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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
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
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

18th Century American Two Over Three Chest of Drawers
18th Century American Two Over Three Chest of Drawers

18th Century American Two Over Three Chest of Drawers

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

NH Queen Anne Curly Maple Highboy Attributed to the Dunlap Workshop c 1760-1780
NH Queen Anne Curly Maple Highboy Attributed to the Dunlap Workshop c 1760-1780

NH Queen Anne Curly Maple Highboy Attributed to the Dunlap Workshop c 1760-1780

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 18th Century Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers
American 18th Century Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers

American 18th Century Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers

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

American Federal Pine Chest

American Federal Pine Chest

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

American Federal Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
American Federal Mahogany Chest Of Drawers

American Federal Mahogany Chest Of Drawers

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18th Century English George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers
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18th Century English George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers
18th Century English George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers

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H 33.08 in W 37.41 in D 18.9 in
Large Danish 18th Century Mahogany Dresser Or Chest of Drawers
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18th Century Georgian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Dublin 8, IE
18th century Georgian mahogany chest of drawers. It features two smaller drawers above three full-length drawers with original brass swan neck handles and decorative brass escutcheons on the lower drawers. Carved fluted pillars, in the classical style, flank either side of the drawers with the whole chest sitting on simple ogee bracket...
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18th Century Georgian Mahogany Chest of Drawers
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H 32 in W 37 in D 18.75 in
KINDEL Mahogany Queen Anne Style Highboy Chest
By Kindel Furniture
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Queen Anne style highboy chest by Kindel Furniture, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Solid mahogany with brass hardware; complimented by brok...
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Mid-20th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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KINDEL Mahogany Queen Anne Style Highboy Chest
KINDEL Mahogany Queen Anne Style Highboy Chest

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H 80 in W 37.5 in D 21.75 in
Georgian Flame Mahogany Highboy Dresser in the Manner of Baker Furniture
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style seven-drawer chest on chest highboy dresser In the manner of Baker Furniture USA, circa 1940s Carved mahogany, with stunning flame m...
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Georgian Flame Mahogany Highboy Dresser in the Manner of Baker Furniture
Georgian Flame Mahogany Highboy Dresser in the Manner of Baker Furniture

Georgian Flame Mahogany Highboy Dresser in the Manner of Baker Furniture

H 55.75 in W 36.5 in D 19.25 in
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...
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Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Federal Mahogany Chest

Federal Mahogany Chest

H 52.5 in W 45.5 in D 20.5 in
18th Century Mahogany Georgian Chest of Drawers Antique English Dresser
Located in Dayton, OH
18th century mahogany Georgian chest of drawers antique English dresser Made from mahogany with four drawers, featuring brass hardware over ...
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18th Century Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Mahogany

18th Century Mahogany Georgian Chest of Drawers Antique English Dresser
18th Century Mahogany Georgian Chest of Drawers Antique English Dresser

18th Century Mahogany Georgian Chest of Drawers Antique English Dresser

H 29 in W 20 in D 41 in
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Inlaid Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Pasadena, CA
An 18th century Italian neoclassical style marble chest of drawers featuring contrasting marquetry inlay throughout the exterior as well as decorative rose colored paper lines throug...
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18th Century Italian Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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18th Century Italian Neoclassical Inlaid Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Inlaid Chest of Drawers with Marble Top

18th Century Italian Neoclassical Inlaid Chest of Drawers with Marble Top

H 42.25 in W 51 in D 25.5 in
19th Century Early American Red Pine Chest of Drawers on Wheels
Located in Germantown, MD
19th century early American red pine chest of drawers on wheels with pegged joints drawers. Good antique condition. Measures 35.5" in width,...
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Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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19th Century Early American Red Pine Chest of Drawers on Wheels
19th Century Early American Red Pine Chest of Drawers on Wheels

19th Century Early American Red Pine Chest of Drawers on Wheels

H 35.5 in W 35.5 in D 16.75 in
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 ...
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Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Federal Bow Front Hepplewhite Chest
Federal Bow Front Hepplewhite Chest

Federal Bow Front Hepplewhite Chest

H 37.5 in W 41 in D 21.5 in
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

Antique Circa Early 19th Century American Federal Chest on Bracket Feet
Antique Circa Early 19th Century American Federal Chest on Bracket Feet

Antique Circa Early 19th Century American Federal Chest on Bracket Feet

H 33 in W 38 in D 19.25 in
Mid-18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Six Drawers
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Middleburg, VA
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Mid-18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Six Drawers
Mid-18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Six Drawers

Mid-18th Century Chippendale Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Six Drawers

H 50.5 in W 42.5 in D 20.75 in
Previously Available Items
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...
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Brass

Late 18th c New England Maple Highboy or High Chest with Carved Fans
Late 18th c New England Maple Highboy or High Chest with Carved Fans

Late 18th c New England Maple Highboy or High Chest with Carved Fans

H 73.25 in W 40.5 in D 20 in
18th Century New England Tiger Maple Highboy with Document Drawer
Located in Milford, NH
A Fine two part New England highboy in tiger maple, its upper case with a molded cornice surmounting a long thin document drawer near the top over ...
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18th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Brass

18th Century New England Tiger Maple Highboy with Document Drawer
18th Century New England Tiger Maple Highboy with Document Drawer

