Federal Animal Sculptures
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 Carved Spreadwing Wooden Eagle
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is an original American eagle, hand-carved during the mid 20th century. The eagle is carved with his head angled to the side, both wings fully outstretched, talons gripping a ro...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Felt, Wood
Antique Terra Cotta Federal Eagles 'Pair'
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Early antique federal eagles [pair] beautiful glaze. ca 1900, came from an antique collectors personal collection, you can see a repair on one of the eag...
Category
Early 20th Century French Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
American Federal Gilt Eagle Figure
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal (19th Cent) life size gilt carved eagle figure standing on serpent and round painted base
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Giltwood
Pair Of Carved And Gilded Eagles Italian Animalier Sculptures Mid-19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Pair Of Eagles In Carved And Gilded Wood from the mid-1800s, this pair of animalier carvings of birds of prey in carved and gilded wood represents a fascinating example of 19th-cent...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Gold Leaf
Vintage Cast-Iron Eagle Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a cast-iron figural eagle doorstop, circa early 20th century. The eagle is depicted with wings spread wide, perched and mounted to a square marble base. The eagle retains traces of its original gilt surface and is embossed with “F.O.E.” at its midsection, possibly referring to the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
The eagle is both the national bird and the national animal of the United States. The eagle motif has been widely used throughout American history, most notably as part of our Great Seal. The founders of the United States were fond of comparing their new republic with the Roman Republic, in which eagle imagery, usually the golden eagle, was prominent. On June 20, 1782, the Continental Congress adopted the design for the Great Seal of the United States...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Iron
Related Items
Pair of Terra Cotta Decorative Panels
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of terra cotta decorative panels. Probably from a fireplace.
Category
1890s French Antique Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Cast Iron Boston Terrier Doorstop
Located in Middleburg, VA
Early 20th Century Cast Iron Boston Terrier Doorstop.
An iconic example of early 20th-century American cast iron craftsmanship, this Boston Terrier doorstop captures the alert post...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Iron
Hand Carved Eagle By
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved eagle in fine condition and rare to find by Thomas Rhodes carver from Arizona.The shape & form is the best.
Category
1940s American Vintage Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Daniel Chassin, Eagle, sculpture in gilt brass, 1995
By Daniel Chassin
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Polished soldered gilt brass sculpture figuring an eagle, which takes flight, with wings slightly opened. It stands on a gilt brass raw rock.
Signed by Daniel CHASSIN and dated 1995....
Category
1990s French Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Vintage Patinated Bronze Sculpture 'American Bald Eagle Upon Landing'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage patinated bronze sculpture 'American Bald Eagle Upon Landing'
USA, Circa 1960s
Of large scale, realistically cast and modeled of a land...
Category
20th Century American Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Faience Polar Bear Sculpture, ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Faience Polar Bear Sculpture, ca. 1930s
Item e7268
Antique faience statue depicting a polar bear, decorated with polish colors and shiny glacé....
Category
Mid-20th Century German Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Faience
Antique cast bronze high relief eagle lectern - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
An eagle lectern is a lectern in the shape of an eagle on whose outstretched wings the Bible or other texts rest.[1] They are common in Christian churches and may be in stone, wood o...
Category
20th Century Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Ganymede And The Eagle Sculpture, 20th century
Located in Southall, GB
This 20th-century sculpture of Ganymede and the Eagle captures the iconic mythological scene with striking detail and artistry. Depicting the young Ganymede being carried away by Zeu...
Category
20th Century English Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Early 20th Century American Eagle with Spread Wings
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large Wall decoration representing a large eagle with wide open wings. Width 50 inches.
This impressive wall decoration shows an eagle with majestic, wide-spread wings, beautifully ...
Category
20th Century American Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
American Gilt Carved Wood and Gesso Perched Eagle, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt carved wood and gesso Eagle with extended wings perched on decorative acanthus floral motif, Early 19th century.
