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.
Vintage Waterford Crystal Lismore Carriage Clock
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
An elegant addition to any mantle or desk, the Lismore Carriage Clock features an elegant cream clockface with Roman numerals and brass finish, set in a sweeping frame of fine, handc...
Crystal
Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form signed Willard on the reverse glass. Boston State house on lower panel. Brass eagle finial. Not currently working but can be.
Metal
Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Case Clock, Jedediah Weiss, Bethlehem
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Federal cherry tall case clock with a brass eight day works signed Jedediah Weiss Bethlehem, with beautiful inlay including a contrasting fan carving above the waist d...
Cherry, Maple, Satinwood
Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form with white enamel dial and reverse painted waist and pendulum door. With key and pendulum.
Brass
American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock, Eli Terry, Circa 1825
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany pillar and scroll mantel clock with a broken arch pediment, three urn wood finials, flanking ringed columns, hinged glass d...
Brass
John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock
By John Nicholl
Located in New York, NY
Federal Tall Case Clock Made and Signed by John Nicholl, (1784-1862) Belvidere, New Jersey Circa 1825 Primary Wood: Mahogany, Mahogany Ven...
Mahogany, Maple
$297Sale Price|30% Off
Mason & Sullivan West German Oak Pillar & Scroll Shelf Mantel Clock 31"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid to late 20th century Mason & Sullivan pillar and scroll style, chiming, key wound mantel / shelf clock. Slim rectangular wooden case flanked with slender pillars and scrollwo...
Glass
American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820
By Silas Hoadley
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany one day tall case clock with the original brass ball finials resting on three carved upper capitals, decorative intertwined fret work, arched hood with bras...
Brass
American Federal Banjo Wall Clock
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal banjo design wall clock with gold stenciling and painted glass ship scene panel. (Not working)
Glass
Elmer O. Stennes Weymouth MA Eglomise Girandole Banjo Clock
By Elmer O. Stennes
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful example of a hand made girandole banjo clock by well known Weymouth, Massachusetts clockmaker Elmer O. Stennes (1911-1975), with a signed circular face with brass ball surround, surmounted by a gilt carved eagle...
Brass
Early 1900s Carved Walnut Durfee Case Elliot Movement 5 Tube Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite early 1900s grandfather clock is a fine example of American craftsmanship, featuring a richly carved walnut Durfee case paired with an exceptional Elliot 5-tube chimin...
Walnut
American Federal Birch and Birdseye Maple Tall Case Clock, Wingate, ca 1820
By Frederick Wingate
Located in Essex, MA
American Tall Case or Longcase Clock by Frederick Wingate, Augusta, ME 1818. This very well-proportioned clock is made of indigenous wood, birch, Birdseye maple and pine secondary w...
Birch, Birdseye Maple, Pine
Antique Colonial Mfg Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Colonial Mfg. Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock. Item features a working lock and key, includes all parts pictured. Very ...
Wood
American Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Tall Clock by Rufus Cole
Located in Essex, MA
A Rare and Complete American Federal Tall Case Clock. Riley Whiting Wooden Works, original. A Rufus Cole Grain-Painted and Stenciled Case. S...
Pine
$15,000
H 90 in W 21.75 in D 11.25 in
English Chestnut and Mahogany Tall Case Clock. John Coates, London, Circa 1750
By John Coates
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chestnut and Mahogany tall case clock with broken arch pediment, floral rosettes, original brass urn finials, dolphin and figural ormolu face, original arched hood with glass door, cross banded...
Brass
Rococo Giltwood Clock
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine 18th century rococo carved and giltwood shelf clock, the crest with stork holding a bone in his beak pearched on a romantic castle ruin with carved...
Giltwood
$5,014
H 94.89 in W 23.23 in D 8.27 in
19th Century Swedish Ántique Grandfather Clock Tall Case Clock Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Folk Art tall case clock from Luleå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Made in wood. Nice details and beautiful carvings. Beautiful handpainted flowers on the front. The M...
Pine
$6,843Sale Price|34% Off
H 92.52 in W 25.2 in D 10.24 in
Tall Case Clock, Bristol, England, circa 1830, Victorian
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The case of the grandfather clock is made of mahogany and was possibly made by the watchmaker Nathaniel Edgecombe. The clock is from Bristol England, circa 1830. + The ship in the d...
Nutwood, Spruce
Antique Enameled Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
The contrast between rich blue enamel, in light and dark hues, and bright gilt bronze gives this carriage clock a sumptuous, luxurious feel. With a t...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Regency Mahogany Tall Case Clock By W. Ashford, London
Located in Essex, MA
With arched bonnet with brass finials over a convex glass bezel opening to a steel clock face. Newly cleaned and put in ready to go condition. The case with pendulum door. Weights, k...
Brass, Iron
$3,950
H 40 in W 10.25 in D 3.88 in
Waltham 8 Day Banjo Clock for Shreve Crump and Low, Simon Willard Patent
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of the Waltham “Willard” presentation model weight driven banjo clock. Waltham banjo clocks of Willard Design are faithful reproduc...
