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Federal Desks

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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Federal
Mid 20th Century Solid Mahogany Federal Kidney Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century Solid Mahogany Federal Kidney Desk in great vintage condition. Top newly and professionally refinished and flawlessly working drawers Measures 46" in width x 22" in...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique Federal Cherrywood Desk and Glassdoor Bookcase
Located in Sheridan, CO
A Late Federal Cherrywood Desk and Bookcase, Circa 1830. This unique piece includes a folding desk and make a fabulous looking compact desk with plenty of storage in bookcase above. This was possibly a clerk's desk. Includes plenty of storage and desk...
Category

Early 18th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Circa 1800-1805 Mahogany Federal Hepplewhite Tambour Desk, Massachusetts
Located in Louisville, KY
This stunning inlaid Mahogany Federal Hepplewhite Tambour Desk, most likely originated in the Massachusetts area between 1800-1805 time period...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century American Walnut Federal Style Drop-Front Desk
Located in Louisville, KY
Circa 1830's, this walnut Federal Sheraton style plantation desk has a single front drawer on the lower desk and double doors on the upper piece. The double doors open to reveal intr...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Federal Birch Slant Front Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice early 19th century Federal Birch New England Slant Lid Desk likely New Hampshire in origin around 1800-1830. Made of solid Birch with four large graduated inlaid drawers ...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Birch

Huge Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
This is the Huge Partners Desk in the Niagara Furniture collection. This desk behemoth matches a number of other pieces which we produce. The fantastic solid mahogany top frame is in...
Category

2010s Federal Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Oval Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
One of the most complicated items that we produce at Niagara furniture our Oval Partners Desk is also one of the most popular. The top section of the desk consists of a three-paneled...
Category

2010s Federal Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

90" Baker Executive Partners Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
Baker partners desk Stunning pedestal leather top executive desk made by BAKER. Functioning drawers on both sides serve as guest or partner de...
Category

1980s American Vintage Federal Desks

Materials

Burl

Mahogany Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
A fine quality Mahogany Partners Desk from Niagara Furniture with raised door panels and a rich brown color finish similar to that found in English antiques. The three-paneled writin...
Category

2010s Federal Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Banded Mahogany Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
This beautiful Banded Mahogany Partners Desk is crafted as an antique reproduction. The figural mahogany in the drawer and door panels displays a rich color and a fine grain that are...
Category

2010s Federal Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Large Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
Inspired by an antique desk and bookcase this Large Mahogany Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture is impressive in both it’s design and scal...
Category

2010s Federal Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Burled Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
This beautiful burled partners desk by Niagara Furniture is crafted as an antique reproduction. The fine quality veneers in the drawer and door panels displays a rich color similar t...
Category

2010s Federal Desks

Materials

Leather, Wood

Large Mahogany Credenza
Located in Annville, PA
Decorative and functional this great quality four part Large Mahogany Credenza from Niagara Furniture can solve a lot of your storage and display needs either at home or in the workp...
Category

2010s Federal Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Credenza
Located in Annville, PA
This Mahogany Credenza matches a number of other items in the Niagara Furniture office collection. The credenza utilizes three part construction, the top and two pedestals separate f...
Category

2010s Federal Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Federal Mahogany and Birch Inlaid Secretary/Desk sq
Located in Water Mill, NY
Federal Mahogany and Birch inlaid secretary/desk with contrasting veneers and bone pulls.
Category

1790s American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Birch, Mahogany

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 Desks

Materials

Brass

Federal Partners' Desk in Mahogany, Philadelphia, circa 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful Philadelphia partners desk in mahogany with gadrooned top and apron resting on center pedestal with carved baluster and legs, and ending in brass casters with lions' paw ...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Fall-Front Desk
Located in Buchanan, MI
Handsome and functional Regency mahogany fall front desk, server, entry way piece, great inlay, elegant form. Exceptional exaggerated arched foot.
Category

19th Century North American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Mahogany, Satin

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Regency Partners Desk Walnut Library Desk
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Fantastic large partners desk in the Regency manner True partners desk with drawers and cupboards on both sides Features solid oak drawer linings and brass drop handle Good size so p...
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1980s Vintage Federal Desks

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19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality and impressive standard grade American walnut Wootton Desk Co. "Wells Fargo" desk, of substantial form, with three quarter galle...
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19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

