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.
$396Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage American Federal Gold Brass Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style small convex bullseye wall mirror featuring an eagle with open wings standing on olive branches. USA, Mid 20th Century Brass frame, with origin...
Brass
$556Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage American Federal Gold Brass Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirrors, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous pair of Federal or Regency style small convex bullseye wall mirrors featuring an eagle with open wings and 13 balls representing the original 13 colonies USA, Mid 20th Ce...
Mirror, Giltwood
$796Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches. USA, Mid 20th Century Giltwood frame, with ori...
Mirror, Giltwood
$1,596Sale Price|20% Off
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open outstretched wings standing on foliate branches and 13 small spheres representing t...
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Gilt Eagle Convex Mirror with Acanthus & Shell Pendant, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
Monumental Period American Federal gilt wood and gesso convex mirror with a central spread winged Eagle perched to flee on rocky plinth, upper flanking scrolled acanthus foliage, in...
Gesso, Mirror, Pine, Giltwood, Ebony
American Federal Gilt Wood Convex Mirror with Perched Eagle to Flee, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal gilt carved wood and gesso convex mirror with perched eagle to flee, flanking acanthus scrolled foliage, interior circular spheres, ebonized reeded ring, and termina...
Gesso, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Ebony
$1,756Sale Price|20% Off
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
19th C. Carved And Gilt Convex Mirror for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Originally purchased in Boston. A classic deep convex mirror with multiple surrounds. The outer decorated with X shaped motifs on each side, a deep curved band with gilt spheres, an ...
Mirror, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American "Federal" Style Convex Mirror.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Late 19th Century American "Federal" Style Convex Mirror. Carved Wood with Gold and an Eagle Perched on Top.
Mirror, Wood
$1,756Sale Price|20% Off
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century American Giltwood Convex Girandole Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
Period American Federal convex girandole mirror of monumental size. Giltwood with original gilding and mirror. New York.
Giltwood
American Federal Gilt Wood & Ebonized Acanthus Foliage Convex Wall Mirror C 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal gilt wood and gesso acanthus foliage convex mirror with central ebonized molded reeded ring, interior lambs tongue border, exterior gilt wood circular spheres, and d...
Ebony, Mirror, Gesso, Pine, Giltwood
American Federal Gilt Wood Ebonized Eagle Girandole Convex Mirror, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal gilt wood girandole convex mirror with perched spread wing eagle, connecting chains with hanging gilt balls, oak leaves with acorns, scrolled foliage medallion candle arms, circular brass bobeches, original ebonized reeded mirror with sphere mounted surround, and terminating with a lower foliage pendant...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$1,756Sale Price|20% Off
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
$1,756Sale Price|20% Off
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
$1,596Sale Price|20% Off
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
$1,756Sale Price|20% Off
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Federal Style Circular Mirror, Giltwood Wall / Pier / Vanity
Located in Manhasset, NY
Federal style circular mirror, giltwood wall / Pier / vanity A Petite Federal style mirror that would compliment any Hollywood Regency or Mid-Century Modern décor. fine giltwood c...
Mirror, Giltwood
$1,756Sale Price|20% Off
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
$1,756Sale Price|20% Off
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Gilt and Ebonized Dolphin Foliage Convex Mirror. Circa 1800
By A. Belokopytoff
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal gilt carved wood convex mirror with a perched intertwined dolphin on a rocky ledge, ebonized reeded banding, circular ball m...
Gesso, Glass, Wood, Ebony, Giltwood
$12,131
H 34.26 in W 25.2 in D 3.15 in
Italian Regency Round Giltwood and Ebonized Convex Mirror with Carved Eagle
Located in Firenze, IT
This Italian antique early 19th century round convex wall mirror featuring the original mercury mirror plate housed in a giltwood and ebonize...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
English Regency Gilt Convex Mirror
Located in Sherborne, GB
Regency convex mirror circa 1815 with slightly worn through water gilding and original mercury glass which is in very good condition, the pine back panel has its original maker’s pap...
Glass, Giltwood
$9,800
H 36 in Dm 23 in
American Federal Gilt Wood & Ebonized Acanthus Foliage Convex Wall Mirror C 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal gilt wood and gesso acanthus foliage convex mirror with central ebonized molded reeded ring, interior lambs tongue border, exterior gilt wood circular spheres, and d...
