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Federal 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 Cast-Iron Eagle Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Vintage Cast-Iron Eagle Sculpture, Early 20th Century

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 Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Iron

Corinithian Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Corinithian Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art

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.

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Ionic Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Ionic Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art

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.

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Pair of Federal Style Carved & Gilt Eagle Wall Brackets
Pair of Federal Style Carved & Gilt Eagle Wall Brackets

Pair of Federal Style Carved & Gilt Eagle Wall Brackets

Located in Milford, NH

A finely carved and gilt pair of eagle wall brackets with shaped base and spherule decoration. The pair of eagles are facing each other and date to the 19th century with brackets add...

Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Gilt Bronze Bust of George Washington, Federal Style, 1840
Gilt Bronze Bust of George Washington, Federal Style, 1840

Gilt Bronze Bust of George Washington, Federal Style, 1840

Located in Montreal, QC

Although the first American President has been much portrayed in paint and bronze; I have not been successful in locating another bronze on which this is based. He is dressed as General Washington...

Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antique Federal Carved And Gilt Finished Eagle
Antique Federal Carved And Gilt Finished Eagle

Antique Federal Carved And Gilt Finished Eagle

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A fine Federal Period carved and gilt Eagle with strong carving, classic form and protective stance. The eagle with wings spread and its head turned to the left. The lower beak is a ...

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

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Art Deco Coiled Serpent Sculpture, Cast Brass, Early 20th Century
Art Deco Coiled Serpent Sculpture, Cast Brass, Early 20th Century

Art Deco Coiled Serpent Sculpture, Cast Brass, Early 20th Century

Located in Elkhart, IN

A wonderful Art Deco style cast brass coiled serpent snake circa Early 20th century Measures: 12"W × 2.13"D × 2"H Excellent original vintage co...

Category

Early 20th Century Federal Sculptures

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Brass

Carved Gilt Wooden Eagle Wall Plaque, Mid-Century Modern, USA, 34
Carved Gilt Wooden Eagle Wall Plaque, Mid-Century Modern, USA, 34

Carved Gilt Wooden Eagle Wall Plaque, Mid-Century Modern, USA, 34

Located in Queens, NY

Amercian Federal style (Mid-20th Century) gold carved wooden eagle wall plaque in the style of Bellamy under a flowing God Bless America blue banner

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Sculptures

Materials

Gold

Objet d'Art Resin Sculpture Invitation 1965 Armand Fernandez France
Objet d'Art Resin Sculpture Invitation 1965 Armand Fernandez France

Objet d'Art Resin Sculpture Invitation 1965 Armand Fernandez France

By Arman Fernandez

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Federal Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Louis XVI Gilt and Patinated Bronze Bust of Ajax
Louis XVI Gilt and Patinated Bronze Bust of Ajax

Louis XVI Gilt and Patinated Bronze Bust of Ajax

$10,000

H 16.25 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in

Louis XVI Gilt and Patinated Bronze Bust of Ajax

Located in Kittery Point, ME

After the antique, his helmet decorated with centaurs and panthers. In Homer’s Illiad, he is described as a hero of colossal frame who was trained by the...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

American Gilt Carved Wood and Gesso Perched Eagle, Circa 1830
American Gilt Carved Wood and Gesso Perched Eagle, Circa 1830

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 Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Monumental Patinated Bronze Bust of George Washington, after William Rush
Monumental Patinated Bronze Bust of George Washington, after William Rush

Monumental Patinated Bronze Bust of George Washington, after William Rush

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

A Monumental Patinated Bronze Bust of George Washington, after William Rush This commanding bronze bust of George Washington is modeled after the cele...

Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Teakwood Architectural Temple Pediment
Teakwood Architectural Temple Pediment

Teakwood Architectural Temple Pediment

$3,750Sale Price|25% Off

H 97 in W 134 in D 1.5 in

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 ...

Category

Late 19th Century Thai Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Teak

A Life-Size Italian 19th C. Marble Sculpture Children in a Crib by A. Tantardini
A Life-Size Italian 19th C. Marble Sculpture Children in a Crib by A. Tantardini

A Life-Size Italian 19th C. Marble Sculpture Children in a Crib by A. Tantardini

By Antonio Tantardini 1

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Antonio Tantardini (Italian, 1829-1879) An extraordinary Italian 19th century life-size carved Carrara white marble sculpture of "A Young Child and a baby in a wicker crib...

Category

1860s Italian Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Carrara Marble

19th Century French Sculpture
19th Century French Sculpture

19th Century French Sculpture

$1,450

H 2.6 in W 4.5 in D 3.9 in

19th Century French Sculpture

Located in Atlanta, GA

This exquisite 19th-century French silver sculpture is a finely crafted decorative piece featuring an elegant swan motif. The design centers around a gracefully sculpted swan with in...

