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Federal Benches

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
Antique Federal Style Carved Gilt Swan And Eagle Carousel Mohair Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Federal Style Carved Gold Gilt Swan and Eagle Carousel Bench Newly Reupholstered in a Blue Mohair Seat Antique Federal Style carved wood gold gilt swan and eagle carousel be...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Benches

Materials

Giltwood

Antique Federal Style Carved Gilt Swan And Eagle Carousel Mohair Bench
Antique Federal Style Carved Gilt Swan And Eagle Carousel Mohair Bench

Antique Federal Style Carved Gilt Swan And Eagle Carousel Mohair Bench

Early 20th Century Regency Carved Mahogany And Upholstered Settee
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Regency Carved mahogany and Upholstered settee. It measures 40.75" in width, 23" in depth and stands 37.5" tall, with a seat height of 16". Arm height is 24", seat...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Early 20th Century Regency Carved Mahogany And Upholstered Settee
Early 20th Century Regency Carved Mahogany And Upholstered Settee

Early 20th Century Regency Carved Mahogany And Upholstered Settee

Neoclassic Adam Federal Style Window Bench as Found
Located in New York, NY
Nice Adam (Federal) style bench with tapestry fabric top (worn). This example will need to be reupholstered, it is structurally sound and sturdy, a...
Category

Early 20th Century Federal Benches

Neoclassic Adam Federal Style Window Bench as Found
Neoclassic Adam Federal Style Window Bench as Found

Neoclassic Adam Federal Style Window Bench as Found

Vintage Federal Style Extra Long Hall Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Federal Style Extra Long Hall Bench An elegant vintage federal style carved wood frame triple hall bench with 10 legs. This hall bench is being sold in its original conditi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Vintage Federal Style Extra Long Hall Bench
Vintage Federal Style Extra Long Hall Bench

Vintage Federal Style Extra Long Hall Bench

19th Century Federal Painted Bench
Located in Nashville, TN
Bench has arrow shaped splats. Slightly reduced in length. Original condition.
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Benches

Materials

Wood

19th Century Federal Painted Bench
19th Century Federal Painted Bench

19th Century Federal Painted Bench

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19th Century Swedish Painted Hall Bench, Trundle Bed
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Iron Window Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Double bench with strong metal frame and upholstered cushion seat. Please confirm location NY or NJ
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Iron

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Iron Window Bench

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H 22.5 in W 66 in D 14 in
Empire Style Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Hall Bench
Located in Stamford, CT
Empire style parcel-gilt mahogany hall bench, early 20th century.
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Antique English Jacobean Style Carved Oak Joint Bench Stool
Located in London, GB
Antique English Jacobean style carved oak joint bench stool circa 1920 A good size piece. Of good solid construction. Expected signs of wear to plank top, commensurate of age, ol...
Category

Early 20th Century English Federal Benches

Materials

Oak

Antique English Jacobean Style Carved Oak Joint Bench Stool
Antique English Jacobean Style Carved Oak Joint Bench Stool

Antique English Jacobean Style Carved Oak Joint Bench Stool

H 12.21 in W 36.23 in D 11.82 in
19th Century Bench
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century Chinese bench. A special black lacquered antique Elm wood bench circa 1800. A waisted (refers to specific Chinese furniture construction & joinery) raised top set on frame with hump back stretchers and struts. A most sensational patina of black lacquer worn through to the wood showcases the benches elegant presence and raw beauty. This is an original piece with a 200 plus year history. The raw top is worn silk like smooth from age and use. The reaming black lacquer is thick having an alligatored rustic patina. The construction is solid and strong. Feet having scroll key detail carved to faces with wear prevalent to the bottom of the feet. The humpback struts show ware from one side being more evident then on the other side, more lacquer remains covering one strut. A very significant Antique Chinese Bench...
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Early 1800s Chinese Antique Federal Benches

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Elm

19th Century Bench
19th Century Bench

19th Century Bench

H 19.5 in W 62.5 in D 12 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bermuda Bench as Found Condition
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Ferndale, MI
Edward Wormley design for Dunbar furniture of Berne Indiana. Elegant design rectangular bench on tall taper legs with high sides. I am offering the bench in solid and stable as found...
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Mid-20th Century American Federal Benches

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Wood

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bermuda Bench as Found Condition
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bermuda Bench as Found Condition