Ebony, Mirror, Gesso, Pine, Giltwood
$3,750
H 23 in W 23 in D 2 in
English 1900s Silver Leaf Beaded Convex Bullseye Mirror with Ebonized Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English turn of the century silver leaf convex bullseye mirror from the early 20th century, with ebonized accents and beaded motifs. Created in England during the early years of the 20th century, this silver leaf girandole mirror features a circular frame accented with petite spheres whose dark hue contrasts beautifully with the silver gilt finish. The ensemble surrounds a central convex mirror plate with beaded molding. With its simple lines and lovely colors, this English bullseye mirror...
Silver Leaf
$4,800
H 30 in W 23 in D 3.5 in
English 1900s Silver Gilt Convex Girandole Bullseye Mirror with Eagle Motif
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English silver gilt convex girandole bullseye mirror from the early 20th century, with eagle motif. Created in England during the early years of the 20th century, this silver girandole mirror attracts our attention with its eagle marking the upper section. His detailed winged extended, the eagle is showcasing a nice body torsion and is resting on foliage. The circular frame, surrounding a convex mirror plate, is accented with spheres whose dark hue contrasts beautifully with the silver gilt finish. With its great presence and lovely colors, this English bullseye mirror...
Mirror, Wood
19th C. Carved And Gilt Convex Mirror for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Originally purchased in Boston. A classic deep convex mirror with multiple surrounds. The outer decorated with X shaped motifs on each side, a deep curved band with gilt spheres, an ...
Mirror, Wood
Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A fine Regency Period Giltwood Circular Convex Mirror, Surmounted With Attractive Stylised Dolphin Set Upon Rocks And Foliage To Top, Above Moulded Giltwood Concave Frame With Gilt B...
Giltwood
Great 19th Century 50" English Giltwood Bullseye Mirror With Eagle
Located in Richmond, VA
Great 19th century 50" English giltwood bullseye mirror with carved eagle and floral adornements
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique Late 19th Century American "Federal" Style Convex Mirror.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Late 19th Century American "Federal" Style Convex Mirror. Carved Wood with Gold and an Eagle Perched on Top.
Mirror, Wood
Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror
Located in Woodbury, CT
Regency giltwood convex mirror with eagle pediment mount and scrolling acanthus details. Original water gilt finish with warm antique patina and reeded solid ebony inner mount aroun...
Giltwood, Mirror
$1,298
H 26.38 in W 17.33 in D 2.37 in
Antique Regency Convex Mirror, Giltwood Frame with Eagle Crest, 1880s
Located in London, GB
This striking Antique Regency convex mirror features a beautifully carved giltwood frame, embellished with traditional ball mouldings and topped with an impressive eagle crest. Cra...
Gold Leaf
Regency Convex Giltwood Mirror
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Regency giltwood convex mirror, the ebonized eagle with gilt head and shoulders standing on ribbed plinth with acanthus leaf supports, the turned frame...
Mercury Glass, Giltwood
Vintage American Federal Giltwood Eagle Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 colonies around ...
Giltwood, Mirror
Early 19th Century American Federal Convex Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Few objects embody the drama of the Federal period quite like the bullseye mirror. This early 19th-century American example carries all the hallmarks: a convex mirror at its center, ...
Giltwood
Regency Giltwood Convex Bullseye Mirror with Eagle Crest
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Regency or Federal Carved Giltwood Convex Bullseye Mirror with Eagle Pediment. Mirror is carved in giltwood and crowned with a boldly rendered eagle pediment. The circul...
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century American Federal Convex Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Few objects embody the drama of the Federal period quite like the bullseye mirror. This early 19th-century American example carries all the hallmarks: a convex mirror at its center, ...
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Gilt Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 colonies around the inside ...
Composition
Federal Style Circular Giltwood Convex Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
Federal Style Circular Giltwood Convex Mirror, circa 1900, with ribbon design. 21.25" Diameter. Provenance: From a 50 Madison Avenue Estate.
Mirror, Giltwood
Sold
H 19.5 in W 14 in D 1 in
American Federal Giltwood and Cream Painted Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on foliate branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 1...
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Vintage American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Mirror, Giltwood