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.
$750Sale Price|21% Off
Ionic Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A plaster study of an ionic column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.
Plaster
$750Sale Price|21% Off
Corinithian Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A plaster study of a corinthian column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.
Plaster
French Cast Iron Figural Flatback Rust Patina Garden Panel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A cast iron flatback panel originally from a balcony rail in France. Dating to the mid-late 19th century, these decorative objects were used as building or garden elements. Heavy, weighing about 25 pounds, and aged with a beautiful patina, the panel shows a robed figure within an ornate scrolled frame. Imagine it as a piece of outdoor sculpture, used as a fireback, turned into a table base, or framed in a garden gate. Measures: 26.5 inches H x 15.5 inches W x 1.25 inches deep. In very good antique condition with the desired rusted patina.
Iron
Objet d'Art Resin Sculpture Invitation 1965 Armand Fernandez France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1928 - 2005 Original artwork. Armand was an artist who used found objects as his medium and encased them in resin form. This rare scale of his work appears to be a token example for an exhibition given out to patrons for a show. No two are alike. It's stamped within "Arman Galerie Lawrence 11 Mai 1965 De 5 A 8". Great jewel of an art object for collections of modern art. The size is 1 1/8"h x 1 7/8" x 2"... From the estate of the late Naomi Caryl...
Steel
Griffin Plaque
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Rescued from a building in Detroit MI, this turn of the century plaque provides a grand embellishment in a manner that can’t be replicated. A truly ...
Stone
$995 / set
H 8.5 in W 6.25 in D 3.75 in
Set of 4 Salvaged Antique Ornately Cast Iron Claw Tub Feet with Owl Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of four antique cast iron claw tub feet are unsigned, but presumed to have been made in the United States in approximately 1880 in the period Vi...
Iron
Teakwood Architectural Temple Pediment
Located in Chicago, IL
This giant architectural element once graced the pediment of a Northern Thai temple. It is from Chiang, Mai, Thailand and entirely made from Teakwood, which is naturally resistant ...
Teak
European Studio Hand-Cast Plaster Shell Objet d'Art
Located in PRAHA 7, CZ
"Le Coquille" in Hand-Cast Ceramic Plaster Inspired by the simple elegance of marine life, each piece is individually cast in high-grade ceramic plaster and hand-refined by master ...
Plaster
$525
H 25 in W 8.5 in D 8.25 in
Neoclassical Plaster Architectural Column Sculpture, Grand Tour Style Decorative
By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1
Located in San Diego, CA
A sculptural neoclassical decorative object featuring three fluted columns with ornate Corinthian-style capitals supporting a fragmentary architectural form, executed in plaster with...
Plaster
$1,200Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 22 in W 32 in D 5 in
Pari Antique Hong Bird Roof Carvings from Thailand
Located in Atlanta, GA
This near pair of wood carving presented on stand was collected from Northern Thailand, late 19th or early 20th century. Such ornaments were used originally to decorate the roof of the transitional buildings in Southeast Asia. They were carved in the lovely Silhouette of Hong bird...
Metal
$1,340Sale Price|44% Off
H 20 in W 15 in D 9 in
Art Nouveau Bust Sculpture, Hand-Carved White Marble, Italian, 1890
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
Hand curved Art Nouveau white marble bust of a young woman. Her elaborate hat framing a beautiful face. The style of clothing of the late 19th century Art Nouveau period. The bust rest on a round marble pedestal...
Alabaster
Rock Crystal Wash Basin by ARTISS
Located in Geneve, CH
Rock crystal wash basin by ARTISS Dimensions: D 41.5 x H 1.65 cm Materials: Rock crystal ARTIS is named from artist, whose two -S" stands for natural gem and natural mother shell...
Rock Crystal
Objet d'Art Modern Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original artwork. Cast aluminum on ebony marble base. Original condition, nice patina, minor wear on the base. Signed under the form. Presents well for collections and decor...
Marble, Aluminum
Large Antique, Industrial Factory Wooden Foundry Form, Wheel, Cog, Gear
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large antique, Industrial factory wooden foundry form mold, wheel, cog, gear, very unusual and rare size measuring 52" in diameter, retains original facto...
Wood