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Federal Pottery

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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
American-Market "Peace, Plenty and Independence" Liverpool Creamware Jug
American-Market "Peace, Plenty and Independence" Liverpool Creamware Jug

American-Market "Peace, Plenty and Independence" Liverpool Creamware Jug

Located in Downingtown, PA

"Peace, Plenty and Independence" - An Exceptional American Market Creamware Jug, Circa 1800 A profound piece of early American history and decorative art, this large Liverpool Creamware jug was specifically produced for the burgeoning United States market around 1800. This spectacular jug perfectly encapsulates the patriotic zeal and domestic aspirations of the post-Revolutionary era. Its historical...

Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Creamware, Pottery

"Apotheosis" of George Washington Creamware Jug- Large Size
"Apotheosis" of George Washington Creamware Jug- Large Size

"Apotheosis" of George Washington Creamware Jug- Large Size

Located in Downingtown, PA

Ascending to Glory: A Monumental Liverpool Creamware Jug Celebrating Washington's Apotheosis Historical Context: From Man to Myth George Washington's...

Category

Early 1800s English Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Creamware, Pottery

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H 5.52 in W 7.09 in D 2.96 in

Obadiah Sherratt Staffordshire Bull-Baiting Pottery Group

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Pair of Diminutive Red Staffordshire Spaniels, circa 1860
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Pair of Diminutive Red Staffordshire Spaniels, circa 1860

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Pair of diminutive red Staffordshire Spaniels, circa 1860, Each one exceptionally painted with expressive faces.

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Early Wedgwood Egyptian Revival Neoclassical Rosso Antico Coffee Pot
Early Wedgwood Egyptian Revival Neoclassical Rosso Antico Coffee Pot

Early Wedgwood Egyptian Revival Neoclassical Rosso Antico Coffee Pot

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Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

A Wedgwood rosso antico coffee pot made ca. 1810. The pot's red body is accentuated by black basalt details in the Egyptian Revival style. Developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760s, rosso antico famously exhibits the Egyptian Revival style that became popular in the early 19th century during Napoleon...

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Early 19th Century British Antique Federal Pottery

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Ceramic Glazed ‘Mobach Utrecht’ Jug, Signed
Ceramic Glazed ‘Mobach Utrecht’ Jug, Signed

Ceramic Glazed ‘Mobach Utrecht’ Jug, Signed

$1,137

H 7.88 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in

Ceramic Glazed ‘Mobach Utrecht’ Jug, Signed

By Mobach

Located in Voorburg, NL

Very sophisticated ceramic jug designed and made by Klaas Mobach for ‘Mobach Utrecht’ in the 1940s with black and blue reduced fired glaze. Execution Mo...

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Mid-20th Century Dutch Federal Pottery

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Wedgwood Crimson Jasperware Pitcher
Wedgwood Crimson Jasperware Pitcher

Wedgwood Crimson Jasperware Pitcher

$3,850

H 7.25 in W 5.38 in D 5.38 in

Wedgwood Crimson Jasperware Pitcher

By Wedgwood

Located in New Orleans, LA

This striking Wedgwood crimson dip bas-relief covered jug features an applied white jasper neoclassical decoration of grapevines bordering the rim. De...

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20th Century English Federal Pottery

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Pair of Diminutive Antique Staffordshire Black & White Seated Spaniels, C. 1860s
Pair of Diminutive Antique Staffordshire Black & White Seated Spaniels, C. 1860s

Pair of Diminutive Antique Staffordshire Black & White Seated Spaniels, C. 1860s

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Pair of Diminutive Antique Staffordshire Black & White Seated Spaniels, C. 1860s

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Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Pair of Diminutive Antique Staffordshire black & white seated Spaniels, C. 1860s England, Circa 1860s A good pair of antique black and white Staffordshire...

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Mid-19th Century English Antique Federal Pottery

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Pottery

20th Century Spanish Glazed Cruche or Pitcher, Toledo, Spain
20th Century Spanish Glazed Cruche or Pitcher, Toledo, Spain

20th Century Spanish Glazed Cruche or Pitcher, Toledo, Spain

Located in Miami, FL

20th century Spanish glazed cruche or pitcher, Toledo, Spain The purpose of storing water in an earthenware pitcher is to keep the water cool.

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Mid-20th Century Spanish Federal Pottery

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Staffordshire Hand-Painted Hen on Nest of Eggs Tureen
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Staffordshire Hand-Painted Hen on Nest of Eggs Tureen

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Located in Philadelphia, PA

A Staffordshire pottery hen on a basket covered tureen, England, circa 1890 The hand painted bisque hen sits on her eggs in a glossy Sienna brown basket weave oval base. The hen sho...