Brass
Victorian Mahogany Cased French Striking Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Mahogany mantel clock in a break arch case with brass columns to either side, brass inlay to the front and surmounted by four brass finials. Beautifully d...
Mahogany
French White Marble and Ormolu Pillar Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French ormolu and white marble pillar clock with ormolu mounts surmounted by an ornate finial with and standing on four gilded bun feet. The four pillars have fine ormolu mounts and are decorated with ornate chain swags. Enamel dial with Arabic numerals and finely cut original gilded hands. Eight day French striking movement with outside countwheel and starburst pendulum, circa 1870 An exceptionally fine French pillar clock...
Marble, Ormolu
$950Sale Price|26% Off
H 20.5 in W 12 in D 3.5 in
Giltwood Cartel Wall Clock Complete, Original Key, Enameled Face, Pendulum
Located in Miami, FL
Giltwood Cartel Wall Clock Complete Original Key, Enameled Face, Pendulum Offered for sale is, a lovely and very decorative cartel wall clock with a heavy gilt finish from Sweden or...
Metal, Brass
$560Sale Price|30% Off
H 26.5 in W 16 in D 5 in
Antique William S. Sperry American Empire Mahogany 8 Day Column Mantel Clock 27"
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 19th century / Circa 1840's weight driven, chiming mantel or shelf clock by William S. Sperry of the Phoenix Manufactory - 192 Pearl Street, New York. Rectangular mahogany case...
Brass, Enamel
Comtoise Morbier Tall Case Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice Comtoise Morbier tall clock in a floral paint decorated Pine case, France - late 19th century. Rings on the hour and two minutes after the hour...
Pine
Sold
H 92.5 in W 20.25 in D 10.5 in
Henry Hahn Reading, Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a cherry tall case clock by Henry Hahn of Reading, PA, active clockmaker from 1790-1820, with broken pediment carved arched bonnet with scroll rosettes, urn finials...
Metal
New Hampshire Federal Mahogany And Tiger Maple Banjo Clock
Located in Essex, MA
With urn finial over a round clock face with painted iron dial and Roman numerals. Hinged glass bezel. Waisted case with finely figured tiger maple flanked by carved mahogany side a...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 34 in W 10.25 in D 4 in
Antique American Simon Willard & Son 8 Day Banjo Clock Patent Timepiece 1825
Located in Portland, OR
Rare antique American Simon Willard & Son Mahogany Patent Timepiece or "Banjo" Clock, Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1825. The case made of Cuban mahogany with figured mahogany panels to ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 97 in W 28 in D 18 in
Bailey Banks & Biddle Mahogany Federal Style Case Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Bailey Banks & Biddle Mahogany Federal Style Case Tall Case Grandfather Clock Dimensions : 97" Tall X 28" Wide X 18" Deep This grandfather cloc...
Mahogany
Sold
H 86.5 in W 17.75 in D 11 in
Rare Old American Stennes Fed, Sty, Inlaid Mahog, Automaton 8day Longcase Clock
By Elmer O. Stennes
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
One of the most highly collected midcentury longcase clocks, this fabulous Federal Style 8-day inlaid honey-colored, fiddle-grain, highly figured mahogany Clock with a wonderfully ha...
Brass
American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas
Located in Essex, MA
By Solomon Gorgas. Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania. Works just cleaned and in good working order. With arched bonnet with pinwheel inlay in the scrolls. Glazed door opening to enameled wo...
Metal, Brass
Antique Mahogany Grandfather Longcase Clock
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Mahogany grandfather longcase clock Additional information: Materials: Mahogany Color: Brown Period: 19th century Styles: Federal Item type: Vintage, antique or pre-...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 9.75 in D 4 in
Mid Century Seth Thomas Brookfield Banjo 8 Day Springwound Eagle Wall Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage 1950s Seth Thomas Brookfield Colonial banjo style 8-day spring wound, pendulum, chiming wall clock with eagle finial. “Fabulous re-creation of the circa 1810 Willard Banjo Clock...
Brass
Antique Federal Style Carved Oak Tall Case Clock by Ithaca, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Federal style tall case clock by Ithaca offers oak case with hood having broken arch top having central eagle with flanking ball & spire finials, column with glass door ov...
Oak
Sold
H 82 in W 18.5 in D 9.75 in
Diminutive Timothy Chandler Federal Cherry Case Tall Clock Concord NH circa 1800
Located in Milford, NH
A fine New Hampshire Federal cherry tall case clock with 8-day weight-driven brass works by Timothy Chandler, active clockmaker in Concord, NH f...
Metal, Brass
American Cherry Rocking Ship Tall Case or Grandfather Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Connecticut Federal cherry tall case clock, ca. 1800, the fretwork bonnet enclosing an eight day English works with rocking ship, the face inscr...
Cherry
Aaron Willard Mahogany Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial 1793
Located in Milford, NH
A fine mahogany tall case clock with wonderful proportions by Aaron Willard (1757-1844), with a reticulated carved crest with three ball and spire finial...
Brass