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bermuda Bench as Found Condition

H 26.25 in W 28.5 in D 11.5 in
20th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique Spanish Renaissance walnut bench, called "escaño" in Spain, believed to date back to the early 19th century. Heavy pieces of solid walnut in back and seat with bevel...
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Materials

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20th Century Spanish Renaissance Carved Walnut Bench Banquette "Escaño"
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Hollywood Regency Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
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Mid-20th Century Federal Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Hollywood Regency Settee
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H 29 in W 58 in D 19 in
Large Swedish 19th century painted pine bench
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Large Swedish 19th century painted pine bench circa 1890. Here we present a Swedish painted bench which has been dry scraped through its various layers of lifetime paint. Shaped ba...
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Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Federal Benches

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Large Swedish 19th century painted pine bench
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H 38.5 in W 78.75 in D 22.5 in
Long English Victorian Solid Walnut Hall Bench
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
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Long English Victorian Solid Walnut Hall Bench
Long English Victorian Solid Walnut Hall Bench

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H 21.26 in W 54.134 in D 12.992 in
Mid 19th century large hand painted Swedish bench
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
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Previously Available Items
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Located in Essex, MA
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Located in Germantown, MD
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Late 19th Century Federal Walnut And Upholstered Window Bench

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H 26.5 in W 40 in D 17 in
Upholstered Mahogany Bench with Roll over Arms
Located in Astoria, NY
Upholstered mahogany bench with roll over arms on the ends, fabric with geometric pattern. Measures: 23" H x 26.5" x 13.75" D. In good vintage condition. Dealer: S138XX
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Late 20th Century Federal Benches

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Located in Astoria, NY
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Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Benches

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American Federal Style Bench

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H 20 in W 40 in D 15 in
Large Oval Golden Upholstery Flame Inlaid Mahogany Frame Federal Bench Ottoman
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large oval golden upholstery flame inlaid mahogany frame federal bench ottoman.
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20th Century American Federal Benches

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Large Oval Golden Upholstery Flame Inlaid Mahogany Frame Federal Bench Ottoman
Large Oval Golden Upholstery Flame Inlaid Mahogany Frame Federal Bench Ottoman

Large Oval Golden Upholstery Flame Inlaid Mahogany Frame Federal Bench Ottoman

H 19 in W 45 in D 23 in
Antique Early American Windsor Pine Spindle Back Colonial Deacons Bench Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
American pine colonial style 8 foot spindle bench, circa 1890s. Features a single back splat with turned spindles and curved arms over a plank seat the bench is supported by eight le...
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Antique Early American Windsor Pine Spindle Back Colonial Deacons Bench Seat
Antique Early American Windsor Pine Spindle Back Colonial Deacons Bench Seat

Antique Early American Windsor Pine Spindle Back Colonial Deacons Bench Seat

H 32.5 in W 17.5 in D 95.5 in
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Hand Painted Cane Seat Bench or Settee
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
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Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Hand Painted Cane Seat Bench or Settee
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Hand Painted Cane Seat Bench or Settee

Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Hand Painted Cane Seat Bench or Settee

H 32.88 in W 54.13 in D 21.5 in
American Federal Painted Bench with Rush Seat
Located in Queens, NY
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American Federal Painted Bench with Rush Seat
American Federal Painted Bench with Rush Seat

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H 32.5 in W 80 in L 32.5 in
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Located in Houston, TX
A painted and giltwood Federal style banquette with brass feet and casters newly upholstered in a low pile ecru velvet. This banquette is also availab...
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21st Century and Contemporary North American Federal Benches

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Brass

Federal Style Banquette
Federal Style Banquette

Federal Style Banquette

H 22 in W 92 in D 24 in
American Federal Antique Long Wooden Bench
Located in Austin, TX
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Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Benches

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Oak

American Federal Antique Long Wooden Bench
American Federal Antique Long Wooden Bench

American Federal Antique Long Wooden Bench

H 32.5 in W 93.5 in D 20 in
Federal Style Banquette
Located in Houston, TX
A painted and giltwood Federal style banquette.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Federal Benches

Materials

Brass

Federal Style Banquette
Federal Style Banquette

Federal Style Banquette

H 22 in W 76 in D 22.5 in

Federal benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal benches for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal benches made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States 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 benches differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,200 and tops out at $2,246 while the average work can sell for $1,862.

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