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Fabulous Quality Early 20th Century Mahogany and Inlaid Carlton House Desk
Located in Martlesham, GB
A fabulous quality freestanding early 20th Century mahogany and inlaid Carlton house desk, the super structure comprising of four mahogany inlaid drawers at the centre with original ...
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1910s British Vintage Federal Desks

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Antique English Adams Decorated Satinwood Drop-Front Desk, 18th-19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique English Adam decorated drop-front desk offers satinwood construction with slant front having neoclassical reserve of woman and cherub in co...
Category

19th Century English Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Wood, Satinwood

American Mahogany Partner's Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Mahogany Partner's Desk with glass knobs. Top refinished and everything else cleaned and ready to go! Two wide drawers per each side with smaller drawers below. Beautiful c...
Category

1880s American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Mahogany

American Mahogany Partner's Desk
American Mahogany Partner's Desk
H 29 in W 58 in D 35.5 in
Important Louis Majorelle Art Nouveau Bookcase Desk Desk-Chair & Filing Cabinet
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique museum quality, 4-piece Parisian Art Nouveau office furniture set. As far as we know, this is the most complete, Louis Majorelle office furniture set that has been offered in the world in the past 50 years. Most collectors and enthousiasts will know how rare a set like this is, but what makes it even more astonishing is its condition. Apart from the leather on the back of the original desk chair, this set could hardly be in better condition and it would certainly grace any museum for applied arts. The only known office set that comes close to this original and complete set is in the collection of the MAAS museum in Sydney, Australia. So if you are looking for an original, great condition and very rare, antique office interior by one of the world's best Art Nouveau designers then this is your chance. We are convinced it will be the only one you'll ever get. Also, because the Majorelle filing cabinet in this set is the first one of its kind that we have ever seen. For this amazing set of four we have created three listings so that we are able to show you enough pictures of the many hand carved and hand-crafted wooden, bronze, glass and design details per item. Mind you, this stunning and almost 8 feet tall 'bibliotheque' or 'library bookcase' is the first one of the three listings that, together, show and describe this unique Louis Majorelle office of amazing quality and beauty. In image 8 of this listing is a photo of the complete set as shot in one of our facilities. This here Majorelle bookcase is the largest and best condition specimen that you will ever see and the workmanship is as good as you will ever be able to find. The deeply hand carved organic plant motifs are simply amazing and these motifs are to be found in all four pieces that this set consists of. What makes this stunning and predominantly solid nutwood bookcase extra special are the inlaid geometrical patterns in both the door panels and in the sides. However, the most impressive and aesthetically special features are the mint condition art glass panels with the top quality forged and hand hammered brass details in the upper part of each door. These metal worker's details, by the way, are the same organic plant motifs as the hand carved ones in the legs and in the 'roof' of this largest ever Majorelle cabinet (as shown in image 9 of this listing). Especially with the doors open you can see the vivid irridescent colors that are in the glass art panels. Below these art glass panels in the doors are large and also superb condtion, beveled glass windows. All the bookshelfs inside of this work of art bookcase are height adjustable and all are in very good condition too. All three doors come with perfect working locks and each door has its own bronze Majorelle designed key (one key is original and we had two more cast). Finally, this antique and museum quality, Art Nouveau gem...
Category

Early 20th Century French Federal Desks

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Iron

90" Baker Executive Partners Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
Baker partners desk Stunning pedestal leather top executive desk made by BAKER. Functioning drawers on both sides serve as guest or partner de...
Category

1980s American Vintage Federal Desks

Materials

Burl

90"  Baker Executive Partners Desk
90"  Baker Executive Partners Desk
H 30.5 in W 90 in D 45 in
Large Embossed Green Leather Top Flame Mahogany Double Pedestal Federal Desk
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Embossed Green Leather Top Flame Mahogany Double Pedestal Federal Desk
Category

20th Century American Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique Walnut Desk, Slant Front Desk, Drop Front Bureau, Scotland 1910
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Walnut Desk, Inlaid Walnut Slant Front Desk, Drop Front Bureau, Antique Furniture, Scotland 1910, H1141 + Scotland 1910 + Solid Walnu...
Category

