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Federal Dressers

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: Pennsylvania
Style: Federal
Drexel Heritage Cambridge Cherry Wood Four Drawer Dresser Chest
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drexel Heritage Cambridge Cherry Wood Four Drawer Dresser Chest. Item featured is a nice larger size, distressed finish, solid cherry wood construction, faux keyholes, quality Americ...
Category

Late 20th Century Federal Dressers

Materials

Cherry

Antique Mahogany Banded Satinwood Inlay 5 Drawer Federal Bachelor Chest Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique mahogany banded satinwood inlay 5 drawer federal bachelor chest dresser. Item features banded satinwood inlay, beautiful wood grain, working l...
Category

19th Century North American Antique Federal Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

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Vintage Four Drawer Dresser on Casters With Carved Wood Detailing.
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19th C. Yellow Pine Chest of Drawers
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American Federal Walnut Tall Chest of Drawers, Pennsylvania circa 1810-1820
Located in Shippensburg, PA
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American Federal Inlaid Chest of Drawers
Located in Shippensburg, PA
While the Hepplewhite form employing splayed french feet in case pieces is well developed, even common, this fine chest of drawers exudes a certain strength that is uncommon in Federal period works of the Hepplewhite style. The solid walnut and solid poplar construction gives it inordinate weight, but the intense lift of the feet, raising the apron sharply in the corners, eliminates the heaviness of the look. The projecting top is crafted of two boards, the last 3/4" along the front actually a continuation of the front of the chest up through the top, a somewhat unusual and perhaps unique construction method. Surrounding this is a dropped and applied molding over four graduated drawers, these with molded lips of the solid, each framed with hand dovetailed poplar boards with a deeply chamfered poplar bottom sliding into rabbets in the frame and tacked at the back with square nails. The dovetailing method is somewhat original, using very large dovetails at the front, smaller dovetails at the back, the lowest back dovetail squared on it's lower edge to receive the drawer bottom in the rabbet cut. Flanking these drawers are chamfered columns on either side. Both sides of the case are single solid planks of walnut, incredibly large boards with wonderful grain appearance. Five vertical poplar boards line the back of the case, these entirely undisturbed and nailed in neat rows, the boards on the far left and right sides continuing all the way to the ground. As a result of this construction method, the feet are in simply outstanding stable condition, despite the incredible weight being supported. The feet are entirely original, the interior blocking of each a complex and almost puzzle-like formation. The most interesting and visually striking aspect of this chest is the apron: an inlaid patera flanked by round inlaid pinwheels beneath a thin stringer-inlaid border that wraps around all three sides of the case. The apron is active and has great motion to it, the sides of the case with a deep scalloping that matures as it reaches the front of the chest where two sharper swells flank the half-moon patera inlay. We have not had the woods micro-analyzed, but the darker wood appears to be a cherry, while the lighter wood is a bit more elusive - perhaps being maple. The inlay on the chest is almost unquestionably of rural origin, probably completed in the same shop as the chest, with a certain roughness found in inlays that were not produced by specialists. The edges of the inlaid designs are filled with a black pitch, helping to finish the less than perfect fit. It is a fine work of high precision and showing a command of the materials that is admirable; we haven't found a highly similar example, but the distinct elements are quite quickly identified in furniture from Lancaster County and some examples from Chester County. Particularly the pinwheel, which is found with identical feet to the chest on several documented tall case clocks of the period (Wood & Kramer, f. 2-46, 2-44, 2-36, 2-31) in Lancaster County; an interesting Classical Walnut Inlaid Clothes Press with identical feet and the similar half-patera inlaid apron is preserved in the collection of the Chester County Historical Society (Schiffer, f. 113). This is a fine piece that exceeds expectations in every regard. Entirely untouched, the finish and removal of drawer dividers being the only change over the course of two hundred years, still retaining it's original hardware and locks while remaining in outstanding condition, this is a Pennsylvania chest of drawers...
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19th Century American Antique Federal Dressers

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Federal dressers for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal dressers 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 dressers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, mirrors, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal dressers 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 dressers, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, Drexel, Kittinger, and Reprodux. 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 dressers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $12,000 while the average work can sell for $2,650.

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