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Federal 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
Henredon Federal Carved Mahogany Four-Poster Queen Size Fretworked Canopy Bed
Henredon Federal Carved Mahogany Four-Poster Queen Size Fretworked Canopy Bed

Henredon Federal Carved Mahogany Four-Poster Queen Size Fretworked Canopy Bed

By Henredon

Located in Germantown, MD

Henredon Federal Style Carved Mahogany Four-Poster Queen Size Canopy Bed with blind fretwork. Comes with metal bedframe for classic boosting and mattress support. Measures 65.5" in w...

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Hardwood

Drexel Heritage Federal Style American Cherry Breakfront China Display Cabinet
Drexel Heritage Federal Style American Cherry Breakfront China Display Cabinet

Drexel Heritage Federal Style American Cherry Breakfront China Display Cabinet

By Drexel

Located in Dayton, OH

Vintage 1987 Drexel Furniture Breakfront. Features a blend of Chippendale and Federal styling with open pediment trophy finial over an illumined showcase, supported by a lower cabine...

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture Federal Carved Mahogany Shield Back Side Chairs or Dining Chairs
Baker Furniture Federal Carved Mahogany Shield Back Side Chairs or Dining Chairs

Baker Furniture Federal Carved Mahogany Shield Back Side Chairs or Dining Chairs

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Federal or Hepplewhite style shield back side chairs or dining chairs By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Solid carved mahogany frames, with upholstered s...

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Pair of Henredon Butter Upholstered Wingback Club Chairs
Pair of Henredon Butter Upholstered Wingback Club Chairs

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...

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Henredon Federal Banded Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Henredon Federal Banded Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished

Henredon Federal Banded Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished

By Henredon

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Federal, Hepplewhite, or Regency style extension dining table By Henredon USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous banded mahogany, with satinwood string inlay, and brass-capped f...

Category

1960s American Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

C. 1800 American Federal Period Side Table
C. 1800 American Federal Period Side Table

C. 1800 American Federal Period Side Table

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Circa 1800 American Federal Period 3-drawer Side Table. Southern, either NC or VA origin. Warm brown, well figured walnut & walnut veneers. Yellow pine secondary wood. Work table wit...

Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Wood

Waterford Crystal Lamp Killarney Kinsale Bankers Table Lamp 1990s - 1stDibs
Waterford Crystal Lamp Killarney Kinsale Bankers Table Lamp 1990s - 1stDibs

Waterford Crystal Lamp Killarney Kinsale Bankers Table Lamp 1990s - 1stDibs

By Waterford Crystal

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Vintage table lamp features sculptural cut crystal base with brass base and topper with an arm. Elongated cylinder-shaped crystal body is decorated with parallel bands of large cut d...

Category

Late 20th Century Irish Federal Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Vintage American Federal Gold Brass Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Vintage American Federal Gold Brass Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror

Vintage American Federal Gold Brass Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror

Located in Elkhart, IN

A gorgeous Federal or Regency style small convex bullseye wall mirror featuring an eagle with open wings standing on olive branches. USA, Mid 20th Century Brass frame, with origin...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Mahogany Federal Chippendale Gilt Eagle Acanthus Wall Vanity Mirror 45"
Antique Mahogany Federal Chippendale Gilt Eagle Acanthus Wall Vanity Mirror 45"

Antique Mahogany Federal Chippendale Gilt Eagle Acanthus Wall Vanity Mirror 45"

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique Federal / Chippendale style wall / mantel / vanity / mirror. Rectangular form, framed in mahogany with scrolling fretwork at the top and bottom, gold gilt border around the m...

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Vintage Waterford Crystal Lismore Carriage Clock
Vintage Waterford Crystal Lismore Carriage Clock

Vintage Waterford Crystal Lismore Carriage Clock

By Waterford Crystal

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

An elegant addition to any mantle or desk, the Lismore Carriage Clock features an elegant cream clockface with Roman numerals and brass finish, set in a sweeping frame of fine, handc...

