Federal Table Clocks and Desk 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.

Style: Federal

American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock, Eli Terry, Circa 1825

$6,800

American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock, Eli Terry, Circa 1825

By Eli Terry & Sons

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...

Category

1820s American Antique Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

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

$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...

Category

20th Century American Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Glass

American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock by Eli Terry, Circa 1820

$9,500

H 31 in W 17.25 in D 4.5 in

American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock by Eli Terry, Circa 1820

By Eli Terry & Sons

Located in Charleston, SC

American mahogany pillar and scroll mantel clock with carved scrolled pediment, brass finials, original works, reverse painted glass of Mt. Vernon, a...

Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

19th Century German Meissen Porcelain Mantel Clock, Hand-Painted

$7,500

H 16 in W 10 in D 7 in

19th Century German Meissen Porcelain Mantel Clock, Hand-Painted

Located in Queens, NY

German Meissen (19th Century) porcelain group of men and women with floral and bronze branches around mantel clock (not working)

Category

19th Century German Antique Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Victorian Mahogany Cased French Striking Mantel Clock

$2,702

H 10 in W 8.25 in D 5 in

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...

Category

1870s French Antique Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

French White Marble and Ormolu Pillar Mantel Clock

$4,712

H 14.75 in W 7.25 in D 3.5 in

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...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Arts & Crafts Oak Cased Mantel Clock with Copper Dial

$3,465

H 15.5 in W 9.5 in D 6.75 in

Arts & Crafts Oak Cased Mantel Clock with Copper Dial

Located in Norwich, GB

Arts & Crafts oak cased mantel clock. Two columns with brass capitals support either side of the dial with brass inlay decoration to the front panel. Copper dial...

Category

1880s German Antique Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Copper

American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock by Eli Terry, Circa 1820

$9,800

H 31 in W 17.25 in D 4.5 in

American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock by Eli Terry, Circa 1820

By Eli Terry & Sons

Located in Charleston, SC

American mahogany pillar and scroll mantel clock with carved scrolled pediment, brass finials, original works, signed reverse painted glass, and term...

Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Kundo Brass Electromagnetic Mantel Clock 1950s Germany

$593

H 8.27 in W 7.88 in D 4.73 in

Kundo Brass Electromagnetic Mantel Clock 1950s Germany

By Kieninger & Obergfell

Located in Den Haag, NL

A Kundo brass electromagnetic skeleton mantel clock. The clock is a Kleninger-Obergfell electronic, electromagnetic carriage clock with a brass ...

Category

1950s German Vintage Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Mantel Clock

$700

H 7.88 in W 14.18 in D 5.12 in

Art Deco Mantel Clock

By Kienzle Clocks

Located in Vienna, AT

Original condition, perfect working Softwood covered with nutveneer attributed to Kienze

Category

1920s Austrian Vintage Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Nutwood, Softwood

Small Mahogany Mantel Clock by Webster, London

$3,881

H 11 in W 8.5 in D 5.75 in

Small Mahogany Mantel Clock by Webster, London

By Richard Webster

Located in Norwich, GB

Small mahogany mantel clock by Webster, London Break arch case with applied carved decoration resting on a shaped stepped plinth and standing on four brass ball feet. Brass bezel opening to the silvered dial with Roman numerals, original ‘blued’ steel hands signed Webster, Queen Victoria Street, London. The hinged back door opening to the eight day movement with platform escapement striking the hours and halves on a coiled gong. The backplate of the clock also signed Webster. C.1880 The Webster family clockmaking business was founded by William Webster and passed from father to son for almost 200 years. William Webster was apprenticed to John Barnet in 1701 and then transferred to Thomas Tompion...

Category

1880s English Antique Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Seth Thomas School Pillar & Scroll Mantle Clock, Reverse Painted Panel

$760Sale Price|20% Off

H 30.75 in W 16.75 in D 4.25 in

Vintage Seth Thomas School Pillar & Scroll Mantle Clock, Reverse Painted Panel

Located in Big Flats, NY

A vintage Seth Thomas pillar and scroll mantle clock, produced in the mid-20th century. This handsome timepiece is crafted from mahogany and faithfully reproduces the iconic American...

Category

Mid-20th Century Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Mantel Clock

$1,102

H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in

Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Mantel Clock

Located in Ipswich, GB

Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Mantel Clock with string inlay around the edge having a round enamelled Arabic dial and French movement. All clocks get serviced by our horologist ...

Category

Early 20th Century Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Early 19th C. American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany with Eglomise Landscape

$1,885

H 31.5 in W 17.5 in D 4.5 in

Early 19th C. American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany with Eglomise Landscape

By Eli Terry & Sons

Located in Atlanta, GA

Early 19th Century American Pillar & Scroll Clock in Mahogany with Eglomise Painted Landscape Scene, Eli Terry

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

Previously Available Items

Vintage Waterford Crystal Lismore Carriage Clock

Sold

H 7.07 in W 5 in D 1.8 in

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...

Category

20th Century Irish Federal Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Crystal

Federal table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage table clocks and desk clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with brass, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal table clocks and desk 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 table clocks and desk clocks, popular names associated with this style include and Eli Terry & Sons. 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 table clocks and desk clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $6,800 and tops out at $6,800 while the average work can sell for $6,800.