1910s Scottish Vintage Federal Desks

Materials

Walnut

Danish Rosewood Desk and Bookcase with Sliding Doors, 1950
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A beautiful Danish rosewood desk cabinet with upper shelving. Features adjustable shelving with additional storage behind the 2 sliding doors and an extendable writing surface. Has a...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Federal Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Teak Roll Top Desk or Dresser
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Scandinavian Modern teak roll top desk or dresser. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. It has some visible wear, particularly in the top, so you can see some scratches and dings. And it has a newly modified recessed black painted base as it encountered water at some point in its life and could not be refinished so we revamped it, modified, and painted the base black. There are some small rings on the desktop. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. Need a GORGEOUS desk but have limited space? Well, here it is…. the perfect desk! This is a very handsome smaller roll top desk...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Federal Desks

Materials

Teak

19th Century English Walnut Desk
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A charming walnut desk. Made in England in the late 19th century. Lovely patine throughout. Panneled back, leather inset, castor wheels. Chairspace is 62.5 H x 52 W cms.
Category

1890s British Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century English Walnut Desk
19th Century English Walnut Desk
H 30.32 in W 47.64 in D 25.6 in
Previously Available Items
Federal Mahogany Secretary Desk With Bookcase Attributed to Imperial Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Federal style bureau with tambour doors, fold-out desk, and bookcase hutch top Attributed to Imperial Furniture of Grand Rapids USA, circa 1940s Carved flame mah...
Category

1940s American Vintage Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

19th Century Poplar Federal Slant Front Flip Top Schoolmasters Desk
Located in Southampton, NJ
A stunning piece of history in this circa 1860 American Slant Front Schoolmasters desk constructed with Poplar wood with hand carved geometric legs t...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Steel

New England Birch Slant Front Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice early 19th century Federal Birch New England Slant Lid Desk likely New Hampshire in origin around 1800-1830. Made of solid Birch with four large graduated inlaid drawers...
Category

Early 19th Century North American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Birch

New England Birch Slant Front Desk
New England Birch Slant Front Desk
H 40.75 in W 37.5 in D 18.5 in
Exceptional Bench Made George Washington Desk in Tiger Maple
Located in Milford, NH
A fine quality bench made George Washington desk in tiger maple, with rectangular top featuring two removable graduated document or stationary b...
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

American Federal Mahogany Secretary Desk Chest of Drawers, circa 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
An interesting and somewhat unusual secretary desk constructed in two parts with an upper case that lifts free of the lower base for safe transport. It is designed with a series of e...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique American Federal Classical Period Mahogany Butler's Secretary Dresser NY
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American Federal Classical period mahogany and maple butler's secretary, dresser desk, circa 1830. New York or Baltimore. The dresser ...
Category

1830s American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

Federal Style Mahogany & Cherry Tambour Secretary Desk and Bookcase
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful Sheraton, Federal style, two part Mount Vernon Hickory Chair Company cherry secretary with crossbanded mahogany veneers, its upper case with a molded cornice surmounting ...
Category

1990s American Federal Desks

Materials

Cherry, Mahogany, Satinwood

Federal Mahogany Sideboard or Server with Butler’s Desk, Boston, circa 1810
By Seymour School
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a figured mahogany veneered sideboard or server with fitted hidden butler’s desk with drop down leather writing surface and compartmentalized interior, surmounting ...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

American Early 19th Century Mahogany Partner's Pedestal Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early 19th century American mahogany partner's pedestal desk featuring embossed brown leather top, moulded edge and 8 drawers below with center knee hole.  
Category

Early 19th Century North American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Diminutive American Federal Mahogany Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
19th century mahogany writing table or desk made in the federal style in a diminutive scale. The table is fronted by two storage drawers with round brass pulls. Supported by elegant ...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Southern Federal Walnut Slant Front Desk, Piedmont Region Virginia 1800-1820
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This Southern Federal solid walnut desk, dating to circa 1800-1820 and made in the Piedmont Region of Virginia, features a stringed slant front center...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique Sheraton Flame Mahogany Tambour Secretary Desk, circa 1830
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Sheraton Tambour secretary offers deeply striated mahogany construction with upper double door cabinet over two lower drawers and surmount...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Desks

Materials

Metal

Federal desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal desks 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 desks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal desks 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 desks, popular names associated with this style include and Baker Furniture Company. 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 desks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,516 and tops out at $18,500 while the average work can sell for $4,675.

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