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.
Zabihi Collection beige Blue Color Pictorial Antique Chinese Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th-century Chinese Peking carpet with an animal motif in beige and blue circa 1910, measures: 3' x 5'8".
Wool
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Persian Azerbaijan Runner with Modern Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75381, antique Persian Azerbaijan runner with Modern Federal style. With its clean lines and subtle use of ornament, this hand knotted wool antique Persian Azerbaijan runner beautifu...
Wool
$6,399Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Persian Tabriz Palace Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75593 vintage Persian Tabriz Palace rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal style. This hand knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug features an al...
Wool
White Blue Color Pictorial Antique Chinese Oriental Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mid20th-century Chinese Peking carpet with an animal motif in white and blue circa 1950, measures: 3'1' x 5'8".
Wool
Turkish President Ataturk Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mid-20th century turkish sivas rug with the former president Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Measures: 4'4'' x7' Mustafa Kemal Atatürk;[b] c. 1881[c] – 1...
Wool
Zabihi Collection White Blue Color Vintage Chinese Rug
Located in New York, NY
A 3rd quarter of the 20th century Chinese rug in white and blue Details rug no. j3396 size 5' 6" x 7' 10" (168 x 239 cm)
Wool
$799Sale Price|20% Off
New Contemporary Transitional Oushak Accent Rug with Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
80388 Contemporary Transitional Oushak Accent Rug with Federal Style. Blending a Federal style and elements from the modern world, this hand knotted wool contemporary transitional Ou...
Wool
$16,000Sale Price|20% Off
Zabihi Collection Stunning Room Size Traditional Rust Multiple Abrash Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Beautifl abrashes highlight this early 20th century Antique Persian Sarouk Ferehan. Rust Background with pretty shades in predominant blue and brown accents Measures: 8'7'' x 11'7...
Wool
Jewel Tone Fine Quality Antique Persian Malayer Narrow Horizontal Woven Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century horizontally handwoven Persian Malayer rug with a green field, accents in red and gold Measures: 1'7" x 4'3".
Wool
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
74331 Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style. This hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug features an all-over geometric floral pattern com...
Wool
$7,199Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Persian Shiraz Afghani Rug with Modern Colonial and Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76878, vintage Persian Shiraz Afghani rug with modern colonial and federal style 11'09 x 16'03. Traditional and regal with brilliant color, this hand-knott...
Wool
Distressed Antique Persian Joshegan Rug, 10'11 x 12'10
Located in Dallas, TX
52558 Antique Persian Joshegan Rug, 10'11 x 12'10. Antique-washed Persian Joshegan rugs refer to rugs that have undergone a washing process to give them an aged or antique appearance...
Wool
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rug with Federal American Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
73283, antique Persian Bakhtiari rug with Federal American Colonial style. With a timeless botanical pattern and naturalistic design elements, this han...
Wool
$15,920Sale Price|20% Off
Distressed Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Relaxed Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77216, Distressed Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Relaxed Federal Style. Regal hues, intricate details, and all-over symmetry create a neocl...
Wool
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Persian Tabriz Rug with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75511 Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style. This hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug features an allover pattern with geometric motifs...
Wool
$199Sale Price|20% Off
Green Persian Mahal Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th century Persian Mahal rug. 15'' x 18''
Wool
$7,120Sale Price|20% Off
New Contemporary Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern American Colonial Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
52429 New Contemporary Turkish Oushak rug with Modern American Colonial Federal style. Blending a Federal style and elements from the modern world, this hand knotted wool contemporary Turkish Oushak rug beautifully balances new and old. It features an all-over geometric pattern composed of rectilinear and curvilinear vines, curved sickle leaves, rosette sprigs, and organic shapes filled with cruciform motifs. These spirited additions to the rug’s design blend a modern look, Federal style, and contemporary elements. It is enclosed with a wide Samovar Herat style border flanked with inner and outer Meander guard bands. A great additional to nearly any bedroom, living room, dining room, front room, great room, state room, private Chambers, drawing room, music room, sunroom, family room, studio, study, loft, lounge, office, or grand sitting room. Well-suited for a variety of interior styles: Federal, American Colonial, Cape Cod Cottage, Nantucket Beach, The Hamptons, Martha's Vineyard, Contemporary, Modern, Transitional, Abstract, Nautical, Beach House, Coastal Cottage, Lakefront, Seaside Sanctuary, or Lake Front Vacation Home. Rendered in variegated shades of paprika, tandoori Marsala, cayenne, burnt orange, terra cotta, brick red, light yellow, beige, muted orange, Glaucous, bluish-gray, and with accents of celadon and rose-peach. Complementary SW Colors and Hues: Hearty Orange, Full Moon, Stardew, Chinese Red, Irish Cream...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Antique Persian Ferehan Runner
Located in New York, NY
An authentic handmade antique Persian Ferehan runner. 3'5'' x 8'2'' Designed for a regional aristocratic clientele, the Ferahan region of West Central Persia developed a distinctiv...
Wool
$425
H 11 in W 8.5 in D 0.75 in
T. Y. Chao Private & Family Trust Collections of Important Chinese Ceramic, Rare
Located in valatie, NY
Sotheby's: The T. Y. Chao Private and Family Trust Collections of Important Chinese Ceramics and Jade Carvings: Part 1, Hong Kong October 1986. Rare First Edition hardcover with dust...
Paper
Chinese Antique Dark Blue Glazed Pedestal Stand with Raised Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese antique dark blue glazed pedestal stand with raised motifs. Boasting a lovely dark blue glazed patina, this plant stand features a circular top pierced with small geometric...
