detail
Located in New York, NY
Full columns dress the jambs of this early American Federal style mantel. It has tablets on both sides below the curved shelf with projections on ...
Wood