Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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 Circa Early 19th Century American Federal Chest on Bracket Feet
Located in Peabody, MA
Antique American Federal period chest of four drawers in cherry over bracket feet.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Early American Federal Chest of Drawers in Bookmatched Mahogany
Located in Hopewell, NJ
From the Federal period, a very beautiful American Neoclassical chest of drawers in fine bookmatched mahogany with one overhanging drawer supported on the sides by two beautifully tu...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Mahogany Federal Style Silver Chest by Henkle Harris
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mahogany Federal Style Silver Chest by Henkle Harris. The medium colored mahogany with a burl center panel with lift up top to reveal several felt fitted drawers for silver flatware...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Mahogany Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice Federal Mahogany chest 1820-30. This is a really pretty chest with beautiful carved and turned columns on tall turned legs. There is...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Bonnet Top Highboy with Pinwheel Carvings & Impressive Size
Located in Milford, NH
A Queen Anne style bonnet top highboy with swan’s neck split pediment with urn form finials surmounting an upper case with three pinwheel carvings over three fitted drawers, the cent...
Category
20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
19th Century American Federal Bachelor's Chest of Drawers
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional quality American Federal Style Bachelor's chest of five drawers from the first half of the 19th century.
Finely hand-crafted of warm rich solid mahogany, having a r...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Federal Early 19th Century Sheraton Bow Front Cookie Corner Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Exceptional early 19th century Sheraton bow front chest of drawers. The case is constructed of lovely flame mahogany. There are four drawers a...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Federal Bow Front Hepplewhite Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice and clean Federal Mahogany Hepplewhite chest with cock beaded drawers and resting on a tall French foot. Very good condition ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Tall Chest Of Drawers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsome Antique Chest with fine traditional form and good color. Antique tall chest of drawers with three over two over four graduated drawers. T...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
American Federal Chest of Drawers in West Indies Mahogany, Baltimore, circa 1835
Located in Miami, FL
From the Federal period, a very beautiful American Neoclassical chest of drawers in fine West Indies mahogany with two overhanging small drawers supported by turned and reeded column...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Federal Style Mahogany Bedside Chests
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and figured mahogany nightstand, the reeded edge bowfront top with protruding corners with leaf carved and reeded uprights, with three graduated drawers with verdigris bra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
18th Century American Two Over Three Chest of Drawers
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of an 18th American chest of drawers in a two over three configuration, possibly a converted highboy top of Boston origin, with added finished molded top, original bra...
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front Desk w Drawers Dresser
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front desk w drawers dresser.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Rare Harold Ionson Seymour Federal Demilune Birdseye Commode Console Cabinet
By Thomas Seymour
Located in Dayton, OH
A rare and impressive commode by Harold Ionson. Made of birdseye maple, satinwood and Honduras mahogany, featuring a half round / bow front with four drawers, two side cabinets, brass paw / claw feet and superb sunburst / starburst top with nautical sea shell and cartouche theme. Includes silverware insert by EJ Victor.
A total of nine of these Reproductions from the original were made over the course of a decade by Ionson and team. And although nearly 200 years separate the pieces, Thomas Seymour’s (1771–1848) demilune commode in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and its modern-day re-creation by Harold Ionson can each deservedly be deemed masterworks of the highest order. Over the past twelve years, Ionson—perhaps the last of the Colonial Revival craftsmen who trained in the 1930s—has made nine re-creations of the original Federal commode made by Seymour in 1809.
“I always loved the piece,” says Ionson, “but the museum wasn’t selling.” His admiration led to hours of thorough study of the museum’s commode. He observed every nuance of its design, then made sketches and even casts of details before embarking on his own version.
“The most difficult part was finding the right figures for the veneers,” says Ionson, “but I found superb quilted bird’s-eye maple, satinwood, and Honduras mahogany.”
Ionson achieved such a sublime work of craftsmanship because he had few constraints. Unlike Seymour, Ionson possessed the luxury of time, modern machinery, and a greater selection of available woods (except ash). The work of both men, however, is distinguished by ingenuity and skill. Part of the challenge of the re-creation was to figure out just how Seymour made the piece, maintain its artistic integrity, and keep to the original’s exact measurements. The execution of the commodes took barely 10 percent of Ionson’s time; mostly he planned, designed, and invented needed tools for precise fabrication, such as a hand-built jig.
The top of the re-created commode features a sunburst of alternating mahogany and satinwood veneers emanating from a lunette of shells painted in oil by Jonathan L. Fairbanks, curator emeritus, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Fairbanks replicated the original by John Ritto Penniman (1782–1841). Courtesy of Harold Ionson.
