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Federal Folk Art

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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
Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror
Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror

Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror. Circa 19th Centu...

Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Historic World War I Era Blue Star Service Flag, circa 1917
Historic World War I Era Blue Star Service Flag, circa 1917

Historic World War I Era Blue Star Service Flag, circa 1917

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique Historic World War I Era Blue Star Service Flag, circa 1917, a linen flag having a single blue star stitched onto a white canton on a red field. A World War I flag honoring a...

Category

1910s American Vintage Federal Folk Art

Materials

Linen

"Washington Bicentennial 1732-1932" Parade Flag, Printed, circa 1930
"Washington Bicentennial 1732-1932" Parade Flag, Printed, circa 1930

"Washington Bicentennial 1732-1932" Parade Flag, Printed, circa 1930

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Presented is a George Washington Bicentennial parade flag from 1932. The flag is printed with blue, white, and red stripes, with a prominent bust portrait of George Washington at cen...

Category

1930s American Vintage Federal Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Large Jerry St. Clair Gilt & Polychromed Carved Eagle, Rockport ME
Large Jerry St. Clair Gilt & Polychromed Carved Eagle, Rockport ME

Large Jerry St. Clair Gilt & Polychromed Carved Eagle, Rockport ME

Located in Milford, NH

A large colorful example of a carved gilt and polychromed carved wooden eagle clutching a shield with arrows signed and dated 1989 on verso by Jerry St. Clair, Rockport, ME. Very goo...

Category

1980s American Vintage Federal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Silk Broadside An Elegiac Poem Death of President George Washington 1800
Antique Silk Broadside An Elegiac Poem Death of President George Washington 1800

Antique Silk Broadside An Elegiac Poem Death of President George Washington 1800

Located in Portland, OR

An important & rare antique American political printed silk broadside, an elegy on the death of President George Washington, dated 1800. A poem on the Death of President George Was...

Category

1790s Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Silk

19th c. American Federal Folk Art Paint Decorated Small Tole Tray, Circa 1820
19th c. American Federal Folk Art Paint Decorated Small Tole Tray, Circa 1820

19th c. American Federal Folk Art Paint Decorated Small Tole Tray, Circa 1820

Located in Litchfield, CT

Antique early 19th century American Federal folk art paint decorated small tole tray, circa 1820. Octagonal shape with crimped rim. Measures 8 3/4" x 5 7/8" x 1/2". Good condition - ...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Metal

James Madison Signed Scallop Top Ship’s Passport, Dated September 8, 1810
James Madison Signed Scallop Top Ship’s Passport, Dated September 8, 1810

James Madison Signed Scallop Top Ship’s Passport, Dated September 8, 1810

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

This rare ship’s passport, dated September 8, 1810, is signed by James Madison as President and countersigned by Robert Smith, Secretary of State. The vellum document, partially engr...

Category

1810s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Paper

Historic World War I Era Rare Three Star Service Flag, circa 1917
Historic World War I Era Rare Three Star Service Flag, circa 1917

Historic World War I Era Rare Three Star Service Flag, circa 1917

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique Historic World War I Era Rare Three Star Service Flag, circa 1917, a linen flag having three blue stars hand-stitched onto a white canton on a red field. A World War I flag h...

Category

1910s American Vintage Federal Folk Art

Materials

Linen

Large Cast New England Bank Patriotic Eagle and Clipper Ship Plaque
Large Cast New England Bank Patriotic Eagle and Clipper Ship Plaque

Large Cast New England Bank Patriotic Eagle and Clipper Ship Plaque

Located in Nantucket, MA

Cast and Gilded Patriotic Eagle with Clipper Ship Plaque, with a Clutch of Arrows and an Olive Branch in it's Talons, mid 20th Century, from a Boston Bank...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Folk Art

Materials

Composition

Antique Grain Painted Chest of Drawers, Maine, Circa 1830
Antique Grain Painted Chest of Drawers, Maine, Circa 1830

Antique Grain Painted Chest of Drawers, Maine, Circa 1830

Located in Hudson, NY

Absolutely beautiful, circa 1830's, grain painted, graduated chest of drawers. Likely from Maine or possibly Vermont , the workmanship is absolutely beautiful . From the fully turned...

Category

1830s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Pine, Paint

Windsor Highchair In Original Paint Circa 1820
Windsor Highchair In Original Paint Circa 1820

Windsor Highchair In Original Paint Circa 1820

Located in Hudson, NY

Beautiful American, windsor, arrow-back high chair in original surface. Circa 1820, this chair is in excellent condition with an incredible surface history. The splayed legs are much...