Ceramic
Chinese Canton Blue and White Porcelain Plater B-004
Located in Norton, MA
Beautiful and rare flower shape Canton B & W porcelain platter. Dimension: Size: 19.8 cm x 26 cm.
Porcelain
Chinese Canton Blue and White Porcelain Plater
Located in Norton, MA
Beautiful and rare boat shape Canton B & W porcelain platter. Dimension: size: 15.5 cm x 19 cm. Condition: excellent condition, no damage.
Porcelain
$1,752
H 11.82 in Dm 13 in
Antique Large Oriental Japanese Chinese Bronze Champleve Enamel Jardiniere Meiji
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique large quality Oriental Japanese chinese bronze champleve enamel Jardiniere planter bowl C1920. Would look amazing in the right location. Rare la...
Bronze
Vintage Turkish Oushak Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Turkish Oushak carpet from the second quarter of the 20th century. Measures: 7' 3" x 8' 8"
Wool
Distressed and Overdyed Handmade Persian Tabriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
This 21st century creation consists of an antique Persian Tabriz rug handmade during the early 20th century that was scraped and overdyed to produce a distressed appeal. Although the...
Wool
Antique Persian Tabriz Autumn Style Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Persian Tabriz rug in earth tones with an autumn-like motif.
Wool
$6,116Sale Price|20% Off
W 48.04 in L 68.51 in
Antique Rugs Pure Silk Rugs, Turkish Rugs Oriental Handmade Carpet from Turkey
Located in Wembley, GB
This is an example of handmade carpet finely hand-knotted vintage rugs from Central Anatolia with a Classic all-over floral rug design of small patterns. The high-quality wool pile on a strong silk foundation and excellent original condition let this deep purple rug...
Silk, Organic Material
Art Deco Oriental Chest, Carved Camphor Wood, Chinese Export, 1920
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Art Deco Oriental Carved camphor wood chest This Beautiful Carved Chest is made from Camphor Wood, for those of you who do not ...
Fruitwood
Antique Qing Dynasty Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Censer
Located in Brea, CA
Qing dynasty Kang XI blue and white Chinese porcelain censer with a design of "Antiques" and auspicious objects, the base in clear glaze and the mouth...
Porcelain
Distressed Antique Persian Heriz Style Rug with Rustic Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
52635, distressed antique Persian Heriz style rug with Rustic Federal style. With timeless appeal, refined colors, and architectural design elements, this hand knotted wool distresse...
Wool
Vintage Persian Mashhad Area Rug with Modern Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75592 Vintage Persian Mashhad Rug, 09'10 x 12'07. Hailing from the northeastern city of Mashhad in Iran, Mashhad rugs stand as epitomes of exquisite artistry and craftsmanship. These revered creations are celebrated for their intricate designs and impeccable detailing. Adorned with elaborate motifs like central medallions embellished with arabesques and palmettes, Mashhad rugs boast a luxurious color palette drawn from nature's bounty, featuring deep reds, blues, and ivories. The lush floral patterns that grace the field, inspired by iconic Persian motifs such as the Shah Abbasi and Herati, narrate tales of tradition and heritage. Adding to their allure are Baroque elements, including captivating corner spandrels, which infuse these rugs with a regal touch. With their timeless elegance and profound cultural significance, Mashhad rugs serve as quintessential embodiments of Iran's rich rug-making legacy, cherished by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide for their unrivaled beauty and historical resonance. Envisioned with intricate detailing and a refined design sensibility, this hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Mashhad area rug is a true embodiment of woven elegance. Its traditional allure lies in the captivating array of botanical motifs that adorn its surface—a mesmerizing canvas of blooming palmettes, curved sickle leaves, star flowers, leafy tendrils, arabesque vines, rosettes, lotus blossoms, Peony, and Irish flowers...
Wool
Antique Persian Mahal Area Rug with Federal and American Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
73333 Antique Persian Mahal Area Rug with Federal and American Colonial Style 09'03 X 12'00. Displaying intricate details and well-balanced symmetry, this hand knotted wool antique P...
Wool
Midcentury Handmade United States Naval Academy Rug in Navy Blue
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Chinese Art Deco style rug handmade during the mid-20th century commemorating the United States Naval Academy. The pictorial design showcases t...
Wool
Vintage Persian Mashad Area Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76363 Vintage Persian Mashhad Area Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style. With timeless design and beguiling ambiance, this hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Mashhad beautifully embodies a traditional Colonial style with Modern Federal vibes. It features an all-over floral pattern composed of an array of flowers, serrated leaves, feathers, palmettes and a labyrinth of vines floating in a sea of saturated burgundy-red. The Persian Mashhad rug...
Wool
Antique Persian Mahal Rug with Traditional Federal and American Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76710 Antique Persian Mahal Rug with Traditional Federal and American Colonial Style 10'02 x 14'04. Balancing traditional sensibility with a timeless floral design, this hand-knotted...
Wool
Mohtasham Kashan Border Rug Pillow in Soft Blue
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a Mohtasham Kashan rug.
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Blue Formal Traditional Antique Persian Tabriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Room size antique Persian Tabriz rug. Blue Field Red Border 8'10'' x 11'5''
Wool
Green Persian Mahal Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th century Persian Mahal rug.
Wool
Vintage Persian Mahal Rug with Modern Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
76247 Vintage Persian Mahal Rug with Modern Federal Style 07'04 x 10'10. This hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Mahal rug features a lively all-over botanical pattern known as the co...
Wool
Antique Heriz Persian Palace Size Rug with Federal and American Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
73952 Antique Heriz Persian Palace Size Rug with Federal and American Colonial Style. Traditional and regal with brilliant color, this antique Persian Heriz palace size rug features ...
Wool