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Federal Clocks

FEDERAL STYLE

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.

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Style: Federal
Vintage Waterford Crystal Lismore Carriage Clock
Vintage Waterford Crystal Lismore Carriage Clock

Vintage Waterford Crystal Lismore Carriage Clock

By Waterford Crystal

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...

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20th Century Irish Federal Clocks

Materials

Crystal

Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock
Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock

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.

Category

1820s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Metal

Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Case Clock, Jedediah Weiss, Bethlehem
Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Case Clock, Jedediah Weiss, Bethlehem

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...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Cherry, Maple, Satinwood

Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock
Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock

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.

Category

1820s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

American Federal Birch and Birdseye Maple Tall Case Clock, Wingate, ca 1820
American Federal Birch and Birdseye Maple Tall Case Clock, Wingate, ca 1820

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...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Birch, Birdseye Maple, Pine

Mason & Sullivan West German Oak Pillar & Scroll Shelf Mantel Clock 31"
Mason & Sullivan West German Oak Pillar & Scroll Shelf Mantel Clock 31"

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...

Category

20th Century American Federal Clocks

Materials

Glass

American Federal Banjo Wall Clock
American Federal Banjo Wall Clock

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)

Category

18th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Glass

American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820
American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820

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...

Category

1820s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

Early 1900s Carved Walnut Durfee Case Elliot Movement 5 Tube Grandfather Clock
Early 1900s Carved Walnut Durfee Case Elliot Movement 5 Tube Grandfather Clock

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...

Category

Early 1900s American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Elmer O. Stennes Weymouth MA Eglomise Girandole Banjo Clock
Elmer O. Stennes Weymouth MA Eglomise Girandole Banjo Clock

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...

Category

20th Century American Federal Clocks

Materials

Brass

John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock
John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock

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...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

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Tall Case Clock, Bristol, England, circa 1830, Victorian
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Early 19th Century English Antique Federal Clocks

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Rococo Giltwood Clock
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Swedish Case Clock, circa 1820
Swedish Case Clock, circa 1820

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Located in Huntington, NY

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John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock
John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock

John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock

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H 92.5 in W 28 in D 9.5 in

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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...

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Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

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Antique Enameled Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock
Antique Enameled Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock

Antique Enameled Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock

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H 7.88 in W 4.34 in D 3.94 in

Antique Enameled Gilt Bronze Carriage Clock

Located in London, GB

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19th Century French Antique Federal Clocks

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Victorian Mahogany Cased French Striking Mantel Clock
Victorian Mahogany Cased French Striking Mantel Clock

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Victorian Gilded Carriage Clock
Victorian Gilded Carriage Clock

Victorian Gilded Carriage Clock

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H 6.5 in W 4 in D 3.5 in

Victorian Gilded Carriage Clock

Located in Norwich, GB

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20th Century French Federal Clocks

Materials

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French White Marble and Ormolu Pillar Mantel Clock

French White Marble and Ormolu Pillar Mantel Clock

$4,622

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French White Marble and Ormolu Pillar Mantel Clock

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Regency Mahogany Tall Case Clock By W. Ashford, London
Regency Mahogany Tall Case Clock By W. Ashford, London

Regency Mahogany Tall Case Clock By W. Ashford, London

Located in Essex, MA

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1810s English Antique Federal Clocks

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Antique 8 Day Tall Case Grandfather Clock Automaton Andrew Rich Bridgewater 1820
Antique 8 Day Tall Case Grandfather Clock Automaton Andrew Rich Bridgewater 1820

Antique 8 Day Tall Case Grandfather Clock Automaton Andrew Rich Bridgewater 1820

Located in Portland, OR

A fine antique Georgian Regency period tall case 8 day inlaid mahogany grandfather clock with a rocking figure of Old Father Time, by Andrew Rich of Bridgwater Somerset, circa 1820. The clock is made of the finest figured flame mahogany & inlaid with satinwood stringing, the clock hood with twin arched 'swan's neck' pediment with brass rosettes & a central brass urn shaped finial. The hood door is flanked by a pair of turned columns with gilt brass capitals & bases, the door enclosing a painted dial with gilding & floral spandrel panels. The clock having an unsul feature of a winged Old Father Time, holding his scythe he rocks backwards & forwards in unison with the pendulum. The dial with black Roman numerals and having a seconds dial and also a calendar dial, the clock is signed to the center "Rich Bridgwater" (a prosperous historic coastal town & port in the Somerset area of the Southwest of England). The trunk of the case with carved 'ropetwist' pilasters, the door & base inlaid with satinwood stringing, the clock is raised on bracket feet. The clock has an eight day mechanism & strikes the hours on a mellow sounding bell, the clock chime can be silenced by not winding the chime arbor, original pendulum & weights, winding key is present. The clock is in excellent antique condition & has just been professionally cleaned and overhauled by a professional clocksmith, it keeps very good time, this elegant antique tall case clock...

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1820s English Antique Federal Clocks

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Mahogany, Satinwood

Previously Available Items
Henry Hahn Reading, Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial
Henry Hahn Reading, Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial

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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...

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Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

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New Hampshire Federal Mahogany And Tiger Maple Banjo Clock
New Hampshire Federal Mahogany And Tiger Maple Banjo Clock

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...

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1820s American Antique Federal Clocks

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Antique American Simon Willard & Son 8 Day Banjo Clock Patent Timepiece 1825
Antique American Simon Willard & Son 8 Day Banjo Clock Patent Timepiece 1825

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 ...

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1820s American Antique Federal Clocks

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Mahogany

Rare Old American Stennes Fed, Sty, Inlaid Mahog, Automaton 8day Longcase Clock
Rare Old American Stennes Fed, Sty, Inlaid Mahog, Automaton 8day Longcase Clock

Rare Old American Stennes Fed, Sty, Inlaid Mahog, Automaton 8day Longcase Clock

By Elmer O. Stennes

Located in CHARLESTON, SC

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Mid-20th Century American Federal Clocks

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American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas
American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas

American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas

Sold

H 96 in W 19.75 in D 10.63 in

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...

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Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Clocks

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Antique Mahogany Grandfather Longcase Clock
Antique Mahogany Grandfather Longcase Clock

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-...

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19th Century Antique Federal Clocks

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Antique Federal Style Carved Oak Tall Case Clock by Ithaca, 20th C
Antique Federal Style Carved Oak Tall Case Clock by Ithaca, 20th C

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...

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20th Century American Federal Clocks

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Federal clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal clocks made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original clocks, popular names associated with this style include Eli Terry & Sons, Elmer O. Stennes, Seth Thomas Clock Company, and Silas Hoadley. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $470 and tops out at $18,500 while the average work can sell for $6,800.