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
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
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
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
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. Th...
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
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
$676Sale Price|44% Off
H 1.66 in Dm 5.32 in
Circular Push-Pull Door Handle in Brass, Mid-20th Century, France
Located in London, GB
Circular push-pull door handle in brass, with hammered texture. Mid-20th century. Found in France. The handle is made up of two separate pieces with hammered texture; each trimmed w...
Metal, Brass
New England Copper Architectural Finial
Located in Stamford, CT
A New England molded and soldered copper architectural finial in form of a pineapple.
Copper
Large Victorian Cast Iron Canal Lock Wheel from Paddington Basin, London
Located in London, GB
A substantial Victorian cast-iron wheel originating from the Paddington Basin section of London's Regent's Canal, retaining its richly weathered surface and remarkable sculptural pre...
Iron, Cast Iron
Pair of Brass Door Handles by William Tonks & Sons
Located in London, GB
A pair of Edwardian brass door handles by William Tonks & Sons of Birmingham. W T & S sun mark to back. William Tonks founded the firm in 1789. T...
Brass
$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
Vintage Cast Brass Quohog Clam Door Knocker
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous cast brass Quohog clam door knocker, perfect for your Nantucket, Cape, or Hamptons home! This piece was designed by Michael Healy, an accomplished Rhode Island artisan. Mi...
Brass
$676
H 8.86 in W 4.93 in D 1.97 in
Hexagonal Midcentury Door Handle of Hammered Brass and Copper, Italy
Located in London, GB
Italian mid-century door handle of hammered brass and blackened copper, in long asymmetrical hexagonal form. Hand-crafted piece with a hammered pattern to the brass and smooth dee...
Copper, Brass
$25,559
H 43.5 in W 57.63 in D 15.75 in
French Louis XVI Style Breche Violette Antique Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A 19th century French Louis XVI style breche Violette marble fireplace. The shaped, scrolled jambs with carved square paterae above. The bowed frieze with flutes throughout and shape...
Marble
Vintage Pine Mantelpiece, 1900-50
Located in Chicago, 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
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
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
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
Sold
H 14 in W 38 in D 2.5 in
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