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 Stamford, CT
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 of Colonial Brass 3 Light Wall Sconces
Located in valatie, NY
Pair of colonial brass 3 light wall sconces. Classic 18th c design sand cast in beautifully patinated brass. They have never been wired.
Brass
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
$875
H 12.75 in W 7 in D 2.5 in
Mid-Century Amorphic Crystal & Brass Two Arm Candelabra Signed Schneider
By Schneider
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century amorphic crystal and brass candle holder, signed Schneider, France, circa 1950, is an elegant embodiment of the refined artistry and modern sensibilities that define...
Crystal, Brass
Mid-Century Crystal & Brass Amorphic Four Arm Candelabra Signed Schneider
By Schneider
Located in New York, NY
This mid-century amorphic four-arm candelabra, signed Schneider, is a stunning example of French elegance and craftsmanship from circa 1950. Combining a sculptural crystal base and g...
Crystal, Brass
$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
Sculptural Vintage Spanish Four Arm Candelabra Cast Iron Brass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage 4 Arm Brass Candelabra Oil Lamp Cast Iron Stand Style Spanish Revival Rancho Monterey 12.5 h x 10.5 diameter Unrestored original vintage...
Iron, Brass
$693Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 18 in W 10 in D 10 in
Dresden 5 Arms Porcelain Candelabras, circa 1930s a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Product details A good quality pair of early 20th century Meissen Porcelain five branch candelabra, each having wonderful floral, Roses encrusted decoration, with figures of a wom...
Porcelain
Pair of Large Antique Giltwood Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of large antique giltwood sconces. Stunning pair of giltwood and gilt iron two-light candle sconces, circa 1920. These gorgeous Continen...
Iron
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
Tall Antique Korean "Longevity" Brass Candlestick, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
A tall and elegant antique Korean candlestick, circa 1900. The body crafted in two parts, and featuring circular brass reflector with a charming design of butterflies and magnolia...
Brass
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