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
$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 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
1910 American Federal style sconces
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1910's American style bronze one light sconces with arrows and stars in design. Unusual arm shape
Bronze
$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
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 Edwardian Oak Candlesticks, Circa 1900
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of Edwardian oak candlesticks from England, circa 1900. The candle cups have elegant shape to them and have bobeches beneath them for catching the candle drippings. The stems ...
Oak
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
Pair of Brass Candlesticks, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
A pair of brass candlesticks, circa 1900-1910. Measures: Height 31 cm. Diameter 13.5 cm.
Brass
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
$380Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.49 in Dm 5.52 in
Hugo Berger Jugendstil Candlestick, Wrought Iron, Germany, Circa 1900
By Hugo Berger
Located in PARIS, FR
Arts & Crafts / Jugendstil candlestick signed Goberg a German secession Hugo Berger in wrought iron circa 1900. This candlestick has a pretty pati...
Iron
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
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