Category

20th Century Irish Federal Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Vintage American Federal Giltwood Eagle Mirror
Vintage American Federal Giltwood Eagle Mirror

Vintage American Federal Giltwood Eagle Mirror

Located in Elkhart, IN

A gorgeous Federal or Regency style wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 colonies around ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Rare Antique American Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa Settee Boston Massachusetts
Rare Antique American Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa Settee Boston Massachusetts

Rare Antique American Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa Settee Boston Massachusetts

Located in Dayton, OH

A Very Fine American Federal Period Carved Mahogany Sofa, circa 1810. Features a bowback frame with cross banding. Sloped arms lead to reeded supports in front of remarkable three-di...

Category

1810s Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Federal Gilt Over Mantle Mirror
Federal Gilt Over Mantle Mirror

Federal Gilt Over Mantle Mirror

Located in Bradenton, FL

A very attractive Federal gilt over mantle mirror in original condition. A classic traditional Neo Classical design with rope twist columns and a continuous row of gilt spheres as c...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Classical American Federal Gondola Sleigh Bed in Mahogany, Philadelphia, c. 1830
Classical American Federal Gondola Sleigh Bed in Mahogany, Philadelphia, c. 1830

Classical American Federal Gondola Sleigh Bed in Mahogany, Philadelphia, c. 1830

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

An exquisite classical American gondola sleigh bed in fine West Indies mahogany from the Federal period in Philadelphia, circa 1830. Inspired by the aesthetic ideals of ancient Greek & Roman furniture popularized during the Empire & Federal period, this sleigh bed features shaped sideboards with an out-scrolled headboard...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

1800s American Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk
1800s American Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk

1800s American Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk

Located in Germantown, MD

An early 19th Century Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk recently refinished. Measure 45.75" in width, 21" in depth and 44" in height.

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Federal Mahogany Upholstered Armchairs Attrib. to Ephraim Haines, C. 1805s
Pair Federal Mahogany Upholstered Armchairs Attrib. to Ephraim Haines, C. 1805s

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...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Upholstery, Mahogany

Federal Style Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk / Display Cabinet & Brass Eagle
Federal Style Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk / Display Cabinet & Brass Eagle

Federal Style Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk / Display Cabinet & Brass Eagle

By Mahogany Associates

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a beautiful inlaid flame mahogany Federal style secretary desk with tambour doors. It has two glass shelves. The body has several areas with inlaid satinwood designs. It date...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

A Fine Inlaid Federal Sheraton Mahogany Chest, c.1820
A Fine Inlaid Federal Sheraton Mahogany Chest, c.1820

A Fine Inlaid Federal Sheraton Mahogany Chest, c.1820

Located in Savannah, GA

A fine inlaid federal sheraton mahogany chest of drawers, circa 1820. Six drawers with half columns and conforming top. Finely inlaid drawer fronts. Chestnut secondary wood. Po...

Category

1820s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Ferguson Bros Federal Curved Glass Mahogany Wall Hanging Curio Cabinet
Vintage Ferguson Bros Federal Curved Glass Mahogany Wall Hanging Curio Cabinet

Vintage Ferguson Bros Federal Curved Glass Mahogany Wall Hanging Curio Cabinet

Located in Germantown, MD

A Vintage wall hanging Federal style display cabinet with a rounded curved glass front, mirrored interior and three shelves, topped with a scrolled pediment and three trophy shaped f...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Charak Furniture Co. Federal Revival Inlaid Tambour Desk
Charak Furniture Co. Federal Revival Inlaid Tambour Desk

Charak Furniture Co. Federal Revival Inlaid Tambour Desk

By Charak Furniture Company

Located in Norwood, NJ

A finely crafted Federal Revival tambour writing desk by Charak Furniture Co., Boston, retaining its original paper label and dated 1933.. Executed in richly figured satinwood and ma...

Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table
19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table

19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table . Measures 17.5" in width close, 34" in width open, 24.5" in depth and stands 26" tall.

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique pine chest of drawers with painted details from the 19th century
Antique pine chest of drawers with painted details from the 19th century

Antique pine chest of drawers with painted details from the 19th century

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Crafted from solid pine and oak, the chest of drawers features beautiful, ornate, and painted details. Beautiful trim along the edges, lilies, bud flowers, and lovely legs. The warm ...

