Federal Pottery

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.

Style: Federal

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

$3,800

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

$5,000

"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

Boston State House Plates by John Rogers & Son, Pearlware, 1825

$350 / set

Boston State House Plates by John Rogers & Son, Pearlware, 1825

By John Rogers & Son

Located in Downingtown, PA

Beacon Hill Blues: The Definitive Rogers ‘Boston State House’ Plates Circa 1825 This rare pair of underglaze blue-printed pearlware plates represen...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

American Mission Porcelain Pitcher Attributed to Rookwood

$9,750

H 12 in W 5 in D 4 in

American Mission Porcelain Pitcher Attributed to Rookwood

By Rookwood Pottery Co.

Located in Queens, NY

American Mission vase/pitcher decorated with flowers and silver deposit whiplash design attributed to Rookwood.

Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Pottery

Materials

Silver

Mid Century Modern plate by Robert Picault, France

$337

H 2.37 in Dm 9.06 in

Mid Century Modern plate by Robert Picault, France

By Robert Picault

Located in London, GB

Earthenware plate with matt grey glaze depicting a bull by the celebrated French ceramicist Robert Picault, Vallauris, South of France. Signed to base. THE PLATE IS NOT SOLD WITH T...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Federal Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Ceramic Glazed ‘Mobach Utrecht’ Jug, Signed

$1,164

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Federal Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Early Wedgwood Egyptian Revival Neoclassical Rosso Antico Coffee Pot

$1,500

H 7.75 in W 8 in D 4.5 in

Early Wedgwood Egyptian Revival Neoclassical Rosso Antico Coffee Pot

By Josiah Wedgwood

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...

Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Pair of Bennington Toby Jugs

$850 / set

H 10 in Dm 8 in

Pair of Bennington Toby Jugs

By Bennington Potters

Located in Buchanan, MI

One pair of Bennington Toby jugs.

Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Pottery

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...

Category

20th Century English Federal Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Early 19th Century Creamware Liverpool Jug

$4,000

H 8.63 in W 8.25 in D 5.5 in

Early 19th Century Creamware Liverpool Jug

Located in High Point, NC

Early 19th century creamware Liverpool jug of the American ship Caroline, circa 1800, with polychromed decorated image of the sea and the American flag ...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Creamware

Rare Romanian 1920’s Troita Popa Slipware Jug

$1,822

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 ...

Category

1920s Romanian Vintage Federal Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Victorian George Jones Majolica Rustic Blossom Pitcher

$1,066

H 5.9 in W 6.7 in D 4.7 in

Victorian George Jones Majolica Rustic Blossom Pitcher

By George Jones

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

George Jones Majolica jug/pitcher which features pink and white blossom (hawthorn or mayflower), and green leaves on brown, bark effect ground and a rustic branch...

Category

1870s English Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Majolica

Black Stoneware Phiale Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki

$830 / item

H 3.94 in Dm 11.82 in

Black Stoneware Phiale Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki

Located in Geneve, CH

Black Stoneware Phiale Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 30 x H 10 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: With\without handle - Black, Whit...

Category

2010s Greek Federal Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Red Stoneware Phiale Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki

$830 / item

H 3.94 in Dm 11.82 in

Red Stoneware Phiale Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki

Located in Geneve, CH

Red Stoneware Phiale Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 30 x H 10 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: With\w...

Category

2010s Greek Federal Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Stoneware Jug

$175

H 15.75 in W 9.06 in D 9.06 in

Stoneware Jug

Located in London, England

2 gallon partially glazed stoneware jug. Circa 1930

Category

20th Century British Federal Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Previously Available Items

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

Sold

H 11 in W 10.75 in D 8.75 in

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 ...

Category

1780s English Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Liverpool Creamware Desk Plaque of George Washington

Sold

H 0.13 in W 4 in D 5 in

Liverpool Creamware Desk Plaque of George Washington

By Herculaneum Pottery

Located in Downingtown, PA

Liverpool Creamware Plaque of George Washington, Herculaneum Pottery, Circa 1800 The Liverpool creamware plaque depicts the Gilbert Stuart ima...

Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Creamware, Pottery

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

Sold

H 6.5 in W 7 in D 5 in

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...

Category

Late 18th Century Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Creamware

Pottery Creamware Plate of an American Ship

Sold

H 1 in Dm 10 in

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.