18th Century New England Tiger Maple Highboy with Document Drawer

H 78.5 in W 41.25 in D 20.5 in
American 18th Century Maple Chest of Four Graduated Drawers with Bracket Base
Located in Wells, ME
American Federal period maple chest of four graduated drawers with thumbnail molding to carcass and molded bracket base and top. The timber was chosen carefully for this chest, the c...
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Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Maple

American 18th Century Maple Chest of Four Graduated Drawers with Bracket Base
American 18th Century Maple Chest of Four Graduated Drawers with Bracket Base

American 18th Century Maple Chest of Four Graduated Drawers with Bracket Base

H 37.25 in W 42.5 in D 17.5 in
Antique Late 18th Century Federal Bow Front Chest
Located in Peabody, MA
A fine and generously proportioned antique Federal bow front chest of flame mahogany with string banding and French feet, ca. 1790.
Category

1790s American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Late 18th Century Federal Bow Front Chest
Antique Late 18th Century Federal Bow Front Chest

Antique Late 18th Century Federal Bow Front Chest

H 38.5 in W 45.63 in D 23 in
Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular bowed top over four graduated drawers raised on bracket feet. Brass bail handles. Likely made in Massachusetts.
Category

1790s American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers

Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers

H 33.75 in W 40.5 in D 20.63 in
American Federal 18th Century Cherry Chest of Four Graduated Drawers
Located in Wells, ME
American Federal 18th century solid cherry chest of four graduated drawers with handsome shaped apron and splay feet. There is a checkered band of...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry

American Federal 18th Century Cherry Chest of Four Graduated Drawers
American Federal 18th Century Cherry Chest of Four Graduated Drawers

American Federal 18th Century Cherry Chest of Four Graduated Drawers

H 34.5 in W 42.5 in D 23.75 in
Late 18th Century American Federal Hepplewhite Antique Chest of Drawers
Located in Peabody, MA
A late 18th century American Federal period, Hepplewhite chest of drawers in cherry and mahogany with splayed (French) bracket feet and original English brasses, from a New Hampshire...
Category

Late 18th Century North American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Late 18th Century American Federal Hepplewhite Antique Chest of Drawers
Late 18th Century American Federal Hepplewhite Antique Chest of Drawers

Late 18th Century American Federal Hepplewhite Antique Chest of Drawers

H 36.25 in W 38.75 in D 19.5 in
18th Century American Federal Mahogany Bow Front Chest, circa 1780
Located in San Francisco, CA
About An antique bow front chest with original brass pulls and key holes. (No keys available.) The chest features French bracket feet and dovetails joints on all the drawers. Cre...
Category

18th Century Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Poplar, Pine

18th Century American Federal Mahogany Bow Front Chest, circa 1780
18th Century American Federal Mahogany Bow Front Chest, circa 1780

18th Century American Federal Mahogany Bow Front Chest, circa 1780

H 41 in W 37.5 in D 19 in
American Federal Period Walnut Nine-Drawer High Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
An American federal period solid walnut high chest, the moulded edge top above five short and four long drawers all raised on bracket feet. The...
Category

1790s American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

American Federal Period Walnut Nine-Drawer High Chest
American Federal Period Walnut Nine-Drawer High Chest

American Federal Period Walnut Nine-Drawer High Chest

H 56.5 in W 40 in D 21 in
American Federal Birch Inlaid Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Massachusetts c. 1788
Located in Shippensburg, PA
An incredibly powerful piece of craftsmanship, the timbers chosen for this angular chest are simply exceptional. The rare and highly desirable flamed birch has been cut into matchbooked veneers on the drawer fronts to create a remarkably dramatic facade. Ebony and light wood stringer inlays separate these veneers from the crossbanded mahogany border finished in applied cockbead molding. The edge of the rectangular top matches the banding around the base, a simple vertical inlay framed between two light wood stringers. The sides and top of the case are cut from single planks of beautifully figured mahogany and the chest rests over splayed feet with an unusually dramatic lift, the toes terminating with a steep taper and slight outward kick, the soft curvature of the inner edge broken in a gentle spur flanking the bow of the apron on the front and sides. The form is closely related to works in Massachusetts, particularly Salem and Boston. It’s brasses are original and are stamped peace over a morning dove...
Category

1780s American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

American Federal Birch Inlaid Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Massachusetts c. 1788
American Federal Birch Inlaid Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Massachusetts c. 1788

American Federal Birch Inlaid Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Massachusetts c. 1788

H 38 in W 40.5 in D 19.5 in
American Maritime Sea Captain's Chest from the Sloop Atalanta, circa 1780
Located in Miami, FL
This exemplary American maritime chest bears the following inscription on the bottom of the center small drawer. "Benjamin Reeves, Sloop Atalanta, Cap (...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Poplar, Mahogany

American Maritime Sea Captain's Chest from the Sloop Atalanta, circa 1780
American Maritime Sea Captain's Chest from the Sloop Atalanta, circa 1780

American Maritime Sea Captain's Chest from the Sloop Atalanta, circa 1780

H 50.75 in W 46.25 in D 20 in
18th Century Federal Bow Front Chest with Flame Birch Veneers
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional late 18th century Federal mahogany bow front chest with wonderful oval and rectangular flame birch veneers, along with lovely satinwood checkered and line inlay, perio...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

18th Century Federal Bow Front Chest with Flame Birch Veneers
18th Century Federal Bow Front Chest with Flame Birch Veneers

18th Century Federal Bow Front Chest with Flame Birch Veneers

H 36.38 in W 40.25 in D 21.38 in

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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