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 Staffordshire Blue & White Pottery Pair of Plates

$350 / set

Boston State House Staffordshire Blue & White Pottery Pair of Plates

By John Rogers & Son

Located in Downingtown, PA

Boston State House Staffordshirepair of pottery plates John Rogers & Son, 1825 This Rogers underglaze blue printed plate of the Boston State Ho...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Ceramic Glazed ‘Mobach Utrecht’ Jug, Signed

$1,188

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

Pair of Diminutive Red Staffordshire Spaniels, circa 1860

$556Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 6 in W 3 in D 2 in

Pair of Diminutive Red Staffordshire Spaniels, circa 1860

By Staffordshire

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

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

Category

19th Century English Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

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

Vintage Boho Studio Pottery Plates- Set of 8

$595 / set

H 15 in W 11 in D 11 in

Vintage Boho Studio Pottery Plates- Set of 8

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A fabulous set of 8 gorgeous dinner and salad plates. Super chic hand made studio pottery in thr most beautiful shade of green. Four dinner plates and four salad plates. Acquired fro...

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Pottery

Materials

Pottery

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

Rare Romanian 1920’s Troita Popa Slipware Jug

$1,860

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

Turquoise Blue Pottery Vase

$1,200

H 6.5 in W 5 in D 5 in

Turquoise Blue Pottery Vase

Located in New York, NY

A beautiful Modern turquoise blue Amphora pottery vase, circa early-20th century, USA. Very good condition as shown in images. No chips noted. Dimension...

Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Pottery

Materials

Clay

Spanish Blue & White Pottery Bowl

$682

H 3.25 in W 12 in D 12 in

Spanish Blue & White Pottery Bowl

By Spanish Manufactory

Located in Kingsbridge, GB

Antique glazed ceramic bowl/plate decorated in cobalt blue on a cream background, inspired by the Fajalauza Iberian earthenware tradition from Granada. The bowl with a stylized, hand...

Category

Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Federal Pottery

Materials

Pottery

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

$750

H 9.44 in W 9.44 in D 8.5 in

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.

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Federal Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Stoneware Jug

$179

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

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

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.