Category

1820s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Maple, Paint

American Federal Silhouettes of Livingston Family Members
American Federal Silhouettes of Livingston Family Members

American Federal Silhouettes of Livingston Family Members

Located in New York, NY

Snipping a profile from paper with scissors, and mounting the result to a contrasting sheet of paper, became a popular diversion among the European and American upper classes in the ...

Category

1830s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Paper

Related Items
1868 Map of the Upper Part of the Island of Manhattan Above 86th Street
1868 Map of the Upper Part of the Island of Manhattan Above 86th Street

1868 Map of the Upper Part of the Island of Manhattan Above 86th Street

By Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co.

Located in San Francisco, CA

This wonderful piece of New York City history is over 150 years old. It depicts 86th street and above. It was lithographed by WC Rogers and company. It was made to show what was the Battle of Harlem during the Revolutionary war...

Category

1860s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Paper

31-Star Printed American Flag, Celebrating California Statehood, Circa 1850
31-Star Printed American Flag, Celebrating California Statehood, Circa 1850

31-Star Printed American Flag, Celebrating California Statehood, Circa 1850

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

This is a rare 31-star medallion printed American flag, celebrating the addition of California to the Union. The flag is printed on silk and has a spectacular “Great Star” canton pat...

Category

1850s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Silk

33 star Antique American Parade Flag with Stars in a Double Wreath Configuration
33 star Antique American Parade Flag with Stars in a Double Wreath Configuration

33 star Antique American Parade Flag with Stars in a Double Wreath Configuration

Located in York County, PA

33 STARS IN A DOUBLE-WREATH CONFIGURATION, ON AN ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG DATING IMMEDIATELY PRE-CIVIL WAR THROUGH THE WAR'S OPENING YEAR, REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF OREGON TO THE UNION, ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Vintage 1976 American Bicentennial Bennington "76" Flag
Vintage 1976 American Bicentennial Bennington "76" Flag

Vintage 1976 American Bicentennial Bennington "76" Flag

Located in San Francisco, CA

ABOUT An original 1970s Bicentennial-era reproduction of the historic Bennington Flag, which famously commemorates the American Revolutionary War and the spirit of 1776. Crafted duri...

Category

Mid-20th Century Federal Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Historic World War I Era Rare Three Star Service Flag, circa 1917
Historic World War I Era Rare Three Star Service Flag, circa 1917

Historic World War I Era Rare Three Star Service Flag, circa 1917

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique Historic World War I Era Rare Three Star Service Flag, circa 1917, a linen flag having three blue stars hand-stitched onto a white canton on a red field. A World War I flag h...

Category

1910s American Vintage Federal Folk Art

Materials

Linen

13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration, circa 1876
13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration, circa 1876

13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration, circa 1876

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

This small charming 13-star flag waver was made for and sold during the nation’s Centennial celebration in Philadelphia in 1876. All manner of flags were made for the official Centen...

Category

1870s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Fabric

13-Star Wool American Flag, with Zig-Zag Stars, Circa 1900
13-Star Wool American Flag, with Zig-Zag Stars, Circa 1900

13-Star Wool American Flag, with Zig-Zag Stars, Circa 1900

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

This is a beautiful 13-star American flag, each star sewn with zig-zag stitching. The wool flag was sewn at the turn of the century, circa 1900. The flag features 13 white stars rest...

Category

Early 1900s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Brass

48 Star Antique American Flag, with Hand-Crocheted Stars, ca 1917-1918
48 Star Antique American Flag, with Hand-Crocheted Stars, ca 1917-1918

48 Star Antique American Flag, with Hand-Crocheted Stars, ca 1917-1918

Located in York County, PA

48 STARFISH-LIKE, NEEDLEWORK EXECUTED STARS ON A HAND-CROCHETED ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG FROM THE EARLIEST PART OF THE 48 STAR ERA, 1912-WWI (U.S. INVOLVEMENT 1917-18) OR EVEN PRIOR TO ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Diminutive 18th Century American Chippendale Mirror
Diminutive 18th Century American Chippendale Mirror

Diminutive 18th Century American Chippendale Mirror

Located in Hudson, NY

A fine diminutive 18th century American Chippendale mirror with cut-out scroll work crests and ears in mahogany retaining original dry surf...

Category

1790s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood

Antique 20thC Solid Silver & Lapis Lazuli Mounted Miniature Mirror C.1900
Antique 20thC Solid Silver & Lapis Lazuli Mounted Miniature Mirror C.1900

Antique 20thC Solid Silver & Lapis Lazuli Mounted Miniature Mirror C.1900

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique early 20th Century Continental solid silver and lapis lazuli mounted miniature mirror, of oval form, with the glass surrounded by segmented lapis lazuli panels and the revers...

