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.
Pair Federal Mahogany Upholstered Armchairs Attrib. to Ephraim Haines, C. 1805s
By Ephraim Haines and Henry Connelly
Located in Germantown, MD
A Fine and Rare Pair of Federal Carved Mahogany Armchairs. Finely carved, stained and Upholstered. Newer upholstery. Attributed to Ephraim Haines (1775-1837) and Henry Connelly (1770...
Hardwood, Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair Hickory Chair Federal Style Mahogany & Inlay Upholstered Mahogany Armchairs
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Hickory Chair Furniture Federal Style Upholstered Mahogany Armchairs in great vintage condition. Measures 25" in width, 25" in depth, 36" in height, 18" seat height. Arm heig...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Tall Tan Leather Wing Chairs on Solid Mahogany Stretcher Base Mint!
By Baker Furniture Company, Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of tall tan leather wing chairs on solid mahogany stretcher base mint!
Brass
Pair of Deep Profile Antique Wing Arm Chairs Mahogany Legs Federal Style
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Deep Profile Antique Wing arm chairs mahogany legs Federal Style.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair Mid-Century Century Red Oak Pressback Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Mid-Century Century Red Oak Pressback Armchairs. Great vintage condition Measures 24" in width, 22" in depth and 43" in height. Seat height is 18"
Oak
Baker Furniture Style Federal Carved Mahogany Shield Back Armchairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Federal or Hepplewhite style shield back armchairs or dining captain chairs In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, Circa Late 20th Century Solid carved mahogany ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Mahogany and Upholstered Armchair Desk Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Mahogany and Upholstered Armchair Desk Chair Measures 25.5" in width, 23" in depth and 44.5" in height. Seat height is 20" and arm height is 27.5". ...
Mahogany
Pair of Late 20th Century Bernhardt Maple and Cherry Upholstered Armchairs
By Bernhardt
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Late 20th Century Bernhardt Maple, Cherry and Upholstered Armchairs Measures 21" in width, 24" in depth and 32" in height. Seat height 18. Arm height 25.5". Seat Interior...
Upholstery, Cherry, Maple
American Federal Mahogany “Martha Washington” Lolling Armchair ca. 1800
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID-MAHOGANY LOLLING "MARTHA WASHINGTON" ARMCHAIR Massachusetts, ca. 1780-1800 purchased from Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc. of New York in 1966 Item # 401JNI25P...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$3,016Sale Price|24% Off
H 40.56 in W 27.56 in D 28.35 in
Guillerme et Chambron Oak Mid-Century French Armchair
Located in London, GB
A petite mid-century armchair. France, c1960s. By Guillerme et Chambron. Original upholstery is worn so wants updating, priced accordingly, which allows a fabric and styl...
Oak
Pair of Mid-Century Oak and Rush French Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A pair of mid 20th armchairs or occasional chairs. France, c1950s. Rush and oak,. Good condition, some wear commensurate with age. Price is for the pair. Location...
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Red Velvet Lounge Chairs or Armchairs
Located in Rome, IT
Very comfortable pair tulip shape red velvet of armchairs with scrolled hand holds . Soft and beautiful original vintage red velvet upholstery. The conical legs are in original con...
Wood
$4,061 / set
H 27.56 in W 43.12 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Lovely Vintage Oxblood Leather Chesterfield Gentleman's Club Armchairs
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this pair of stunning vintage Oxblood leather Chesterfield Club armchairs which are part of a suite These are part of a suite as mentioned A ...
Leather
$770Sale Price|30% Off
H 33 in W 24 in D 25 in
Hickory Chair Co. Louis XVI French Directoire Mahogany Green Fauteuil Armchair
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Hickory Chair Company Louis XVI French Directoire / Neoclassical style arm chair. Made of mahogany featuring fauteuil arms with corner rosettes and tapered fluted legs with ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Two Pairs of French Mid-Century Rush Oak Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A pair of rush and oak armchairs. Two pairs available. France, c1950s. Low slung with great stance, they can be softened with a thin cushion or sheepskin. Some wear to th...
Wood
$1,644Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 33.47 in W 22.45 in D 21.66 in
Pair of Mid Century Oak Bobbin Wood Armchairs C1950s France
Located in Trensacq, FR
A great pair of oak bobbin wood armchairs from mid-century France C1950. An unusual duo of beautifully turned and carved, medium oak chairs in the style of Charles Dudouyt//Atelier G...
