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.
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 Century Federal Eglomise Wall or Table Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
A finely detailed Eglomise decorated wall or table mirror having a glass eglomise panel of a young girl in a wooded area flanked in a Fine gilt frame reminiscent of the time of manuf...
Mirror, Wood
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...
Maguire Hand-Crafted Bamboo Wall Mirror, 20th Century, USA
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Very nice mirror , artistically hand crafted from natural bamboo , great decorative addition to any room .
Bamboo, Glass
18th Century Italian Baroque Period Giltwood Mirror
Located in Forney, TX
This exceptionally carved Baroque period Italian mirrored mercury glass giltwood wall hanging / mantel mirror captures the reason why we love Eur...
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
$9,800
H 29.5 in W 19.25 in D 3.5 in
American Classical Eglomise Gilt Mirror with Rope and Medallion Carvings C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
American Classical gilt carved wood eglomise mirror with decorative sphere, medallion, and rope carvings, and painted eglomise of American frigate ships at war...
Glass, Giltwood, Paint
Italian Neoclassical Gilt Acanthus Foliage Wall Mirror, 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Neoclassical gilt carved wood and gesso wall mirror with scrolled acanthus foliage motif. Mirror retains the original looking glass. 18th century
Giltwood, Mirror, Gesso
$750
H 33.5 in W 20.25 in D 1.5 in
Moroccan Bohemian Style White and Gold Arch Shape Wall, Table or Vanity Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Bohemian style Moroccan wall, table or vanity mirror. The mirror frame is hand carved in a timeless Moorish arch shape and artistically hand-pai...
Wood, Paint
19th Century Carved Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive late 19th Century Empire carved giltwood Mahogany wall Mirror, Circa 1890s. Measures 49.5" in width, 4" in depth and stands 33" in height.
Mahogany, Giltwood
$2,250 / set
H 36.5 in W 27.5 in D 3 in
Brutalist Style Silver with Brass & Stones Inlay Console or Wall Mirror, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
A stunning pair of Brutalist style silver wall or console mirrors. The pair of handmade brutalist mirrors features a refined filigree design ornate with blue and red natural stones. ...
Silver, Brass
Italian Carved Wood and Gold Gilt Wall Mirror, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian carved wood and gold gilt wall mirror with centered urn, foliage and fruit motif. Mirror retains the original glass and wood backing. Late 18th Century
$4,200
H 32.5 in W 17 in D 3.25 in
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
$1,995
H 47.25 in W 21.5 in D 1 in
American Federal Style Vertical Trumeau wall mirror w/ Eglomise Reverse Painting
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century American Federal Style Vertical Trumeau wall mirror with eglomise reverse painting under glass panel depicting a pastoral s...
Mirror
Federal Style Gilded Carved Wood Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Federal Style Gilded Carved Wood Mirror, 19th Century Carved wood American Federal style parcel-gilt wall mirror featuring a broken scroll ...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
19th C. Federal Style Gilt Wood Mirror w/ Eagle & Cornucopias
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
19th century federal style mirror, hand carved and intact, two cornucopias filled flanking either side of the eagle. Classic design element of the federal period (much like the convex mirror but without the distorted mirror)
Plaster
Antique Federal Period Drop Center Shaving Mirror c. Early 19th Century
Located in Westfield, MA
This handsome Federal period drop center shaving mirror, dating to the early 19th century, reflects both the refinement and practicality of early American design. Crafted in rich mah...
Mahogany
Sold
H 25 in W 30 in D 12 in
Oversized Antique Federal Flame Mahogany & Banded Inlay Table Top Mirror, c1830
Located in Big Flats, NY
An oversized antique Federal table top dressing or shaving mirror offers oval swivel mirror with flanking scroll form supports surmounting triple...
Mirror, Mahogany, Satinwood
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...