Category

Early 1900s Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Silver

39-Star American Parade Flag, Commemorating North Dakota Statehood, Circa 1889
39-Star American Parade Flag, Commemorating North Dakota Statehood, Circa 1889

39-Star American Parade Flag, Commemorating North Dakota Statehood, Circa 1889

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

This is a 39-star unofficial American parade flag, celebrating North Dakota statehood. The printed flag dates to 1889 and showcases a “whimsical” star pattern in the canton. The flag...

Category

1880s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood
Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood

Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood. Vintage hand carved Ironwood Southwestern seri sculpture of an Eagle. Dimensions: 5.5" x 3.5". circa 1970. Ironwood hand carved eagle or falcon...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Native American Indigenous Peoples Carved Polychrome Canoe Model
Antique Native American Indigenous Peoples Carved Polychrome Canoe Model

Antique Native American Indigenous Peoples Carved Polychrome Canoe Model

Located in Forney, TX

An exceptionally rare antique Native American / Indigenous Peoples hand carved and painted wooden dugout canoe model, dating to the early 20th century or earlier, likely Pacific Nort...

Category

Early 20th Century North American Federal Folk Art

Materials

Twine, Wood, Paint

Sensational Early 19th Century Chapeau De Gendarme Hat Box
Sensational Early 19th Century Chapeau De Gendarme Hat Box

Sensational Early 19th Century Chapeau De Gendarme Hat Box

Located in Round Top, TX

A sensational early 19th century French Chapeau De Gendarme - officer's hat box in leather. Such a nostalgic shape!! A great accent piece for any b...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Leather

Previously Available Items
Declaration of Independence, Printed on Silk, Circa 1830
Declaration of Independence, Printed on Silk, Circa 1830

Declaration of Independence, Printed on Silk, Circa 1830

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Presented is a rare and magnificent early printing of the Declaration of Independence on silk. The silk broadside was printed by stereotype by James Conner, in New York. Printed circ...

Category

1830s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Silk

Antique American 38 Star Flag, circa 1876
Antique American 38 Star Flag, circa 1876

Antique American 38 Star Flag, circa 1876

Sold

H 23.75 in W 34 in D 0.75 in

Antique American 38 Star Flag, circa 1876

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique American 38 Star Flag, circa 1876, a printed one-side cotton parade flag bearing 38 stars, marking the admission of Colorado as the 38th state in 1876. The flag is structura...

Category

1870s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889
American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889

American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889

Sold

H 23 in W 30.13 in D 0.75 in

American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889, a printed cotton flag bearing 39 stars in the wavy star pattern. Never an official American flag, this configuration anticipated the admiss...

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

American Federal Two Drawer Stand In Original Red Surface 1810 - 1825
American Federal Two Drawer Stand In Original Red Surface 1810 - 1825

American Federal Two Drawer Stand In Original Red Surface 1810 - 1825

Located in Hudson, NY

A very sturdy and charming, painted two drawer stand. American Circa 1810 to 1820. Made it popular with pine secondary wood likely Northern New England, likely Maine, retains the ori...

Category

1810s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Poplar, Pine

19th Century American 42 Star Flag, circa 1889
19th Century American 42 Star Flag, circa 1889

19th Century American 42 Star Flag, circa 1889

Sold

H 38.5 in W 54.75 in D 1 in

19th Century American 42 Star Flag, circa 1889

Located in Nantucket, MA

19th Century American 42 Star Flag, circa 1889, printed on linen period flag in the "Dancing Star" pattern. This was never an official U.S. flag sanctioned b y congress, but was made...

Category

1880s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Linen

13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration
13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration

13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

This small charming 13-star flag waver was made for and sold during the nation’s Centennial celebration in Philadelphia in 1876. All manner of flags were made for the official Centen...

Category

1870s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Fabric

13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration
13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration

13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

This small charming 13-star flag waver was made for and sold during the nation’s Centennial celebration in Philadelphia in 1876. All manner of flags were made for the official Centen...

Category

1870s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Fabric

13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration
13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration

13-Star Flag Waver for the Centennial Celebration

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

This small charming 13-star flag waver was made for and sold during the nation’s Centennial celebration in Philadelphia in 1876. All manner of flags were made for the official Centen...

Category

1870s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Fabric

American 38 Star Parade Flag, circa 1877
American 38 Star Parade Flag, circa 1877

American 38 Star Parade Flag, circa 1877

Sold

H 11.38 in W 16.5 in D 0.75 in

American 38 Star Parade Flag, circa 1877

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique American 38 Star Parade Flag, circa 1877, a fine woven linen small parade flag with 38 stars in a bold "Dancing Star" pattern, enacted in 1877 upon the admission of Colorado....

