Federal Lighting
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
Large Brass Hexagon Shape Lantern Chandelier 9 Light Beveled Glass
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Gorgeous Large Brass Hexagon Shape Lantern Chandelier 9 Light Beveled Glass
Dimensions : 44" Tall X 22" Wide X 22" Deep
This lantern has beveled glass and is stunning! It has 9 lig...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass
Monumental Over 4 FT Tall 12 Light Brass & Glass Chandelier Lantern
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Monumental Over 4 FT Tall 12 Light Brass & Glass Chandelier Lantern
Dimensions : 56" Tall X 28.5" Wide X 28.5" Deep
This lantern is monumental perfect for an entry way!
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass
High Quality Bronze Patina 6 Light Chandelier Lantern 38 X 24 X 24
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Gorgeous High Quality Bronze Patina 6 Light Chandelier Lantern 38 X 24 X 24
Dimensions : 38 X 24 X 24
This lantern has a gorgeous bronze patina and is well cast! The lantern is in ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Compatible Bronze Bouillotte Table, Desk Lamps, Tole
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Compatible Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamps, Tole
The set having matching shades and finials with compatible bases, one urn form and one column form. Both are bronze having bro...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Courthouse Eagle Globe Lamp
Located in Peekskill, NY
This lamp features a 16 inch diameter milk glass globe. I think thats the largest globe we have ever offered and it does make a statement. The decorative elements definitely say muni...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Lighting
Materials
Glass
Neoclassical Gilded Eagle Lamp in the style of Maison Charles, 1970s.
Located in Lille, FR
Gilded Eagle Lamp in the style of Maison Charles, 1970s.
Category
1970s French Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Marble, Metal
Caldwell Federal Style Eagle Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s gilt bronze federal style double arm sconces. Available in silver plate
Category
1920s American Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Eagle Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces Federal Style
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell federal style silver plated sconces with eagles
Category
1910s American Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Eagle Design Gilt Bronze Sconces With Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930's Eagle design gilt bronze sconces with convex mirrored backplate, one light
Category
1930s American Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920's Silver Plated Caldwell Traditional Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plates sconces, traditional style.
Category
1910s American Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Early 20th C. Hand Carved Continental Parcel Gilt Eagle Motif Wall Sconces
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of early 20th century hand carved eagle motif gilt wood wall sconces.
Nicely carved and made, will fit in with any traditional American decor.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Federal Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
Regency Style Six-Arm Bronze Swan Decorated Chandelier
Located in Stamford, CT
A regency style six-arm bronze swan decorated chandelier. This six-arm chandelier depicting swans chained to a centre ball decorated with a ebony finish. The whole supported by a set...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Hollywood Regency Tole Lamps
Located in Nashville, TN
This is a beautiful pair of Hollywood Regency style Italian tole lamps! The bases are black marble with gold gilt leaves rising up from them to the ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Crystal
French Federal Style Antiqued Chandelier, 6 Bulbs
Located in Plainview, NY
A stylish French federal style chandelier made in antiqued fashion. The metal frame has a beautiful pewter antique finish. The chandelier is e...
Category
20th Century Federal Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Federal Style Gilt Bronze 2 Lite Sconces Early 20th Cent 'One Pair Only'
Located in Atlanta, GA
One pair of federal style gilt bronze 2 light sconces. Handsome gilt bronze and substantial weight and presence. Perfect for any room.
Category
Early 20th Century European Federal Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique Louis XVI Style Giltwood Wall Sconces with Eagles
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Louis XVI Style giltwood wall sconces
Additional information:
Materials: Wood
Color: Gold
Period: early 19th century
Place of Origin: France
Styles: Federal
...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Federal Lighting
Materials
Wood
Monumental Traditional Brass Curved Glass 12 Light Foyer Cylindrical Chandelier
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
A monumental mansion size solid brass and curved glass cylindrical foyer chandelier.
This light fixture is extremely large with a striking presence.
The photographs truly do not do it justice.
It features 12 candelabra sockets with black accents around the top and bottom rim and gold metal decorative filigree decorations. .
The fixture comes with a heavy duty chain and ceiling cap.
The glass curves around the perimeter and adds a touch of elegance.
(Chain and wire measure 37 inches long)
What an elegant traditional chandelier...
Category
1980s Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass
Late 19th-C. Federal Style Carved Giltwood Eagle Form Sconces, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These have a timeless elegance. It is a large scale pair of carved giltwood sconces with Federal styling. The facing eagles are adorned with axes and arrows. The wiring and candle co...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Federal Lighting
Materials
Metal
S373 Late 20th Century Cast Brass Two Arm Sconces, a Pair
Located in Canton, MA
Solid cast brass sconces with an oval detailed backplate. Two arms. Ready to install. UL listed. 40 watt max in each socket.