Category

19th Century Scandinavian Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Oak, Pine

Early 20th Century American Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard
Early 20th Century American Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard

Early 20th Century American Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard

Located in Elkton, MD

An American Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard, Early 20th Century The rectangular top with serpentine front and ovolo corners, above a conforming case with a single long drawe...

Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique American 4 Poster Acanthus Carved Southern Bed in Mahogany, c. 1820
Antique American 4 Poster Acanthus Carved Southern Bed in Mahogany, c. 1820

Antique American 4 Poster Acanthus Carved Southern Bed in Mahogany, c. 1820

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

Period Antique Federal American 4 poster bed in West Indies mahogany, c. 1820. A fine example of a Southern bed featuring carved tobacco and acanthus leaves in a fine tight grained C...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Exceptional Donald Dunlap Tiger Maple Two Part Highboy or High Chest
Exceptional Donald Dunlap Tiger Maple Two Part Highboy or High Chest

Exceptional Donald Dunlap Tiger Maple Two Part Highboy or High Chest

By Donald Dunlap

Located in Milford, NH

An exceptional example of a hand carved Donald Dunlap two part tiger maple highboy or high chest with a beautifully hand carved cornice with central radial fan below two carved roset...

Category

1990s American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage American Federal Gold Brass Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirrors, Pair
Vintage American Federal Gold Brass Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirrors, Pair

Vintage American Federal Gold Brass Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirrors, Pair

Located in Elkhart, IN

A gorgeous pair of Federal or Regency style small convex bullseye wall mirrors featuring an eagle with open wings and 13 balls representing the original 13 colonies USA, Mid 20th Ce...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Vintage American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Vintage American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror

Vintage American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror

Located in Elkhart, IN

A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches. USA, Mid 20th Century Giltwood frame, with ori...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

NYC Federal Full Tester Bed Attributable to Lannuier w Four Floral-Carved Posts
NYC Federal Full Tester Bed Attributable to Lannuier w Four Floral-Carved Posts

NYC Federal Full Tester Bed Attributable to Lannuier w Four Floral-Carved Posts

By Charles-Honoré Lannuier

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

An exceptional American Federal sleigh bed with tester in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany with beautifully-articulated floral and acanthus-leaf carvings, along the crest of the headboard and footboard, and on the four posts, attributable to the French-born cabinetmaker Charles-Honoré Lannuier...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

American Federal Period Pine Dresser Base and Plate Rack in Original Paint
American Federal Period Pine Dresser Base and Plate Rack in Original Paint

American Federal Period Pine Dresser Base and Plate Rack in Original Paint

Located in Richmond, VA

American Federal Period Pine Dresser Base and Plate Rack in Original Paint. Nice shaped cornice and apron. Original brown paint.

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Pair Hickory Chair Federal Style Mahogany & Inlay Upholstered Mahogany Armchairs
Pair Hickory Chair Federal Style Mahogany & Inlay Upholstered Mahogany Armchairs

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...

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Early 19th Century Cherry Hand-Planed Gate-Legged, Drop Leaf Dining Table
Early 19th Century Cherry Hand-Planed Gate-Legged, Drop Leaf Dining Table

Early 19th Century Cherry Hand-Planed Gate-Legged, Drop Leaf Dining Table

Located in Louisville, KY

Not your ordinary drop-leaf table, this early 19th century cherry gate-leg, drop-leaf table was hand-planed and hand-turned to create a wonderful dining table that doubles as a conso...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Federal Style Carved Mahogany Mirrored Display Cabinet by Pulaski, 20th C
Federal Style Carved Mahogany Mirrored Display Cabinet by Pulaski, 20th C

Federal Style Carved Mahogany Mirrored Display Cabinet by Pulaski, 20th C

By Pulaski Furniture Corporation

Located in Big Flats, NY

A Federal style display case by Pulaski offers mahogany construction with broken arch crest having central carved finial over case having double glass doors opening to shelved and mi...

Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Glass, Mirror

Antique Federal Style Bow Front Figured Mahogany Chest
Antique Federal Style Bow Front Figured Mahogany Chest

Antique Federal Style Bow Front Figured Mahogany Chest

Located in Bridgeport, CT

The fine chest with four graduated drawers each with fine string inlay and with a pair of brass oval bales decorated with a classical columned rotunda and brass key holes. All drawer...

Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Federal Trumeau Reverse Painted Gilt Wood Mirror Unsigned 19thC
Antique Federal Trumeau Reverse Painted Gilt Wood Mirror Unsigned 19thC

Antique Federal Trumeau Reverse Painted Gilt Wood Mirror Unsigned 19thC

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Federal Trumeau Reverse Painted Gilt Wood Mirror 19thC Measures - 32.5"H x 16.5"W x 2"D This 19th-century Federal Trumeau mirror features a reverse-painted panel depicting a ...

Category

19th Century Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Federal Style Mahogany Glazed Double Door China Bookcase Display Cabinet
Federal Style Mahogany Glazed Double Door China Bookcase Display Cabinet

Federal Style Mahogany Glazed Double Door China Bookcase Display Cabinet

Located in Germantown, MD

An early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Double Glazed Door China bookcase, display Cabinet. Measures 34.5" in width, 16" in depth and 70" in height.

Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Federal Mahogany Sideboard
Federal Mahogany Sideboard

Federal Mahogany Sideboard

Located in Annville, PA

An ideal sideboard for use in smaller spaces in the dining room the Federal Mahogany Sideboard is also designed to work with almost any deco...

Category

2010s Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Baker Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Flip-Top Demilune Console Table
Baker Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Flip-Top Demilune Console Table

Baker Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Flip-Top Demilune Console Table

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style flip-top demilune console, entry table, or game table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetry. Measu...

Category

1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock
Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock

Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock

Located in Essex, MA

Typical form signed Willard on the reverse glass. Boston State house on lower panel. Brass eagle finial. Not currently working but can be.

Category

1820s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Metal

American Federal Southern Walnut Hinged Two Drawer Inlaid Sugar Chest, VA C 1820
American Federal Southern Walnut Hinged Two Drawer Inlaid Sugar Chest, VA C 1820

American Federal Southern Walnut Hinged Two Drawer Inlaid Sugar Chest, VA C 1820

Located in Charleston, SC

American Federal Southern walnut hinged top sugar chest with oval string inlays, two flanking drawers with brass pulls, central diamond escutcheons, and resting on the original turne...

Category

1820s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small Burled Penhurst Bookcase
Small Burled Penhurst Bookcase

Small Burled Penhurst Bookcase

Located in Annville, PA

The Niagara Furniture Small Burled Penshurst Bookcase with two shelves. The burled cornice is beautiful and adds a sense of depth to the upper area of the case while hand carved acan...

Category

2010s Federal Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Federal American Brass Eagle Door Knocker, circa 1900
Antique Federal American Brass Eagle Door Knocker, circa 1900

Antique Federal American Brass Eagle Door Knocker, circa 1900

Located in Pearland, TX

A fine large antique American Federal eagle brass door knocker, circa 1900. This regal door knocker is nicely cast and heavy, weighing over 2.5 lbs, in the form of a stately eagle wi...

Category

Early 1900s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Federal Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Wall Mirror C. 20th
Federal Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Wall Mirror C. 20th

Federal Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Wall Mirror C. 20th

Located in Big Flats, NY

***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Federal Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Wall Mirror C. 20th Measures - 50"h x 29"w x 2"d

Category

20th Century Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

American Federal Style Tri-Panel Gold Leaf Wall Mirror

American Federal Style Tri-Panel Gold Leaf Wall Mirror

By Friedman Brothers

Located in Queens, NY

American Federal Revival style gilt wall mirror featuring fluted corinthian pilasters partitioning 3 beveled mirror panes under a pediment with decorative dentil moulding ending in v...

Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror

Federal furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal furniture made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, Kindel Furniture, Drexel, and Edward F. Caldwell & Co.. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $115,000 while the average work can sell for $2,800.