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.
Eagle Table Lamp in Federal Style, Gilt Metal & Wood, USA, 1950s
Located in Glasgow, GB
A Federal style eagle table lamp produced in the United States during the 1950s, combining gilt metal, brass, and turned wood in a sculptural and characterful composition. The design centres on a cast metal eagle...
Metal, Brass, Gold Leaf
Vintage French Empire Federal Style Small Brass Bouillotte Tole Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Federal Style Small Brass Bouillotte Tole Metal Table Lamp with Shade and Eagle Finial. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 20" H (to finial) x 12.5" H (to li...
Metal, Brass
960'sPair of Crystal & Square Brass Bases Ornate Shades 25" Tall Table Lamps
Located in Rockaway, NJ
960'sPair of Crystal & Square Brass Bases Ornate Shades 25" Tall Table Lamps
Crystal, Brass
Hand Painter Verre Églomisé Table Lamp with Federal Style Eagle Motif
Located in Houston, TX
Charming federal style verre églomisé American table lamp. Great for a classical or historic home. Newly re-wired for USA.
Glass
Vintage Federal Style Brass Candlestick Urn Form Table Lamps, Japan - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Federal Style Brass Candlestick Urn Form Table Lamps, Made in Japan - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 35" H (to finial) x 30" H (to light socket) x 7" W x 7" D....
Brass
Vintage Federal Style Polished Brass Candlestick Small Vanity Table Lamps a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Federal Style Polished Brass Candlestick Small Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 25.5" H (to finial) x 17" H (to light socket) x5" W x 5" D. {3-Way...
Brass
Carved Alabaster Grapes Leaf Motive Urn Shape Square Mable Base Table Lamp MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Carved Alabaster Grapes Leaf Motive Urn Shape Square Mable Base Table Lamp MINT!
Alabaster, Marble
$1,575 / item
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 ...
Crystal
Pair of Fine Elegant Alabaster Marble Onion Shape Bases Table Lamps Clean!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Fine Elegant Alabaster Marble Onion Shape Bases Table Lamps Clean!
Marble
Large Bamboo Pair of Table Lamps with Brass Bases
Located in New York, NY
large bamboo pair of table lamps with brass bases. Beautiful and chic table lamps. Lovely brass bases and bamboo tops held by brass top.
Brass
$1,795
H 26 in Dm 13 in
French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Three Candelabras Bouillotte Lamp Tole Shade
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze three candelabras Bouillotte lamp with two Edison sockets and dark forest green tole shade.
Bronze
$2,400 / set
H 32.5 in Dm 7.5 in
Pair of Verre Églomisé Lamps Coats of Arms for the Earls Bathurst and Granville
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of vintage reverse painted glass cylinder lamps, black and gilding, depicting the coats of arms of British aristocratic families of ...
Mercury Glass
Large Bamboo Pair of Table Lamps with Brass Bases
Located in New York, NY
Large bamboo pair of table lamps with brass bases Beautiful and chic table lamps. Lovely brass bases and bamboo tops held by brass ...
Brass
Pair of Neoclassical Urn Form Stainless Table Lamps
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant pair of table lamps in the form of stainless steel urns. Regal in appearance, great size, not cumbersome. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Wiring ...
Stainless Steel
Fine Pair Of Neoclassical Style Urn Form Table Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A refined and very decorative pair of metal lamps in a very well done timeworn paint application in Tan and Bone. With lovely proportions and elegant presentation, the Urn has folia...
Metal
$947Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.54 in Dm 9.85 in
1920s Cubist-Style Pâte de Verre Pastel Blue Glass Table Lamp
By Clichy
Located in Glasgow, GB
A striking 1920s Cubist-style glass table lamp, crafted using the pâte de verre or pâte de verre marmoreen technique in 1920s France, attributed to Clichy. Measuring 42 cm tall with...
Glass, Art Glass
Pair Polished Vintage Mid Century Brass Table Lamps
Located in Madrid, ES
A pair of Swedish lamps, in Renaissance style in solid and polished brass, round base supported by brass balls, are prepared for use in the US, the lampshades is black with gold int...
Brass
1950s Pair of Brass Candlestick Lamps
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Each lamp with a turned and fluted brass candlestick form, resting on a circular stepped base with beaded detail. Nicely aged surface with warm patina.
Brass
French Empire Neoclassical Style Tole Lamp
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exquisite French Empire tole lamp featuring a columnar form with gilt decoration over a black background. Hand-painted wreaths and vines adorn the column with a maiden playing a horn...
Tin
Pair of Brass Table Lamps with Cream Fabric Shades
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your space with this elegant pair of table lamps featuring a warm, reflective brass base and classic tapered cream fabric shades. The rounded, sculptural silhouette adds a to...
Brass
$816Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 21.66 in Dm 5.71 in
Pair of Vintage 1950's Brass Candlestick Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
These 1950s vintage table lamps are beautifully elegant with their curved stacked bodies, a hallmark of the 'turned brass' design. The brass ...
Brass
Sold
H 29.5 in W 10 in D 6 in
Waterford Crystal Lamp Killarney Kinsale Bankers Table Lamp 1990s - 1stDibs
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage table lamp features sculptural cut crystal base with brass base and topper with an arm. Elongated cylinder-shaped crystal body is decorated with parallel bands of large cut d...
Crystal, Brass
Vintage Federal Style Brass Metal Table Lamp With Shield and Wreath Design
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Federal Style Brass Metal Table Lamp With Shield and Wreath Design. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H (to finial) x 16.6" H (to light socket) x 8" W x 8" D. (Locat...
Metal
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...
Bronze
Neoclassical Gilded Eagle Lamp in the style of Maison Charles, 1970s.
By Maison Charles, Maison Baguès, Maison Jansen
Located in Lille, FR
Gilded Eagle Lamp in the style of Maison Charles, 1970s.
Marble, Metal
Vintage Brass Tole Metal Black Tole Shade Candlestick Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage brass tole metal black tole shade candlestick desk table lamp. Item features twin light sockets, brass frame, quality craftsmanship, great ...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 33 in W 14.5 in D 14.5 in
Antique Federalist Styled Carved & Gilt Finished Eagle Sculptural Table Lamp
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique well executed carved eagle table lamp is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from the United States and date to approximately 192...
Gesso, Softwood
Tall Federal Style Green and Gold Metal Eagle Lamp
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful federal-style cast metal green eagle lamp. This tall lamp will be a great accent to any nightstand, occasional table, or entryway. Cast in metal in a beautiful olive gree...
Metal
Thomas Adams Brass Double Student Lamp, circa 1940
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Arts & Crafts double student lamp by Thomas Adams offers brass frame having urn form fonts and adjustable arms terminating in lights wit...
Brass
Pair of Federal Style Stiffel Brass Lamps
By Stiffel
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of brass Stiffel lamps.
Brass
Vintage Fire Bucket Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Fire Bucket Lamp
Leather