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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.

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Style: Federal
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
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

American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas
American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas

American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas

2 Antique Chelsea Porcelain Staffordshire Miniature Confetti Spaniel Dog Anchor
By Chelsea Porcelain
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

2 Antique Chelsea Porcelain Staffordshire Miniature Confetti Spaniel Dog Anchor
2 Antique Chelsea Porcelain Staffordshire Miniature Confetti Spaniel Dog Anchor

2 Antique Chelsea Porcelain Staffordshire Miniature Confetti Spaniel Dog Anchor

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

19th Century Mortar & Pestle with Original Surface
19th Century Mortar & Pestle with Original Surface

19th Century Mortar & Pestle with Original Surface

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

Pair American Mahogany Serpentine Inlaid Knife Boxes with Cutlery Interiors
Pair American Mahogany Serpentine Inlaid Knife Boxes with Cutlery Interiors

Pair American Mahogany Serpentine Inlaid Knife Boxes with Cutlery Interiors

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1780s American Antique Federal Decorative Objects

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American Walnut Satinwood Inlaid Valuables Box with Original Feet, Circa 1780
American Walnut Satinwood Inlaid Valuables Box with Original Feet, Circa 1780

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English Mahogany Tall Case Clock. Circa 1870
English Mahogany Tall Case Clock. Circa 1870

English Mahogany Tall Case Clock. Circa 1870

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Porcelain Dog Figurine, Rosenthal Porcelain by F. Diller, 1913-1927
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Porcelain Dog Figurine, Rosenthal Porcelain by Fritz Diller, 1913-1927 Porcelain dog figurine made by Rosenthal Porcelain, Selb Bavaria Numbered with # 2...
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Early 20th Century Federal Decorative Objects

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Porcelain Dog Figurine, Rosenthal Porcelain by F. Diller, 1913-1927
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H 7.49 in W 13 in D 3.55 in
American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820
By Silas Hoadley
Located in Hollywood, SC
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American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820
American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820

American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820

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18th-19th Century, French Limestone Mortar
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and rare limestone mortar, France, circa 1750-1850. Great eyecatcher. Weathered and but in a good condition.
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18th Century French Antique Federal Decorative Objects

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Limestone

18th-19th Century, French Limestone Mortar
18th-19th Century, French Limestone Mortar

18th-19th Century, French Limestone Mortar

H 5.12 in W 12.01 in D 8.67 in
French Painted Tall Case Morbier Clock
Located in Woodbury, CT
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Chelsea Porcelain Oval Dish with Red Anchor C-1752-56 with Fruits and Insects
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Chelsea Porcelain Oval Dish with Red Anchor C-1752-56 with Fruits and Insects
Chelsea Porcelain Oval Dish with Red Anchor C-1752-56 with Fruits and Insects

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Comtoise Morbier Tall Case Clock

Comtoise Morbier Tall Case Clock

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Located in Los Angeles, CA
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Wood

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Large 19th Century French Marble Mortar
Large 19th Century French Marble Mortar

Large 19th Century French Marble Mortar

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Located in Wells, ME
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American Federal Miniature Linen Press with Parquetry Inlaid Drawers and Doors
American Federal Miniature Linen Press with Parquetry Inlaid Drawers and Doors

American Federal Miniature Linen Press with Parquetry Inlaid Drawers and Doors

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Aaron Willard Mahogany Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial 1793
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Brass

Aaron Willard Mahogany Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial 1793
Aaron Willard Mahogany Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial 1793

Aaron Willard Mahogany Tall Case Clock with Moon Phase Dial 1793

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Antique Pennsylvania Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, 18th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
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18th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects

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Antique Pennsylvania Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, 18th Century
Antique Pennsylvania Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, 18th Century

Antique Pennsylvania Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, 18th Century

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Pair of English Federal Brass Bell Shaped Doorstops, Circa 1790
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of English federal brass bell shaped doorstops with matching carrying handles, bulbous columns and lead inserts. All original, Late 18th century.
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1790s English Antique Federal Decorative Objects

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Brass, Lead

Pair of English Federal Brass Bell Shaped Doorstops, Circa 1790
Pair of English Federal Brass Bell Shaped Doorstops, Circa 1790

Pair of English Federal Brass Bell Shaped Doorstops, Circa 1790

H 15.5 in W 4.75 in L 15.5 in
Antique New England Cherry Hanging Pipe Box, circa 1800
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Antique New England cherry pipe box. This fabulous antique hanging pipe box was made in the Hudson River Valley around the turn of the 18th century. The piece is made of cherry and comes complete with its original dovetailed drawer at the base. Pipe boxes were commonly found in colonial taverns and inns and were made to accommodate the long, thin clay pipes...
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Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects

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Wood

Antique New England Cherry Hanging Pipe Box, circa 1800
Antique New England Cherry Hanging Pipe Box, circa 1800

Antique New England Cherry Hanging Pipe Box, circa 1800

H 18.5 in W 5.75 in D 4 in
Late 18th C American Grandfather Clock by John Scudder, Westfield, NJ
Located in Charleston, SC
This magnificent American grandfather clock was made in New Jersey, circa 1790 and retains its original paper label that bears the maker's name, John Scudder. The grandfather clock features federal style inlay with a top broken cornice with pinwheel disks framed with turned wood and unique three finials. The original inside dial has four faces; two different moons, a ship, and a windmill. The dial is protected by a replaced mahogany dial door and flanked by two applied columns. The body of the clock features beautiful federal inlay...
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Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Late 18th C American Grandfather Clock by John Scudder, Westfield, NJ
Late 18th C American Grandfather Clock by John Scudder, Westfield, NJ

Late 18th C American Grandfather Clock by John Scudder, Westfield, NJ

H 93 in W 19 in D 9.5 in
18th Century Cast Iron Federalist Masonry Building Stars Andirons
Located in Hyattsville, MD
USA, Marked 1739. Rare Antique 18th Century Masonry Star Structural Building Ties as Andirons. Large One Inch Federalist Numerals, "1739" in Radial Conf...
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18th Century and Earlier American Antique Federal Decorative Objects

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Iron

18th Century Cast Iron Federalist Masonry Building Stars Andirons
18th Century Cast Iron Federalist Masonry Building Stars Andirons

18th Century Cast Iron Federalist Masonry Building Stars Andirons

H 12.5 in W 13 in D 21 in

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.

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