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.
Brass Candelabra with Four Arms Vintage Signed
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage brass candelabra in continental or traditional style has 4 figurative arms and heavy, stable round base. Each candle holder is fitted...
Brass, Metal, Bronze
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Large American Federal Style Eagle Wood Carved Two-Light Sconce
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This wood carved and gold gilded antique sconce features a majestic eagle with spread wings beneath a tied bow. The candle arms are of patinated scrolled brass and very finely detail...
Brass
Antique American Hardwood Candlesticks, Original Bobeches, circa 1900
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique American pair of hardwood candlesticks - lathe turned - original metal bobeches - original wool felt liners to the bases - unsigned - United States - circa 1900. Good antiq...
Metal
$1,250Sale Price|47% Off
H 29 in W 40 in D 6 in
Vintage Italian Gilt Metal and Wood 7-Light Candle Sconce, 1960s
By Palladio
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
8-157 Italian gilt metal and wood 7-light candle sconce with foil details. Large size lends itself as an elaborate wall sculpture.
Metal
$3,250 / set
H 42 in W 13.5 in D 4 in
Pair of Federal Eagle Carved Gilt Wall Sconces, Two Lights, 19th Century
Located in Manhasset, NY
A fine pair of two-light wall sconce. Each ribbon form in the Federal taste having gilt tassels and bow design with ebonized hi lights. Both depicting a winged eagle in flight. Hard...
Wood
Pair English Turned Elm and Brass Candlesticks, Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of English Edwardian period hand turned Elm wood candlesticks with brass bobeche. Quite the handsome pair, reasonably priced, will make a great gift...
Brass
$1,616
H 12.21 in W 17.33 in D 6.3 in
Polychrome porcelain candlestick on a patinated bronze mount, circa 1900
Located in NICE, FR
This rare piece captivates with the poetry of its composition. At the center stand two Chinese figures, rendered with great softness; their finely executed faces express serenity and...
Bronze
Pair of French Wrought Iron Two-light Wall Sconces, 1930s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of large hand-crafted gilt iron two-arm electrified wall sconces, France, 1930s. Both sconces are in fine vintage condition, gilt very well preserved, beautiful aged patina, ...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Crystal Candelabra with 4 Arms of Lights, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of 20th century crystal candelabras with 4 arms of lights. H: 55,5cm, D: 25cm Please contact us before ordering to confirm availability.
Crystal
$1,400 / set
H 12.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
Pair Antique English Edwardian Silver Plated Candlesticks, Circa 1900's
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique English Edwardian silver plated candlesticks, Circa 1900's.
Silver Plate
$1,032 / set
H 16.75 in W 9 in D 3 in
Antique Pair Ormolu Two Light Wall Electric Sconces Appliques Maison Lucien Gau
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Fine Quality Pair of French Napoleon lll Style Gilt Bronze heavy gauge Twin Arm Electric Wall Candle Sconces Lights, of very generous proportions and outstanding quality. Made by the...
Bronze, Ormolu
Four Antique Rococo Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in London, GB
These gilt bronze (ormolu) wall sconces (lights) are elaborate and highly elegant in their design. They are fashioned in the Rococo style, after decorative arts of the Louis XV perio...
Ormolu, Bronze
$4,250 / set
H 25 in W 10 in D 9 in
Pair of Antique Early 19th Century Federal Giltwood Wall Sconces with Eagles
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of antique early 19th century federal giltwood wall sconces with eagles.
Giltwood
Two French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
These two sconces have been crafted in the Empire style, which was popularised by the French Emperor, Napoleon I. The Empire style is characterised by its grandeur and use of opulent...
Ormolu, Bronze
$4,200 / set
H 16.5 in W 12.25 in D 9.25 in
Pair of 19th Century French Carved and Gilt Wood Candle Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming pair of mid-19th century French candle sconces with carved floral-potted urn backplates, and gilt metal and wood arms. Sconces could be electrified for an additional fee.
Gold Leaf
Pair Antique Sandwich Glass Whale Oil Lamps c. 1820
Located in Westfield, MA
This elegant pair of early 19th-century Sandwich Glass whale oil lamps is a striking example of American craftsmanship from the 1820s. The lamps feature a delicate etched floral desi...
Glass
Sold
H 44 in W 14 in D 9 in
Antique Italian Federal Style Carved Gold Gilded Candle Wall Sconce - Pair
By Palladio
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Italian Federal Style Figural Carved Gold Gilded Candle Wall Sconce - Pair Decorate your wall with these ornate gilt wood sconces. E...
Wood, Giltwood
Pair of Antique English Federal Period Brass Push-Up Candlesticks
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of diminutive Federal brass candlesticks with push-up mechanism from England.
Brass
Vintage Pair of Italian Carved Giltwood Mirrored Eagle Sconces
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Vintage pair of Italian carved giltwood mirrored eagle sconces Early 20th century pair of richly gilded hand carved wooden sconces. Each two c...
Giltwood
Sold
H 12 in W 15 in D 4.5 in
Vintage Federal Figural Brass and Cut Crystal Lyre Candle Light Wall Sconces
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage pair of figural wall sconces offer cast brass construction in lyre form with central phoenix having two foliate form arms terminating in candle sockets, hanging cut crystal...
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 9.75 in Dm 3.25 in
Federal Style Hawkes Etched Rose Glass and Sterling Candlesticks, circa 1930
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique pair of Hawkes glass candle sticks offer tapered rose pink-to-clear glass stems having etched swag and foliate decoration and with sterling silver capitals and weighted ba...
Sterling Silver