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Late 19th Century English Antique Federal Pottery

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Rustic French 19th Century Olive Oil Pottery Jug with Brown and Mustard Glaze
Rustic French 19th Century Olive Oil Pottery Jug with Brown and Mustard Glaze

Rustic French 19th Century Olive Oil Pottery Jug with Brown and Mustard Glaze

Located in Atlanta, GA

Rustic French 19th century pottery olive oil jug with front spout, large upper handle and back one. This 19th-century rustic French pottery olive oil jug exudes an irresistible old-w...

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19th Century French Antique Federal Pottery

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Rare Romanian 1920’s Troita Popa Slipware Jug
Rare Romanian 1920’s Troita Popa Slipware Jug

Rare Romanian 1920’s Troita Popa Slipware Jug

$1,844

H 12.6 in W 14.97 in D 12.21 in

Rare Romanian 1920’s Troita Popa Slipware Jug

Located in Hastings, GB

A stunning large studio pottery Jug, glazed earthenware with a slipware stylized polychrome decoration. Clearly marked to the base. The Troita studio was a prominent studio producer ...

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1920s Romanian Vintage Federal Pottery

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Santa Claus Character Jug by Royal Doulton, England
Santa Claus Character Jug by Royal Doulton, England

Santa Claus Character Jug by Royal Doulton, England

Located in Austin, TX

A fine vintage Santa Claus character jug or decorative mug by the English pottery firm, Royal Doulton.

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20th Century English Federal Pottery

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Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery

19th Century French Jaspe Pottery Pitcher with Yellow Glaze and Green Accents
19th Century French Jaspe Pottery Pitcher with Yellow Glaze and Green Accents

19th Century French Jaspe Pottery Pitcher with Yellow Glaze and Green Accents

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French jaspe pottery pitcher from the 19th century, with yellow glaze and green accents. Created in France during the 19th century, this jaspe pottery pitcher features a yellow gla...

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19th Century French Antique Federal Pottery

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Antique Spode Creamware Chestnut Basket, English, Circa 1825
Antique Spode Creamware Chestnut Basket, English, Circa 1825

Antique Spode Creamware Chestnut Basket, English, Circa 1825

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H 3.13 in W 10.13 in D 5.5 in

Antique Spode Creamware Chestnut Basket, English, Circa 1825

By Josiah Spode

Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire

This is a rare Creamware pottery Chestnut Basket made by the SPODE factory, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England, in the late Georgian, Regency period...

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Early 19th Century English Antique Federal Pottery

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Previously Available Items
18th Century Large Liverpool Cream Ware Jug for the American Market, circa 1780s
18th Century Large Liverpool Cream Ware Jug for the American Market, circa 1780s

18th Century Large Liverpool Cream Ware Jug for the American Market, circa 1780s

Located in Nantucket, MA

Late 18th Century Large Liverpool Cream Ware Jug Made for the American Market, circa 1780s, an extremely large soft paste pottery pitcher made by the English Liverpool potteries for ...

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1780s English Antique Federal Pottery

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Pottery

English Creamware Jug with "Success to the Crooked but interesting Town of Bosto
English Creamware Jug with "Success to the Crooked but interesting Town of Bosto

English Creamware Jug with "Success to the Crooked but interesting Town of Bosto

Located in Downingtown, PA

English Creamware Jug with "Success to the Crooked but interesting Town of Boston" Inscription, Reference to Boston, MA, Probably Liverpool, 1800 The English creamware jug in red has the inscription referring to Boston, MA on one side within a wreath and on the reverse twenty-one lines of red transfer printed verse, by Thomas Moore, also within a wreath. The top and bottom of the jug with a narrow red band and with an applied handle with small spot of red enamel at the top. The inscription is a reference to the winding streets of Boston. Dimensions: 6 1/2 inches high x 7 inches wide x 5 inches; (16.51cm high x 17.78cm wide) Provenance: Warren M. Little Collection, one of the sons of the famous Americana Collector Nina Little. Sold in Fall 1991 for $5,500.00. A clipping from the Maine Antique...

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Late 18th Century Antique Federal Pottery

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Creamware

Pottery Creamware Plate of an American Ship
Pottery Creamware Plate of an American Ship

Pottery Creamware Plate of an American Ship

Located in Downingtown, PA

English pottery creamware plate of an American ship, circa 1785-1800. The circular creamware plate with a slight well is decorated with a black and w...

Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Creamware, Pottery

Federal pottery for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal pottery for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage pottery created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, pottery and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal pottery made in a specific country, there are England, Europe, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 pottery differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,500 and tops out at $8,500 while the average work can sell for $4,800.