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Gold Leaf
Ancient Pair of Carved Wooden Sculptures of Horses, 19th Century
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Ancient pair of carved hardwood sculptures, depicting a pair of trotting horses, sculpted in the 19th century.
They measure about W 7 x H 30 x T 30 cm.
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Eagle Sculpture Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
This unusual antique mirror was crafted in the Alps region of France, circa 1880. The whimsical mirror features a large eagle sculpture with win...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Mercury Glass, Oak
Previously Available Items
Vintage Brass Spreadwing Eagle, Late 19th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a spread wing eagle, dating to the late 19th century. This brass eagle is rendered with a regal expression and well rendered plumage that shows intricate detail, including individual feathers on the front and back. The eagle’s talons grip a round ball stand, also in brass, that is mounted on a heavy iron rectangular base.
The eagle is both the national bird and the national animal of the United States. The eagle motif has been widely used throughout American history, most notably as part of our Great Seal. The founders of the United States were fond of comparing their new republic with the Roman Republic, in which eagle imagery, usually the golden eagle, was prominent. On June 20, 1782, the Continental Congress adopted the design for the Great Seal of the United States...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Iron
Vintage Spreadwing Brass Eagle Bookends by Virginia Metalcrafters, 1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a beautiful pair of spread-wing eagle bookends by Virginia Metalcrafters, stamped 1952. The eagle is shown with its wings fully spread and a laurel branch and bundle of arrows clutched in its left talon. The eagle clutches a Union shield across its breast. The Union shield has a chief with three stars and six stripes completing the design.
The eagle motif in décor and folk art has been widely used throughout our nation's history, most notably as part of our Great Seal. The founders of the United States were fond of comparing their new republic with the Roman Republic, in which eagle imagery, usually the golden eagle, was prominent. On June 20, 1782, the Continental Congress adopted the design for the Great Seal of the United States depicting a bald eagle grasping 13 arrows and an olive branch with its talons.
When Charles Thomson put together the final design for the Great Seal, he placed a bundle of arrows in the eagle's left (sinister) talon. The official description specifies the bald eagle holding "in his sinister a bundle of thirteen arrows." The thirteen arrows are tightly aligned – a symbol of "strength in unity" that's found in the traditional cultures everywhere, from the Romans to the Iroquois— in this case a nod to the unity of the original 13 colonies.
William J. Loth founded Virginia Metalcrafters in 1890, under the name Waynesboro Stove Company. The company, which made ornately cast cook...
Category
1950s American Vintage Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Antique Federalist Styled Carved & Gilt Finished Eagle Sculptural Table Lamp
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique well executed carved eagle table lamp is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from the United States and date to approximately 192...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Gesso, Softwood
H 33 in W 14.5 in D 14.5 in
19th Century American Gilt Eagle Weather Vane Perched on Belted Ball and Arrow
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
With wings spread high and richly molded detail this gilt on copper eagle weathervane, dating to the late 19th century, is mounted on a belted...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Copper
H 23.5 in W 27.5 in D 29.5 in
Vintage Parcel Gilt Mahogany Federal Wall Mirror with Phoenix, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage Federal style wall mirror offers mahogany frame having crest with central gilt phoenix flanked by gilt foliate and scroll broken arch surmounting mirror with gilt foliate f...
Category
20th Century American Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
H 55.75 in W 27 in D 4.25 in
Antique Federal Chippendale Figural Mahogany & Gilt Phoenix Wall Mirror
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Federal Chippendale wall mirror features cutout scroll form mahogany frame with pierced crest having central spread-eagle gilt phoenix and mirr...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Animal Sculptures
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
H 41.5 in W 21.75 in D 2.13 in
Federal animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Federal animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage animal sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, giltwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal animal sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original animal sculptures, popular names associated with this style include and Chelsea Porcelain. 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 animal sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $67,500 while the average work can sell for $5,485.