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 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 of Henredon Butter Upholstered Wingback Club Chairs
By Henredon
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An exceptional pair of bespoke wingback club armchairs from Henredon's Upholstery Collection. The chairs feature towering wingback silhouettes with gracefully curved wings that exten...
Brass
$5,324Sale Price|29% Off
H 37 in W 41 in D 41 in
Henredon for Ralph Lauren Thick Leather Wingback Writer's Club Chair, Signed
By Ralph Lauren, Henredon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous 'Writers' wingback club chair by Henredon for Ralph Lauren has such incredible leather, very thick and quality natural hides were used in it's making. The original Writ...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Georgian Style Wingback Chairs Upholstered in Linen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Wing Back Chairs in the Style of Georgian. Newly upholstered in Linen with a cord welt to the cushions. A wonderful pair and very c...
Linen, Upholstery, Cord, Wood
$9,800
H 50.5 in W 38 in D 34 in
English Chippendale Mahogany Upholstered Ball & Claw Wing Back Chair, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany upholstered wing back chair with serpentine back, flared wings, flanking scrolled arms, removable seat cushion, shell and floral carved knees, and termin...
Suede, Cotton, Upholstery, Mahogany
$6,137Sale Price|29% Off
H 37 in W 41 in D 41 in
Henredon for Ralph Lauren Thick Leather Wingback Writer's Club Chair, Signed
By Henredon, Ralph Lauren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous 'Writers' wingback club chair by Henredon for Ralph Lauren has such incredible leather, very thick and quality natural hides were used in it's making. The original Writ...
Leather, Wood
$907Sale Price|30% Off
H 44 in W 33 in D 34 in
Southwood Vintage Mahogany Upholstered Wingback Chair and Ottoman Set, C 1970s
Located in Germantown, MD
Amazingly well kept wingback chair by Southwood and Co. Original French blue velvet upholstery in very good condition and clean. No stains and extremely minimal wear. Very soft and v...
Upholstery, Mahogany
On Hold|$2,275 / set
H 36 in W 25 in D 25 in
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
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
$3,995 / set
H 46 in W 46 in D 30 in
Pair of English Queen Anne Style Wingback Loveseats Upholstered in Plaid Fabric
Located in Morristown, NJ
A stylish and exceptionally comfortable pair of English Queen Anne style wingback loveseats, raised on carved mahogany cabriole legs terminating in pad feet. The shapely frames featu...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Pair of 1930's Hollywood Regency Butterfly Wingback Chairs
By Ralph Lauren, Baker Furniture Company, Dorothy Draper
Located in Burbank, CA
Pair of antique wing chairs for sale. These have a beautiful butterfly wing back, and are really solid. They have a solid wood base in a ebony dark finish, and were previously reupho...
Fabric, Mahogany
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 45 in W 32.25 in D 32 in
Queen Anne Mahogany Fireside Upholstered Wingback Chair, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Queen Anne style fireside wingback chair offers upholstered chair with scroll form arms and raised on mahogany cabriole legs terminating in pad feet, 20th Century. Measures- 45''H...
Mahogany, Upholstery
Otto Schulz 1940s Sheepskin Swedish Wing Chair
By Otto Schulz
Located in London, England
Otto Schulz Wing chair, c1940s An imposing and impressive wing chair from Swedish master designer Otto Schulz, produced by hiss own company Boet in Gothenburg Sweden in the 1940s....
Sheepskin, Elm
$5,800 / set
H 41.5 in W 34 in D 34 in
Pair of English Georgian Style Ruby Red Leather Wingback Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning pair of mid-century leather wingback chairs or wing chairs featuring a dramatic ruby red leather upholstery. Made in the grand English Georgian taste with a mahogany hardwoo...
Brass
1960's Hollywood Regency Federal Style Wingback Chairs - a Pair
Located in Burbank, CA
Pair of vintage wing chairs for sale. From the 1960's, and very high-quality chairs. The seats have coil springs, and the seat cushions are down filled. Incredibly solid construction...
Fabric, Walnut
Classic Antique American Wing Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine Antique American Wing Chair with Classic form and great comfort. The Chair has flat-panel arms, sinuous leg with pad foot and a fiber wrapped down seat cushion. The chair is cus...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 52 in W 77 in D 33 in
Federal Style Carved Ornate Tufted Parlor Set Newly Upholstered, Set of 4
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Federal Style carved ornate tufted parlor set newly upholstered in a cabernet leather - 4 piece set Absolutely exquisite and rare antique, intricately detailed hand carved American Eagle topped 4 piece tufted leather library parlor set. This unique showstopper set is said to have been originally acquired from a former Illinois Governor’s Estate, consists of His & Hers wingback, scrolled armchairs, sofa and loveseat, each with an exquisite hand carved American Eagle top. Beautifully curved and scrolled wingback...
Leather, Wood
American Federal Wingback Chair with Blue Upholstery
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Federal period mahogany American wingback armchair in blue upholstery. In very good condition and nicely re-upholstered. Structurally sound and comfort...
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
Mahogany Wingback Chair Newly Upholstered with Ralph Lauren Tartan Wool
Located in West Hartford, CT
Handsome Classic wingback chair with mahogany legs and cross stretcher has been newly reupholstered in a luxurious Ralph Lauren tartan wool plaid f...
Wool, Mahogany
Vintage Mid Century Fireside Wing Back Chair Mustard Yellow
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a vintage wing back chair with textured yellow upholstery and wood legs. It is in good condition with usable upholstery, only showin...
Upholstery, Wood
Perfectly Patinated Black Leather Wing Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Perfectly patinated black leather wing back lounge chair, American, circa 1950s. The original black leather upholstery is perfectly broken in, ...
Brass
Pair of Regal Federal Style Wing Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant pair of wingback chairs on mahogany legs, upholstered in Fortuny style fabric with a gold camel background and slightly raised chenille like soft green pattern. Measures: 25....
Pair of 1940's Black Leather Wingback Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of 1940's Black Leather Wingback Chairs, designed for Bloomingdale's of New York City, "Beekman Place" Collection, American, circa 19...
Leather