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.
A Fine Highly Figured Federal Style Pier Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A more diminutive Federal style Pier Mirror with traditional form and particularly rich color and graining. Highly figured mahogany pier mirror with a dimensional crest and two facet...
Mirror, Mahogany
Admiral Eagle Federal Round Bull’s-Eye Wall Mirror
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful round mirror with eagle surmount. In a bronze hue. A great example of the American federal style.
Resin, Plastic
Price Upon Request
Early 19th Century American Federal Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
This American Federal-period overmantel composition mirror features a gilt carved wood and gesso frame. A sculpted eagle is perched above an églomisé panel depicting flowers. Separating the panels of original mirror glass are engaged Corinthian columns, and atop each of the ends are flame-and-leaf finials. The mirror is of an unusual design, but two Federal-period New York mirrors...
Mirror, Giltwood
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.75 in W 45 in D 3 in
20th Century American Federal Giltwood Overmantel Mirror.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
20th Century American Federal Giltwood Overmantel Mirror. This American Federal antique mirror dates to the 20th Century. The symmetrical giltwood frame is rectangular in form and ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Victorian Walnut Pier Mirror
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th/20th C., large handsome Victorian walnut pier mirror. Open pediment top with central spire, carved baluster frame, beveled glass, no ...
Mirror, Walnut, Pine
$1,500
H 47 in W 23.5 in D 3.5 in
Antique American Federal Mahogany Reverse Painted Eagle Trumeau Wall 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 Mahogany Reverse Painted Eagle Trumeau Wall Mirror. Circa Mi...
Glass, Mahogany
$1,438Sale Price|44% Off
H 37.41 in W 28.35 in D 4.73 in
Antique Large Fine Quality Early 19th Century Gilt Overmantel or Wall Mirror
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique large fine quality early 19th century gilt overmantel or wall mirror. A very decorative statement piece, with a great look. A charming mirror, that is full of age and char...
Giltwood
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Each crest with ostrich plume and pair of exotic birds flanked by two handled urns over a mirror plate with outer mirror bands, the base with leaf swag flanked by leaf pendants. Thes...
Giltwood
Louis XVI Style Pier Glass Framed Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Well crafted giltwood pier glass framed Louis XVI style rectangular mantel mirror surmounted with an upright quiver of quills crossed with an arrow and foliate branch above two embra...
Mirror, Wood
Neoclassical Pier Mirrors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of completely original, hand-carved and gilded, Italian, c. 1800 pier mirrors. Each featuring a spectacular crown consisting of a pierced, flower c...
Mercury Glass, Wood
$78,950Sale Price / set|36% Off
H 116 in W 74 in D 9.13 in
Very Fine Pair of French 19th Century Rococo Style Giltwood Carved Pier Mirrors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and important pair of French 19th century Rococo Revival style giltwood carved pier mirrors. The elongated intricately carved frames with carvings of tropical flowers, sc...
Mirror, Wood
$1,183Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.19 in Dm 17.72 in
Rattan Round Wall Mirror in Rattan and Bamboo, Spain 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Mid-Century Modern round bamboo rattan wall mirror, Spain, 1950s-1960s Wrapped tied wicker details on the top, bottom and both sidez. This mirror has reminiscences of Pa...
Bamboo, Wicker, Mirror, Rattan
1 of 7 Ebonised Black Round Wall Mirrors, Lovely Display Pieces
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale 1 of 7 round wall mirrors with deep ebonised frames This sale is for 1 mirror with the option to buy up to 8 in total They are good looking and d...
Mirror
Round Wall Mirror with Ceramic Tiles Mosaic Frame, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Mosaic Round Mirror. Spain, 1960s. This eye-catching mirror has a frame made of hundred of small ceramic tiles in past...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Art Deco Rose Pink Round Wall Mirror, circa 1940s
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful round Art Deco period wall mirror with pink or rose colored mirrored glass, circa 1940s, USA, as marked on back (please see images...
Glass, Mirror
19th C. Carved And Gilt Over- The- Mantel Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Antique Gilt and Carved Mirror in the Federal style. The tripartite mirror with carved cornice over a fine thin leafy surround band on the sid...
Wood, Mirror
Sold
H 50.5 in W 21.5 in D 2 in
18th Century American Large Federal Period Carved-Wood and Gold Gilt Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
Behold an exquisite relic from the 18th century, a grand manifestation of American Federal period craftsmanship—an opulent, large carved-wood mirror adorned with resplendent gold gil...
Wood, Giltwood
Gilt American Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Norwood, NJ
Nicely modelled gilt American Federal style convex mirror with eagle at crest. Ball design and reeded black molding separating glass from frame.
Composition
Federal Gilt-Wood & Eglomise Painted Mirror
Located in Huntington, NY
This American Federal gilt-wood mirror dates Circa 1790, it’s lower rectangular antique mirror plate below A black, white & gold verre e...
Mirror, Giltwood
Vintage Federal Gilt Wood Stars Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gorgeous Federal GP round gilt wood mirror. Bright gold and black frame with a ring of small stars. The perfect distressed finish. Acquired fr...
Gold
Federal Style Mahogany & Gilded Mirror with Carved Eagle and Finials
Located in Baltimore, MD
Federal-style parcel gilt mahogany mirror, circa 1950, featuring a carved open winged eagle perched on an acanthus plinth above a tall triangular panel flanked by flaming urn finials...
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage Pair of Italian Carved Giltwood Mirrored Eagle Sconces
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Vintage pair of Italian carved giltwood mirrored eagle sconces Early 20th century pair of richly gilded hand carved wooden sconces. Each two c...
Giltwood
Pair Bull’s-Eye Eagle Convex Brass Mirrors Federal 1700s Civil War Era
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Two round convex admiral eagle brass mirrors are known as bull's-eye or porthole mirrors. A patriotic addition for lovers of the Federal period or Victorian period. Made of cast iron...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 27.63 in W 15.63 in D 2 in
Antique American Federal Signed Period Giltwood and Eglomisé Diminutive Mirror
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Rare naive antique American Federal signed period giltwood and Eglomisé Diminutive Mirror Signed and dated on original real panel: PG & S , Dec 27, 18...
Gesso, Glass, Giltwood
Antique American Federal Style Convex or Bullseye Carved Gold Leaf Mirror
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Rare and important Antique American Federal style convex or bullseye gold leaf mirror with hand carved wood and gesso frame. 6" D (at pediment) Please note very rare seahorse o...
Gold Leaf
Tilting Federal Style Shaving Mirror Mahogany
Located in Stamford, CT
Tilting federal style shaving mirror mahogany. On sprayed legs and sides this bamboo inspired mahogany table or vanity mirror has gilt gold hi lights to accompany the fine mahogany f...
Federal Style Mahogany Parcel Gilt Mirror
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a Classic example of an American Federal style mahogany mirror with a prominent, yet graceful, swan neck pediment centered by a flowerin...
Glass, Wood, Mahogany, Giltwood