Oak
1960s Czech Upholstered Armchairs, a Pair
Located in High Point, NC
Light and stylish, this pair of Mid-Century armchairs showcase the sophistication of Central European Modernist design. Built in Czechia in the 1960s, the clean angles of the tapered...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$2,850
H 41 in W 26.5 in D 19.5 in
Antique English Mahogany Upholstered Gainsborough Armchair in Chippendale Style
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Fabulous Antique English Hand-carved Mahogany Upholstered Gainsborough Armchair in Chippendale Style 26 1/2" H (at knees) Finely hand carved at the arms and on cabriole ball and cl...
Fabric, Mahogany
Fritz Hansen Model 1672 Sheepskin Wing Chair, 1940s
By Fritz Hansen
Located in London, England
Fritz Hansen - Model 1672 Wing Chair A large wing chair produced in Denmark in the 1940s by manufacturers Fritz Hansen. The square beech wood legs have been stained and oiled and th...
Sheepskin, Beech
$94Sale Price|84% Off
H 38.75 in W 24.5 in D 22.25 in
Chippendale Style Mahogany Slat Back Armchair with Upholstered Seat Cushion
Located in Miami, FL
Chippendale style mahogany slat back armchair with upholstered seat cushion Offered for sale is a Chippendale style mahogany armchair with a slat...
Metal
Early 19th Century George III Wing Chair
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century George III mahogany upholstered wing chair, the shaped back with outscrolled wings raised above padded arms with reeded terminals with flower head motif raised ove...
Mahogany
Vintage Theodore Alexander Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Vintage Theodore Alexander Mahogany Arm Chair. Featuring a shield back design, two curved arms, a federal Hepplewhite style leg, accent carvings, original decor...
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Sold
H 41 in W 30 in D 26 in
2 Vintage American Federal Style Mahogany Martha Washington Lolling Arm Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of 20th Century Federal Style Martha Washington Lolling armchairs. Reminiscent of the Gainsborough chair that was made in England in the 18th century. Made of mahogany featuri...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Federal Mahogany Upholstered Lolling Chair, circa 1785
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Federal mahogany lolling chair with fresh red satin upholstery featuring gold wheat accent pattern, circa 1785. Provenance: Bernard & S. Dean Levy...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany Wing Arm Chair circa 1820
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Sheraton Federal style wing back fire side chair offers shaped back, scroll form arms and is raised on turned mahogany legs, c1820 Measures- 44.5''H x 29.25''W x 27''D;...
Mahogany, Upholstery
Sold
H 50.5 in W 33 in D 27 in
Vintage Tall Wingback Reading Chair with Elegant Scalamandre Paisley Upholstery
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning vintage tall wingback chair as it stands taller than most. Recently upholstered in a luxurious Scalamandre paisley fabric which is a showstopper. A great chair to read in or...
Fabric, Textile, Mahogany
Sold
H 33 in W 21.5 in D 21.5 in
Federal Mahogany Armchairs Armchairs Newly Upholstered in Leopard Fabric
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant pair of matching mahogany federal style arm chairs newly upholstered in leopard fabric. All dimensions are below. Impeccable craftsman...
Fabric, Mahogany
Ebonized Sack Back Windsor
Located in Chireno, TX
Ebonized sack back Windsor armchair constructed in ash and pine circa 1790-1810 in Rhode Island. Remnants of original (or early) black paint are natu...
Ash, Pine
Kittiinger Black Leather Cane Chair with Ottoman
By Kittinger
Located in West Hartford, CT
Vintage 1950s rare Kittinger Furniture black leather chair that features caning and caster wheels. Made in the USA and still in great condition, especially given its age. That said, ...
Brass
Sold
H 40 in W 23 in D 18.25 in
Set of Six American Mahogany Shield Back Dining Room Chairs, N.Y, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Set of six American mahogany shield back dining room chairs with carved molded edges, foliage fan carvings, flanking swag tassels, flora...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Knuckle Arm Windsor Chair
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A federal period bow back windsor armchair with a Classic saddle form seat, turned legs and arm supports.
Classy Pair of Federal Style Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of Federal style chairs without swept arms and bulbous reeded front legs, newly upholstered in white linen with brass tack trim. Wood is prob...
Fabric, Mahogany
Vintage Carlyle Hotel Library Federal Armchairs (Pair)
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of Vintage Library Chairs from the Carlyle Hotel, newly upholstered in Romo upholstery fabric and refinished in antique white.
Upholstery, Wood