Category

1870s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Linen

19th Century 39 Star American Flag, circa 1889
19th Century 39 Star American Flag, circa 1889

19th Century 39 Star American Flag, circa 1889

Sold

H 17.5 in W 29.5 in D 0.75 in

19th Century 39 Star American Flag, circa 1889

Located in Nantucket, MA

19th Century 39 Star American Flag, circa 1889, a printed linen ensign with 39 stars arranged in a wavy star pattern, with stripes in a very unus...

Category

1880s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Linen

19th Century American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889
19th Century American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889

19th Century American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889

Sold

H 20.63 in W 30.63 in D 0.75 in

19th Century American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889

Located in Nantucket, MA

19th Century American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889, a period printed silk parade flag with a wavy pattern of dancing stars. This was never an official flag of the United States but was m...

Category

1880s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Silk

13-Star American Parade Flag, 1860
13-Star American Parade Flag, 1860

13-Star American Parade Flag, 1860

Sold

H 34.24 in W 25.13 in D 1 in

13-Star American Parade Flag, 1860

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Presented is a stunning 13-star American parade flag, dating to 1860. The wool flag has 13 hand-sewn cotton stars with truncated tips. The stars are configured in the “Third Maryland” or “Cowpens” pattern, consisting of a 12-star wreath surrounding a large central star. The flag design is completed with 13 red and white alternating stripes and a white cotton hoist. The flag’s hoist has “Lafayette Post 140” stenciled in selvage. The “Third Maryland” star pattern of a 12-star wreath surrounding a central star is associated with an early 13-star flag that was long thought to have been carried by William Batchelor of the 3rd Maryland Regiment at the Battle of Cowpens during the American Revolution. The flag, now in the collection of the Maryland State Archives, was later discovered by Smithosian experts to date to the mid-19th century. But this particular star pattern is forever linked to that particular 13-star flag and the wreath and central star configuration is still referred to as a “Third Maryland” or “Cowpens” style among dealers and collectors. Thirteen star flags with the “Third Maryland” pattern are among the scarcest and most desired by collectors of early American flag...

Category

1860s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Early 19th Century Store Display American Crca 1800-1810
Early 19th Century Store Display American Crca 1800-1810

Early 19th Century Store Display American Crca 1800-1810

Located in Hudson, NY

This is an incredibly rare piece. Made from Pine with the original dark green paint. Originally used as a store display in the early 19th century. With swollen baluster turnings, cup...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Pine, Paint

Blanket Chest In Original Blue Paint American Circa 1810
Blanket Chest In Original Blue Paint American Circa 1810

Blanket Chest In Original Blue Paint American Circa 1810

Located in Hudson, NY

Beautiful federal two drawer blanket chest in the original blue paint ad retaining its gorgeous old dry surface. Beautiful cut apron across the front as well as the sides. This chest also retaining the original brass pulls with Greek key pattern. Height of feet is completely intact. The top is attached with the original cotter-pins. Likely Connecticut This item can be viewed in person at The Berkshire Galleries in Great Barrington...

Category

1810s American Antique Federal Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Vintage Hand Carved Wooden Eagle with Shield and Arrows
Vintage Hand Carved Wooden Eagle with Shield and Arrows

Vintage Hand Carved Wooden Eagle with Shield and Arrows

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Presented is a vintage, Bellamy-style, hand carved wooden eagle. This late 19th century to early 20th century wood eagle is bronze-brushed with a painted red, white, and blue shield. It supports a shield in its right talon as the head looks to its left. In its left talon is a bundle of arrows. When Charles Thomson put together the final design for the Great Seal, he placed a bundle of thirteen arrows in the eagle's left (sinister) talon. The official description specifies the bald eagle holding "in his sinister, a bundle of thirteen arrows." The thirteen arrows are tightly aligned – a symbol of "strength in unity" that's found in the traditional cultures everywhere, from the Romans to the Iroquois— in this case a nod to the unity of the original 13 colonies. The clutched shield has a blue chief. Twenty one alternating red and white stripes complete the shield design. With carved detailed feathers and a dramatic expression, this stylized eagle is an interesting work of art. The relief carving is styled after John Bellamy, a well known folk artist made popular in the late 19th century for his stylized eagles and ship carvings...

Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Federal folk art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal folk art 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 folk art, popular names associated with this style include and William Matthew Prior. 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 folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,500 and tops out at $15,995 while the average work can sell for $5,643.