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.
Federal Style Giltwood Overmantel Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
Federal gilt wood overmantel with eglomise panel and spherules under cornice. Lions heads and cluster columns flanking mirror.
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century Giltwood Mirror with Rosette Corners and Fruit Panel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An antique carved giltwood wall mirror from the 1800s featuring a rectangular frame with rosette corners and a basket of fruit panel at the top. It is made of wood and gilded with g...
Mirror
Antique Centennial American Federal Gilded Carved Eagle and Mahogany Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Celebrate American heritage with this Antique Centennial American Federal Wall Mirror, featuring a majestic carved giltwood eagle crest and elegant mahogany frame. Crafted around the...
Gesso, Mahogany
American Federal Style Giltwood Eagle Crest Convex Mirror, Mid-20th Century
Located in Elkhart, IN
A Federal-style giltwood convex mirror crowned with a carved eagle, its wings outstretched above a laurel motif—an enduring symbol drawn from early American design. The circular fram...
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Trumeau Mirror with hand painted on board perched eagle with yellow background. Measures 21.5" tall and 11" in width.
Mirror, Mahogany, Paint
Antique American Federal Carved Giltwood Pier Mirror Églomisé Panel NY 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American Federal period, Classical giltwood eglomise pier mirror, New York, circa 1815. The mirror with a stepped cornice and applied gilt spheres, below are bands of ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Monumental Philadelphia Federal Period Gilt & Mahogany Eagle Mirror
By John Pollard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental American Federal Gilt and Mahogany Eagle Mirror with Oak Garland Swags, Possible the work of the Philadelphia Workshop of John Pollard, Circa 1800 A monumental and master...
Gesso, Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage Decorative Crafts Inc American Federal Carved Wood Gold Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Decorative Crafts Inc American Federal Carved Wood Gold Gilt Wall Mirror. Item features gold gilt and brown distress painted finish, carved finials, solid wood frame, nicely ...
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century Federal Style Cherry and Gilt Metal Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Federal Style Cherry and Gilt Metal Wall Mirror. Measures 49" in width and 27" in height.
Mirror, Wood, Cherry
Antique Biggs Federal Parcel Gilt Mahogany Three Panel Overmantel Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Biggs Federal Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Three Panel Over mantel Wall Mirror. Item features a horizontally oriented three-panel mahogany over mantel mirror with scrolling ped...
Mirror, Mahogany
Early 19th-C. Federal Style Faux Tortoise Eglomise Trumeau Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful piece! Firstly, it should be noted that it may even be as early as the later part of the 18th century. Note the simplicity of the trumeau that depicts a single pi...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Selection of Bullseye Gilt Convex Mirrors 21" Diameter 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of gilt bullseye convex mirrors, American, 20th century. The larger mirror measures 22.5" diameter x 1" depth. The glass measures 17". The smaller mirror measures 20.75" di...
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Continental Style Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Continental Style Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror. Measures 19" in width 34.5" in height.
Mahogany, Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century American Federal Giltwood Wall Mirror with Eagle Pediment
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal style (20th Century) large carved giltwood wall mirror with carved eagle pediment, scroll detail, and two decorative columns featuring five-pointed stars.
Giltwood
Gilt Gesso c1950s 28x24 Rectangle Wall Decorative Mirror MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Gilt Gesso c1950s 28x24 Rectangle Wall Decorative Mirror MINT!
Gesso
19th Century American Giltwood Wall Mirror with Eagle Pediment
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal (19th Century) rectangular giltwood wall mirror surmounted on a stepped platform with a carved gilt eagle holding metal chain swags over an an egg and dart design f...
Giltwood
Federal Style Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A Federal Style Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror in great vintage condition. Measures 21" in width and 44" in height
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
American Federal Convex Giltwood Wall Mirror with Eagle Pediment
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal convex giltwood wall mirror with ball design, fluted ebonized border, and eagle pediment top.
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Mahogany Églomisé Barley Twist and Acorn Wall Mirror, C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
American federal mahogany églomisé wall mirror with decorative carved acorn and barley twist motif. Mirror retains the original looking glass and wood backing, Early 19th century.
Mirror, Mahogany, Pine, Paint
Cochrane Furniture Federal Style Cherry Trifold Beveled Mirror
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a beautiful cherry wood trifold mirror. It's made by Cochrane Furniture. The motifs are nicely carved and a piano hinge connects the 3 secti...
Mirror, Cherry
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
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
19th Century Federal Guild Gold Framed Wall Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
A simply stunning and sweet 19th century Federal guild gold framed wall mirror. This finely gilt wall mirror has a reverse painting of two love...
19th Century American Federal Eglomise Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
Period American Federal Mirror. Giltwood and Eglomise in Neoclassical Style. Original gilding. Wonderful Urn Pediment. Ex New England Colle...
Glass, 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
Federal Style Carved Giltwood Wall / Console / Pier Mirror, Over Mantle , 1900s
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Federal Style Carved Giltwood Wall / console / Pier mirror, 1900s A finely carved versatile mirror that can be used on the floor or over the mantle, console or hanging on ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Gilt Carved Wall, Console or Table Mirror with High Open Fleur-de-Lis Pediment
Located in Stamford, CT
Gilt carved mirror with high open Fleur-de-Lis pediment and oval etched mirror panel of a young lady in full dress.
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century Federal Eglomise Decorated Wall or Table Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century federal eglomise decorated wall or table mirror having a wonderfully gilt decorated frame under an eglomise glass panel depicting a baske...
Mirror, Wood
19th C. Mirror American Wood Carved Federal
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Early wood carved Federal mirror. This would be a wonderful addition to your decor. Please be sure to check our storefront for more wonderful decorating pieces that range from Primit...
Wood
Federal Style Circular Mirror, Giltwood Wall / Pier / Vanity
Located in Stamford, CT
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
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