Federal Table Mirrors
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.
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Table Mirrors
Wood, Mirror
1890s Antique Federal Table Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Antique Federal Table Mirrors
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Federal Table Mirrors
Mirror
Early 1900s German Antique Federal Table Mirrors
Porcelain, Glass, Mirror, Paint
18th Century French Antique Federal Table Mirrors
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Federal Table Mirrors
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Federal Table Mirrors
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Federal Table Mirrors
Mid-20th Century Danish Federal Table Mirrors
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Federal Table Mirrors
Mirror
Early 20th Century European Federal Table Mirrors
Mirror, Nutwood
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Federal Table Mirrors
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Table Mirrors
Giltwood
19th Century American Antique Federal Table Mirrors
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century American Antique Federal Table Mirrors
Mirror, Mahogany, Satinwood