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.
Antique Philadelphia Federal Coin Silver Ice Tongs
Located in New York, NY
Federal coin silver ice tongs, ca 1830. U-form with cast talon jaws. Marked “J. Peters & Co.”, for James Peters & Co., a Philadelphia silversmith active in the early years of the Rep...
Silver
Antique Baltimore Federal Classical Silver Ladle by Gould & Ward
Located in New York, NY
Federal Classical silver ladle. Made by Gould & Ward in Baltimore, ca 1820. Upturned fiddle terminal engraved with script monogram. Marked “Gould & Ward Baltimore” with “11-12”, whic...
Silver
$31,588 / set
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Baltimore Rose by Schofield Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 189 Pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
Superb monumental Baltimore Rose by Schofield sterling silver flatware set - 189 pieces. This repoussed pattern was designed by Frank Schofield and was introduced in the year 1905. Schofield's most famous and most desirable pattern was Baltimore Rose, which is repoussed in great detail. This set includes: 12 dinner size knives, 9 3/4" 12 dinner size forks, 7 5/8" 12 regular knives, 8 3/4" 12 regular forks, 7 1/8" 12 salad forks, 6 1/4" 12 teaspoons, 6" 12 gumbo soup spoons, 7 1/4" 12 flat handle butter spreaders, 5 1/2" 12 cocktail forks, 5 5/8" 12 ice cream forks, 5 1/4" 12 place soup spoons, 7 1/8" 12 bouillon soup spoons, 5 1/4" 12 grapefruit spoons, 6" 12 demitasse spoons, 4 1/2" 1 salad serving set, 9" 1 pastry server w/stainless blade, 9" 1 sugar tongs, 4" 1 game carving set, 2-pc - 9 3/4" & 8 1/4" 1 roast carving set, 2-pc, 13 1/2" 1 tomato server, 7 1/2" 1 cake server w/stainlessblade, 10" 1 lemon fork, 4 5/8" 1 nut spoon, heart shape, 4" 1 bonbon spoon...
Sterling Silver
$165
H 5.25 in W 2 in D 1 in
Sterling Silver Ladle in Norwegian Blue Bell Pattern signed Thorvald Marthinsen
Located in New York, NY
This Aesthetic Movement sterling silver ladle, crafted by the renowned silversmith Thorvald Marthinsen in Norway circa 1900, is a testament to elegance and intricate design from the ...
Sterling Silver
$160
H 7 in W 2.38 in D 1.63 in
Art Nouveau Silver Plate Rose Pattern Serving Pastry Tongs Vintage, Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Art Nouveau 'Roses' serving tongs for salad, pastry, cake, fish or meat. This serving piece is in a rare and antique 'Rose' pattern design. Made of silver plated metal, i...
Silver Plate
$220 / set
H 7.25 in W 1.63 in D 2.38 in
Two Art Nouveau Silver Plate Serving Tongs for Cake Pastry Candy, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of two beautiful Art Nouveau serving tongs for pastry, cake, candy or meat. These serving piece is in a beautiful design. Made of silver plated metal, it will make a nice addit...
Silver Plate
Antique Coin Dot Satin Glass Punch Bowl Set
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The hand-blown set features a distinctive all-over pattern of clear inverted thumbprint or coin dot circles on a satin ground. The main bowl has a matching lid with a ball handle and...
Glass
Edwardian Sterling Silver "Queen's" Pattern Soup Ladle
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver soup ladle, "Queen's" pattern, London, 1912, Wm Hutton & Sons - makers. Measures: 13 1/2" long x 4" wide across "bowl" of ladle x 1 1/2" x across widest po...
Sterling Silver
Antique Silver Set Of Six Teaspoons & Sugar Tongs
Located in Ipswich, GB
Wonderful set of six teaspoons and sugar tongs with ornate decoration in the origional fitted box with blue velvet interior
Silver
$1,113 / set
H 4.53 in W 0.99 in D 1.97 in
Set of Quality Antique Victorian Solid Silver Spoons and Sugar Tongs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Set of quality antique Victorian solid silver spoons and sugar tongs in their original leather box opening to reveal a set of six antique solid silver spoons...
Silver
$9,147 / set
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Baltimore Rose by Schofield Sterling Silver Flatware Set 12 Service 75 Pieces
Located in Big Bend, WI
Baltimore Rose by Schofield sterling silver repoussed flatware set, 75 pieces. This set includes: 12 knives, 8 3/4", 12 forks, 7 1/8", 12 salad forks, 6 1/4", 12 teaspoons, 6", ...
Sterling Silver
Rare Vintage Franz Hagenauer Jockey Ice Cub or Sugar Tongs
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare early Art Deco sugar tongs, depicting a Dandy, or boy with jokey hat. Also useable for ice cubes. Made about 1930/40 in Vienna Austria. Designed by Fran...
Brass, Nickel
$168Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.63 in W 4.88 in D 3.75 in
Vintage King’s Pattern Soup Ladle Shell Motif, Silver Plate, England
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful silver plated Soup Ladle in Kings Pattern, vintage England. Nice addition to every table. Some patina, but this is old-age. King...
Metal, Silver Plate
Georg Jensen Cypress Sterling Silver Sauce Ladle 155
By Tias Eckhoff
Located in Hellerup, DK
Georg Jensen sterling sauce ladle, item #155 in the Cypress pattern, design #99 by Tias Eckhoff. Norwegian designer Tias Eckhoff’s Cypress was th...
Sterling Silver
Rare 18th Century Antique Nathaniel Austin American Pewter Plate Dish
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare antique 18th century pewter plate, marked with the post-American Revolution eagle mark of Nathaniel Austin. Nathaniel Austin was christ...
Pewter