Category

19th Century French Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Silver

A Pair of French 19th Century Life-Size Val d'Osne Cast-Iron Sculpture Torcheres
A Pair of French 19th Century Life-Size Val d'Osne Cast-Iron Sculpture Torcheres

A Pair of French 19th Century Life-Size Val d'Osne Cast-Iron Sculpture Torcheres

$148,000Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 127 in W 28 in D 26.75 in

A Pair of French 19th Century Life-Size Val d'Osne Cast-Iron Sculpture Torcheres

By Val D'Osne Foundry

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A superb quality and palatial pair of French 19th century lifesize cast-iron sculptures - torcheres of Native American Indians titled "L’ Indienne" designed by Jules Salmson (French, 1823-1902) and Cast by Le Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne, each standing figure representing a Native American Indian male and a female scantily dressed in their native robes, one arm raised holding a light-torch with an opaline glass globe, both wearing earrings, seashell necklaces and arm-braces, raised on cylindrical cast-iron stand. Signed/cast on each pedestal: “VAL D’OSNE”. (Electrified). Paris, circa 1870-1880. Overall hHeight: 127 inches (322.6 cm) Pedestal height: 39 inches (99.1 cm) Indian man's width: 22 inches (55.9 cm) Indian man's depth: 26 3/4 inches (68 cm) Indian woman's width: 28 inches (71.1 cm) Indian woman's depth: 25 inches (63.5 cm) These fantastic and impressive pair of cast-iron sculptures, most likely representing Hiawatha and Minnehaha, were probably comissioned to Le Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne for export to the America's to decorate governmental buildings and parks which makes these pair a rare find and now available for a private collection. Iron sculptures were preferred over bronze for outdoor park and building decorations for their long lasting resistance to all types of weather conditions. An identical pair of sculptures, also by Val d' Osne, are currently exhibited at the National Garden of Congress in Santiago, Chile. View Pages No. 87, 88, 89. Another identical pair are also currently exhibited at The Musée de la Ville - Indian Museum "O Indio do Museo da Cidade" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Another identical pair decorate the front of the Ópera Teatro Amazonas, Manaús, Brazil. A single figure of the female Indian...

Category

19th Century French Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Previously Available Items
Vintage Hand-Carved Mahogany Eagle with Shield
Vintage Hand-Carved Mahogany Eagle with Shield

Vintage Hand-Carved Mahogany Eagle with Shield

Sold

H 9.5 in W 29.5 in D 3.75 in

Vintage Hand-Carved Mahogany Eagle with Shield

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Presented is a beautiful hand-carved spreadwing eagle plaque. This 20th century wood eagle is carved of mahogany and handsomely polished. With its feather spread out, the eagle clutc...

Category

20th Century American Federal Sculptures

Materials

Mahogany

Eagle Wall Plaque in Gilt Wood by Palladio of Italy
Eagle Wall Plaque in Gilt Wood by Palladio of Italy

Eagle Wall Plaque in Gilt Wood by Palladio of Italy

Located in San Francisco, CA

On offer is a hand-carved wooden wall hanging of an eagle. The symbolism of the eagle with spread wings, clutching the two crossed arrows, is a traditional motif representing strengt...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Federal Sculptures

Materials

Giltwood

Antique George Washington Plaster Bust After Jean Antoine Houdon
Antique George Washington Plaster Bust After Jean Antoine Houdon

Antique George Washington Plaster Bust After Jean Antoine Houdon

By Jean-Antoine Houdon

Located in New York, NY

Fine antique molded plaster bust sculpture of President George Washington after the original model by Jean-Antoine Houdon created in 1785, cast by the widely admired P.P. Caproni of ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Vintage Carved Spreadwing Wooden Eagle
Vintage Carved Spreadwing Wooden Eagle

Vintage Carved Spreadwing Wooden Eagle

Sold

H 10.5 in W 21.25 in D 6.25 in

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 Sculptures

Materials

Felt, Wood

Vintage Brass Spreadwing Eagle, Late 19th Century
Vintage Brass Spreadwing Eagle, Late 19th Century

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Iron

2nd Maryland Infantry 1777 Porcelain Figurine
2nd Maryland Infantry 1777 Porcelain Figurine

2nd Maryland Infantry 1777 Porcelain Figurine

Located in Savannah, GA

2nd Maryland Infantry 1777 porcelain figurine. 3 inches wide by 2 inches deep by 8 ½ inches tall

Category

1770s Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Gillinder & Sons Washington Bust, 1876
Gillinder & Sons Washington Bust, 1876

Gillinder & Sons Washington Bust, 1876

Sold

H 6 in W 3.5 in D 3.25 in

Gillinder & Sons Washington Bust, 1876

By Gillinder & Sons

Located in Savannah, GA

A Gillinder & Sons milk glass portrait bust of George Washington for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. 3 ½ inches wide by 3 ¼ inches deep by 6 inches tall

Category

1870s American Antique Federal Sculptures

Materials

Milk Glass

Vintage Spreadwing Brass Eagle Bookends by Virginia Metalcrafters, 1952
Vintage Spreadwing Brass Eagle Bookends by Virginia Metalcrafters, 1952

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Antique Terra Cotta Federal Eagles 'Pair'
Antique Terra Cotta Federal Eagles 'Pair'

Antique Terra Cotta Federal Eagles 'Pair'

Sold

H 19.5 in W 4.5 in D 15.5 in

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 Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Parcel Gilt Mahogany Federal Wall Mirror with Phoenix, 20th Century
Vintage Parcel Gilt Mahogany Federal Wall Mirror with Phoenix, 20th Century

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 Sculptures

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Federal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, plaster and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal sculptures made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original 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 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 $750.