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Federal Children's Furniture

FEDERAL STYLE

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.

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Style: Federal
American Federal Child's Trunk Leather Covered with Brass Tacks
Located in Wells, ME
American federal child's trunk, black leather covering with natural colored leather bindings and brass tack decoration.  This early trunk has remnants of its original  blue colored p...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Brass

American Federal Child's Trunk Leather Covered with Brass Tacks
American Federal Child's Trunk Leather Covered with Brass Tacks

American Federal Child's Trunk Leather Covered with Brass Tacks

Rare Child's Camphor Wood Chest, Leather Bound and Brass Embellished
Located in Essex, MA
Early 19th century child's camphor wood chest --Original black leather binding and brass tacks.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Child's Camphor Wood Chest, Leather Bound and Brass Embellished
Rare Child's Camphor Wood Chest, Leather Bound and Brass Embellished

Rare Child's Camphor Wood Chest, Leather Bound and Brass Embellished

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Mid-19th Century Child’s Grain Painted Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-19th century Benchmade child’s grain painted Miniature chest of drawers. A country piece in the American Empire style, with a step-back drawer and backsplash, above the case with...
Category

Mid-19th Century North American Antique Federal Children's Furniture

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Wood

Mid-19th Century Child’s Grain Painted Miniature Chest of Drawers
Mid-19th Century Child’s Grain Painted Miniature Chest of Drawers

Mid-19th Century Child’s Grain Painted Miniature Chest of Drawers

H 20.75 in W 17.5 in D 8 in
Chinese Camphor Wood Sailor's Large Brass-Bound Sea or Campaign Chest & Lock
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Sailor's Large Brass-bound Camphor Wood Sea or Campaign Chest, Mid-19th Century. A large rectangular dramatic campaign or sailor's trunk lined with Camphor wood and with interior inset drawer, the exterior with brass corners and clasp. There is the original Chinese lock...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Federal Children's Furniture

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Wood

Chinese Camphor Wood Sailor's Large Brass-Bound Sea or Campaign Chest & Lock
Chinese Camphor Wood Sailor's Large Brass-Bound Sea or Campaign Chest & Lock

Chinese Camphor Wood Sailor's Large Brass-Bound Sea or Campaign Chest & Lock

H 21 in W 40.5 in D 20.5 in
Rare and Original Antique Bentwood Thonet Child's Chair 19th Century Furniture
By Thonet
Located in Lisse, NL
Marked and original children's chair, the 'Kindersessel nr 1.' This 19th century Thonet chair for a child dates from circa 1860-1880 and the name Thonet needs no further introduction. This rare piece is in excellent and original condition. It is as stable as the day it was hand-crafted and the undamaged upholstery is almost certainly original too. The stunning seat with its beautiful pattern and colors is either filled with straw or with horse's hair. This small and rare Thonet chair...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bentwood

Rare and Original Antique Bentwood Thonet Child's Chair 19th Century Furniture
Rare and Original Antique Bentwood Thonet Child's Chair 19th Century Furniture

Rare and Original Antique Bentwood Thonet Child's Chair 19th Century Furniture

Free Shipping
H 23.5 in W 12 in D 15 in
Chippendale Style Child's Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Miniature Chinese Chippendale style child's chair with Ralph Lauren fabric seat cushion.
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20th Century Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Chippendale Style Child's Chair
Chippendale Style Child's Chair

Chippendale Style Child's Chair

H 20 in W 12.5 in D 13 in
English Child's Chair with Rush Seat
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English child's chair from the 19th century, featuring a handsomely patinated fruitwood frame with splat back and rush seat.
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19th Century English Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood, Rush, Wood

English Child's Chair with Rush Seat
English Child's Chair with Rush Seat

English Child's Chair with Rush Seat

H 28.75 in W 17.75 in D 14.5 in
French Wicker Child's Chair
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 20th century French child's chair with rattan frame and woven wicker seat and back. Good craftsmanship with pink and blue rattan woven in a plaid pattern. Circa 1900-1920 Di...
Category

Early 20th Century French Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Wicker

French Wicker Child's Chair
French Wicker Child's Chair

French Wicker Child's Chair

H 19.5 in W 15 in D 15 in
Edison Little Folks Child's Dresser/ Armoir
By Thomas Edison
Located in Highland, IN
This lovely little child's armoire in maple by Edison Little Folks has handsome deco style detailing and is highly functional with a bank of four drawers ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Metal