Dimensions:
8.5” Width x 4.5” Depth x 9” Height
C. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century E.F. Caldwell Leaded Glass Lantern
Located in Canton, MA
A hexagonal leaded glass lantern. The glass panels are wheel engraved with a curved foliate flower basket design. The top panels slant to the top and have clear round glass pieces. T...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Lighting
Materials
Lead
1940s Federal Style 6-Arm Brass Chandelier Nickel Plated with Original Patina
Located in New York, NY
This federal style 6 light chandelier is original to the 1940's and is nickel pated over brass with the original patina. It has elegant arms surrounding an urn shaped body and featur...
Category
1940s American Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Large E.F. Caldwell Gilt Bronze and White Glass Pendant Light
Located in Canton, MA
A Federal style pendant lantern with opalescent glass and patinated bronze with gilt bronze details. It is of a scale appropriate for an institut...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century Federal Style Continental Brass Lanterns, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful pair of Federal style brass lanterns with eagle pediment. They have a made in Holland label. They are not wired and were likely operated via oil.
Category
Early 20th Century European Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Mirrored Wall Sconces with Stars
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique raw metal Federal style wall sconces with classic convex mirrors and star burst tops all in a chic tight form. As seen in th...
Category
20th Century American Federal Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair Federal Cast Brass Sconces with Eagles and Hurricane Glass Shades, ca 1920s
Located in New York, NY
AIS2912
A pair of single light federal Revival period sconces with clear glass hurricane shades and slender backplates surmounted by eagles, circa 1920...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass
Bronze Federal Style "Liberty" Alabaster Dome Chandelier
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Wonderful bronze and slag glass Liberty chandelier. The Liberty chandelier is a very popular chandelier for commercial and residential use. It gives off an alabaster amber glow and s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Federal Lighting
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Pair of Antique Early 19th Century Federal Giltwood Wall Sconces with Eagles
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of antique early 19th century federal giltwood wall sconces with eagles.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Federal Lighting
Materials
Giltwood
Large American Federal Style Eagle Wood Carved Two-Light Sconce
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This wood carved and gold gilded antique sconce features a majestic eagle with spread wings beneath a tied bow. The candle arms are of patinated scrolled brass and very finely detail...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass
1920s Acid Etched Frosted Glass Federal Style Globe Pendant Light
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1920s, Federal style, acid etched, frosted glass, globe pendant light depicting American eagle and stars and stripes with brass fitter, chain and canopy. The pendant is newly wired a...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Federal Eagle Carved Gilt Wall Sconces, Two Lights, 19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
A fine pair of two-light wall sconce. Each ribbon form in the Federal taste having gilt tassels and bow design with ebonized hi lights. Both depicting a winged eagle in flight. Hard...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Federal Lighting
Materials
Wood
Two Arm Shield Back Sconces in Silver Plate by Bradley & Hubbard, Circa 1910s
Located in New York, NY
AIS2736
A pair of double light sconces in silverplate over brass having shield form backplates. Signed by the maker Bradley and Hubbard. Circa 1910s.
Dimensions:
Overall: 13-1/4" h....
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Lighting
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Early 19th C American Dolphin Giltwood Sconces
Located in Charleston, SC
A pair of dolphin sconces made of carved wood gilt featuring two candle arms. Dolphin-form items are rare and highly demanded among collector's.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Lighting
Materials
Wood
1940s Federal 5 Arm Petite Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Federal style brass five arm chandelier with fluted details and candlestick arms from 1940s. Cleaned and restored. Please note, this item is located in our Scranton, PA location.
Category
1940s Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass
1910s Pair of Petite Bronze Federal Two-Arm Wall Sconces, Floral Details
Located in New York, NY
1910s pair of petite Federal style floral bronze sconces with two arms and ribbon detailing.. Priced as a pair. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan St location in Scranton. PA.
Category
1910s American Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1920s Silver Plated Six-Light Colonial Style Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
1920s six light Federal style chandelier. Made of brass with a silver finish. Price includes restoration. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan...
Category
1920s American Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Brass
1920s Pair of Federal Style Iron and Crystal Sconces with Arrow
Located in New York, NY
From circa 1920, fashioned out of iron with crystal dressing and presented in a Federal style. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan St location in Scranton, PA.
Category
1920s American Vintage Federal Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Federal lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Federal lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal lighting 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 lighting, popular names associated with this style include and Edward F. Caldwell & Co.. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $35,000 while the average work can sell for $2,300.
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