Federal Decorative Objects
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.
32
to
7
30
32
32
32
23,413
14,549
8,090
5,099
3,797
2,939
2,082
1,579
1,251
1,248
1,150
1,061
926
882
803
623
617
579
4
19
9
4
1
3
1
Height
to
Width
to
24
13
9
8
7
25
24
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Federal
Aaron Willard Boston Federal Shelf Clock Arched & Inlaid Pediment/ Mahogany Case
Located in Savannah, GA
This magnificent shelf clock has an arched and inlaid pediment over a painted dial that is signed "Aaron Willard, Boston," fancifully painted within cartouche with laurel wreath and ...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Tin
William Cummens Federal Mahogany Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial circa 1820
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Federal mahogany tall case clock with a delicate fretwork crest, adorned with three ball and spire brass finials, surmounting an arched form glass door, opening to a h...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Brass
Aaron Willard Boston Mahogany Shelf Clock w/ Eglomisé Painting & Eagle Finial
Located in Savannah, GA
Popularized at the turn of the 19th century in coastal Massachusetts, these handsome shelf clocks are subsequently referred to as Massachusetts shelf clocks. This decorated example ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Dimensions : 104" Tall X 26" Wide X 15.5" Deep
This gorgeous grandfather clock was made in the late 19th ...
Category
1890s American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Antique Colonial Mfg Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Colonial Mfg. Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock. Item features a working lock and key, includes all parts pictured. Very ...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820
By Silas Hoadley
Located in Hollywood, 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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
2 Antique Chelsea Porcelain Staffordshire Miniature Confetti Spaniel Dog Anchor
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of antique Chelsea Porcelain miniature 18th century Staffordshire figurines in the shape of brown spotted King Charles Spaniels or poodles....
Category
18th Century Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
American Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Tall Clock by Rufus Cole
Located in Essex, MA
A Rare and Complete American Federal Tall Case Clock. Riley Whiting Wooden Works, original. A Rufus Cole Grain-Painted and Stenciled Case. S...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique American Hardwood Candlesticks, Original Bobeches, circa 1900
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique American pair of hardwood candlesticks - lathe turned - original metal bobeches - original wool felt liners to the bases - unsigned - United States - circa 1900.
Good antiq...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
2 Global Views Colonial Williamsburg Beaufort Yellow Ginger Jars Urns Vase
By Global Views
Located in Dayton, OH
Global Views Colonial Williamsburg Ginger Jars, in Yellow. Made from ceramic inspired by the fluted urn-shaped finials that crown a green japanned bedstead in the Governor’s Palace i...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Antique 1780 Mottahedeh G Mills Tunbridge Oval Brass Tobacco Snuff Box
By Mottahedeh
Located in Dayton, OH
"Antique 1780 G. Mills Tunbridge oval brass snuff / tinder box.
Province
Estate of J. Frederic Gagel, owner of multiple Thoroughbred race horses...
Category
20th Century Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
19th Century Mortar & Pestle with Original Surface
Located in New York, NY
American, late 18th century/early 19th century wooden mortar and pestle. The urn shaped mortar with rich patina has a wonderful ...
Category
1790s Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Maple, Wood
Antique Seth Thomas Rosewood Office Calendar No 2 No 3 Clock Case Federal
Located in Dayton, OH
An exception and rare federal style case for a Seth Thomas calendar clock model No 2 or No 3. Manufactured in the last quarter of the 19th c...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Rosewood
Antique Federal Figural Eagle Giltwood Wall Mirror circa 1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Federal wall mirror offers frame with figural giltwood eagle at crest and having flanking inverted bellflower garland, c1840
Measures - 27''H x 19.5''W x 2.5''D.
Catalog...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century American Federal 19x22 Picture Frame
Located in Hallowell, US
12.5 x 22.5 19th century American Federal picture frame circa 1825
Rabbet dimensions: 12.5" x 22.5"
Frame profile: 3.5"
Depth: 3...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair American Mahogany Serpentine Inlaid Knife Boxes with Cutlery Interiors
Located in Charleston, SC
Wonderful pair of cutlery boxes with chevron inlay and sloped lid with an oval Patera surrounding a sea shell. These knife boxes have a Family History of being from Baltimore.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Mahogany
Gilt Bronze Bust of George Washington
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Early 1900s Carved Walnut Durfee Case Elliot Movement 5 Tube Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular clock with what I believe is a solid carved walnut Durfee case and and has an Elliot of London movement. The case has some signs of wear and is in it's original...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Good Federal Domed Top Box with Shell and Banded Inlay
Located in San Francisco, CA
with domed lid centering an inlaid shell medallion; all resting on a rectangular body raised on brass ball and claw feet; later velvet-lined interior.
Category
Early 19th Century North American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
1840s American Octagonal J Boardman New York Mineral Waters Soda Bottle New York
By John Boardman
Located in Hyattsville, MD
J. Boardman & Company New York Mineral Waters, this bottle is never sold. Soda water bottle, America, 1845-1860. Octagonal, bright, medium sapphire b...
Category
1840s American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Outstanding Large Oak Carved Eagle Grasping Shield & Three Arrows
Located in Stamford, CT
Outstanding large oak carved eagle grasping shield with three arrows in his talons; most probably by a Philadelphia carver. Found in East Boothbay, Maine at collector's home. Arrows ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Large American Federal Style Eagle Wood Carved Two-Light Sconce
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This wood carved and gold gilded antique sconce features a majestic eagle with spread wings beneath a tied bow. The candle arms are of patinated scrolled brass and very finely detail...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock, Eli Terry, Circa 1825
Located in Hollywood, 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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
American Federal Gilt Eagle Figure
Located in New York, NY
American Federal (19th Cent) life size gilt carved eagle figure standing on serpent and round painted base
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Giltwood
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 ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Iron
Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Document Box 19th Century American
Located in Hudson, NY
A spectacular and fine, dovetailed poplar, rosewood grain painted and ebonized document box. The gold stenciling is of a very fine quality. Retains the original fire gilded steel bai...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold, Steel
American Federal Style Banjo Clock
Located in Asheville, NC
Gilded wood case Banjo clock with decorative brass cutwork and back painted glass, enameled clock face with Roman numerals, brass pendulum and winder. Surm...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Decorative Objects
Materials
Giltwood
Federal decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Federal decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Chelsea Porcelain, Eli Terry & Sons, Elmer O. Stennes, and Global Views. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $67,500 while the average work can sell for $1,600.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
19th Century Tall Clock
Clocks With Birds
Antique Childrens Plates
Pair Mounted Pedestal
Turquoise 1940
Sea Accessories
Green Mantel
Antique Writing Desk Box
Mexican Spanish Colonial Furniture
Gilt Red Marble
Stamped Desk French
Japanese Ceramics Master
Antique Batteries
Antique Battery
Large Antique Saw
Victorian Gentleman
Spanish Colonial Mexican
Longcase Pendulum Antique Clocks