Edison Little Folks Child's Dresser/ Armoir
Edison Little Folks Child's Dresser/ Armoir

Edison Little Folks Child's Dresser/ Armoir

H 44.5 in W 38 in D 18 in
American Rustic Pine Child's High Chair with Rush Seat, Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An American rustic pine child's high chair from the early 20th century with rush seat. Experience the warmth and nostalgia of early American craftsmanship with this rustic pine child...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Rush, Pine

American Rustic Pine Child's High Chair with Rush Seat, Early 20th Century
American Rustic Pine Child's High Chair with Rush Seat, Early 20th Century

American Rustic Pine Child's High Chair with Rush Seat, Early 20th Century

H 36 in W 14 in D 14.5 in
19th Century Diminutive French Provincial Child’s Chest of Drawers
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th century Diminutive French Provincial Child’s chest of drawers This child’s Baroque style French country chest of drawers has a finely ser...
Category

19th Century French Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Diminutive French Provincial Child’s Chest of Drawers
19th Century Diminutive French Provincial Child’s Chest of Drawers

19th Century Diminutive French Provincial Child’s Chest of Drawers

H 22 in W 30 in D 17.5 in
Antique Victorian Small Child's Maple Wood Platform Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian Small Child's Maple Wood Platform Rocker Rocking Chair. Item features floral tapestry upholstery, platform spring rocke...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Tapestry, Maple

Antique Victorian Small Child's Maple Wood Platform Rocker Rocking Chair
Antique Victorian Small Child's Maple Wood Platform Rocker Rocking Chair

Antique Victorian Small Child's Maple Wood Platform Rocker Rocking Chair

H 25.5 in W 15.25 in D 19 in
Antique American Ladder Back Child's Chair with Woven Seat
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wooden child's chair attributed to F.A. Sinclair of Mottville, NY. Estimated to be 19th century. Medium brown finish on chair and seat. Features include a ladder-back design, bal...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Cane, Wood

Antique American Ladder Back Child's Chair with Woven Seat
Antique American Ladder Back Child's Chair with Woven Seat

Antique American Ladder Back Child's Chair with Woven Seat

H 26.5 in W 15.25 in D 11.5 in
Antique Child’s Chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique child’s chair of Thonet. Elegant bent wood frame with hooped legs. The caning on the seat and back is in great condition for it’s age. Di...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Cane

Antique Child’s Chair by Thonet
Antique Child’s Chair by Thonet

Antique Child’s Chair by Thonet

H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 12.6 in
Previously Available Items
Late Federal Miniature Cherry Chest of Drawers Circa 1825
Located in Hallowell, US
Bought from a private collection, this miniature child's chest was found in North Carolina, yellow pine secondary wood, three graduated doors with turned handles and feet. Two small ...
Category

Early 18th Century American Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Late Federal Miniature Cherry Chest of Drawers Circa 1825
Late Federal Miniature Cherry Chest of Drawers Circa 1825

Late Federal Miniature Cherry Chest of Drawers Circa 1825

H 15.5 in W 17 in D 10 in
Federal Black and Rd Painted Miniature Chest, Maine, circa 1830
Located in Hallowell, US
Rare miniature chest, from New England, likely the state of Maine with red and black painted decoration. 12.5" wide, 7.5" deep, 15.5" high. Bought with a small dressing mirror...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Federal Black and Rd Painted Miniature Chest, Maine, circa 1830
Federal Black and Rd Painted Miniature Chest, Maine, circa 1830

Federal Black and Rd Painted Miniature Chest, Maine, circa 1830

H 15.5 in W 12.5 in D 7.5 in
American Late Federal/Early Sheraton Drop-Leaf Child's Table, circa 1820
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is best of this type of antique 19th century American Federal or Sheraton child's table. The table was created circa 1820-1830 of figured maple in the Classic late Federal or Sh...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Children's Furniture

Materials

Maple

American Late Federal/Early Sheraton Drop-Leaf Child's Table, circa 1820
American Late Federal/Early Sheraton Drop-Leaf Child's Table, circa 1820

American Late Federal/Early Sheraton Drop-Leaf Child's Table, circa 1820

H 20 in W 35 in D 16 in

Federal children's furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal children's furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage children's furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with animal skin, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal children's furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for children's furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $550 and tops out at $1,600 while the average work can sell for $1,075.

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