Ionson thought of everything—from humidity’s effects on structural stresses to drawers popping open—when he considered innovations to the commode’s construction. His additions to the original design include hickory spring...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany, Satinwood
Late 20th Century Vintage Boho Carved Burl Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Boho chest of drawers. Beautiful Burl wood drawers with incredible wood grain detail. Hand carved corner posts. Acquired from ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
NH Queen Anne Curly Maple Highboy Attributed to the Dunlap Workshop c 1760-1780
By Dunlap Cabinetmakers
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a New Hampshire Queen Anne two part highboy in curly maple attributed to the Dunlap Workshop, circa 1760-1780, its upper case featuring a hand carved cornice...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century 4 Drawers Pull Out Tray Flame Mahogany Bachelor Chest Brass
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique 19th Century Federal Style 4 Drawers pull out tray flame mahogany bachelor chest brass
Pulls Dovetail Drawers.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Bracket Feet Mahogany 6 Drawers Brass Pulls Tall Lingerie Chest Dresser Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bracket feet mahogany 6 drawers brass pulls tall lingerie chest dresser cabinet.
Category
20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Banded Top Mahogany Inlayed Bracket Feet 11 Drawers Dresser Credenza MINT!
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bow front banded top mahogany inlayed bracket feet 11 drawers dresser credenza MINT!.
Category
20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Federal Bowfront Mahogany Bedside Chest Nightstand
Located in Germantown, MD
19th century Federal Bowfront Mahogany bedside chest nighstand. Good antique Condition. Dovetail drawers functioning perfectly. Original Hardware. Mea...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
American Federal Mahogany & Satinwood Butler's Desk with Paw Feet. NY, C. 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal mahogany butler's desk with a carved molded edge, three upper drawers with original brass knobs, sliding fall front interior desk with Satinwood drawers and pigeon h...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Kittinger 5 Drawers Pull Out Tray Mahogany Federal Style Bachelor Chest Dresser
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Kittinger 5 drawers pull out tray mahogany federal style bachelor chest dresser.
Lockable drawer.
Category
20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Antique Ca. 1820 Federal Era Trompe L'oeil Painted Chest
Located in Peabody, MA
American Federal era chest of drawers in its original trompe l’oeil mustard painted finish, ca. 1820.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Federal Mahogany Tall Gentleman's Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Federal style mahogany and figured mahogany Gentleman's chest of drawers, the bowfront reeded edge top with protruding corners above leaf carved capital and reeded column supports,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Federal Style Mahogany Bedside Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and figured mahogany nightstand, the reeded edge bowfront top with protruding corners with leaf carved and reeded uprights, with three graduated drawers with verdigris bra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Diminutive Federal Inlaid Mahogany Chest of Drawers, First Quarter 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Diminutive Federal Inlaid Mahogany chest of drawers, first quarter 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Style Mahogany Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and figured mahogany veneered dresser, the reeded edge top with protruding corners and a central bowfront with leaf carved and reede...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
American Chippendale Mahogany Chest
Located in New York, NY
American Chippendale style mahogany chest on chest cabinet with 7 drawers below 3 shell carved small drawers with flame form finials and broken pe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Style Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Lift Top
Located in New York, NY
American Federal style 19th century mahogany chest of drawers with 2 lower drawers above dummy drawers having a lift top with replaced brass...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Miniature 4 Drawers Jewelry Letter Campaign Chest Dresser with Brass Drop Pulls
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mahogany miniature jewelry letter miscellanies chest with brass drop pulls.
Category
20th Century Unknown Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
American 18th Century Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmel, CA
Sheraton style chest with four graduated drawers with inlay banding and cock beading about the perimeter. The chest has a curvaceous apron and Fr...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Pine Chest
Located in New York, NY
American Federal pine chest with 4 drawers and carved column sides.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
19th Century Federal American Two Over Three Bow Front Chest In Mahogany
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal American bow front chest in mahogany with conforming molded edge top, surmounting a case two over three drawer con...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
American Federal Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with pinched corners over four graduated drawers with oval brass handles.
Bracket feet.
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Late 18th c New England Maple Highboy or High Chest with Carved Fans
Located in Milford, NH
A nice example of a late 18th century New England maple highboy or high chest, its upper case with a molded cornice surmounting a central fan carved drawer flanked by four fitted sma...
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
19th-C. American Federal Style Tiger Maple Chest or Commode
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a timeless piece. It is a 19th century tiger maple chest of drawers. Note the feet and fluting! It also has peg construction. The hardware may or may not be original. It is i...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Federal commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Federal commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal commodes and chests of drawers made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original commodes and chests of drawers, popular names associated with this style include Drexel, Kittinger, and Williamsburg Restoration Inc.. 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 commodes and chests of drawers 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 $30,000 while the average work can sell for $3,448.
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