Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
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.
1
129
16
to
13
145
145
135
135
12,725
5,103
2,921
2,348
1,686
1,679
1,472
1,415
906
852
792
559
556
545
417
396
343
189
13
55
61
16
6
18
14
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
143
100
57
52
26
108
102
5
4
4
9
4
3
2
2
Style: Federal
American Federal Mahogany and Spanish Cedra Sugar Chest on Stand, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal mahogany and Spanish cedra one drawer hinged sugar chest on stand with carved molded edge, exposed dovetails, wooden knobs, silver escutch...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Silver, Iron
1940s Federal Style Brass And Inlaid Mahogany and Satinwood Sideboard
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a special piece! I love the size and inlaid details in the corners. This is a 1940s Federal style sideboard with brass gallery. The height from the floor to the serving surfa...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
American Federal Mahogany and Rosewood Diminutive Corner Cabinet, Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal two-piece mahogany and rosewood diminutive corner cabinet with a carved molded edge cornice, upper hinged mullion glass door with three fitted interior shelves, lowe...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Rosewood, Pine, Paint
American Federal Period China Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
Period American Federal, Possibly Baltimore, library or China cabinet. Mahogany of Hepplewhite form with symmetrically divided drawers in base and upper case with paned glass and ori...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Child's Camphor Wood Chest, Leather Bound and Brass Embellished
Located in Essex, MA
Early 19th century child's camphor wood chest
--Original black leather binding and brass tacks.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
American Federal Mahogany Bow Front Floral Satinwood Inlaid Sideboard Circa 1770
Located in Hollywood, SC
American federal mahogany bow front sideboard with satinwood sunburst floral inlaid outset corners, centered baized lined drawer with two flanking baiz...
Category
1770s American Antique Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical Federal Pedestal Sideboard in Mahogany, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A very long and elegant American Federal, pedestal sideboard in mahogany with mahogany inlaid bandings along the borders. Inspired by the classical architecture of ancient Greece and...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Rosewood Roll Top Secretary
Located in New York, NY
American Federal rosewood and maple interior roll top secretary with bronze and ebonized trim (Attributed to Leon Marcotte, N.Y.)
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Bronze
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Pine
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany, Satin
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Fine American Federal Mahogany Chest Of Drawers, Massachusetts, Ca. 1810
Located in Free Union, VA
A very fine example of a Boston area Sheraton mahogany chest of drawers, with turret corners and reeded stiles on tall legs, giving ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Vintage Mahogany Wood Federal Style Cedar Lined Blanket Chest Storage Trunk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mahogany Wood Federal Style Cedar Lined Blanket Chest Storage Trunk. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 18.5" H x 44.5" W x 21.5" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Corner Etagere with Drawer
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th century four-tier Federal Style corner shelf with one drawer measuring 22" in width, 16" in depth and standing 57.75" in height. Shelf clearances are 10.25".
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
1960s Federal Style Mahogany Drop-Leaf Rolling Buffet Bar Server Card
Located in Germantown, MD
1960s Federal style genuine mahogany drop-leaf rolling buffet server and bar cart with 3 drawers functioning perfectly, with dovetail joints cons...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
Tall Narrow Georgian Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk Individual Glass
By Reprodux
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Tall Narrow Georgian flame mahogany drop front secretary desk individual glass panes doors MINT!
Category
20th Century English Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Mahogany Drop Front Desk High Chest of Drawers
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful warm highboy dresser with drop-front secretary. Leather embossed writing surface with 3 drawer storage. Perfect size with versatility for an apartment or stately home. Rich...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Leather, Wood, Birdseye Maple
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
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 Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Federal Boston Mahogany Sideboard Attributed to the Seymour Workshop
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Federal Boston demilune Mahogany sideboard, with shaped top with delicate arrow inlay surmounting a conforming case with deep central frieze drawer flanked by smaller ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
American Mid Atlantic States Federal Style Sideboard
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With bow front, bold circular marquetry door fronts, string inlay, inlaid bell flowers on tapering legs, marquetry trim, brass drop pulls and escutcheon. The bottle drawers have been...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Federal case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Federal case pieces and storage cabinets 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 case pieces and storage cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal case pieces and storage cabinets 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 case pieces and storage cabinets, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, Drexel, Biggs Furniture, and Henredon. 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 case pieces and storage cabinets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $550 and tops out at $115,000 while the average work can sell for $3,800.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Black Carved Chest
Black Lacquer Case Display
Vintage Wooden Chest Drawers
Arch Pediment
Vintage Steel Chest
Beach Cabinet
White Chest Dresser
Antique Blue Painted Cabinets
Birds Eye Cabinet
Mirrored Chest Dresser
Black Marble Commode
Small Chinese Cabinets
Black And Marble Chest Of Drawers
Walnut Antique Display Cabinet
Bathroom Door
Brass Door Pull Pair
Walnut Burr Pair
Blue Painted Chest Of Drawers