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.
Dome Shape Top Glass Shelves Two Drawer Compartment Curio Display Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Lovely vintage curio display cabinet with glass shelves and 2 bottom drawers compartment. Has built in light.
Mahogany
Individual Glass Pane Double Doors Pencil Inlay Flame Mahogany Show Case
Located in Rockaway, NJ
C. 1920s flame mahogany individual glass panes double doors display cabinet curio showcase.
Mahogany
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...
Mahogany
Bronze and Glass Etagere Shelf by Milo Baughman c. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Architectural, voguish, stylish freestanding shelf unit, design attributed to Milo Baughman. This model is particularly chic in the brass, bronze finish, it is more commonly found i...
Bronze
Pair Campaign Style Curio Display Cabinets by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Dallas, TX
We are very pleased to offer a great pair of gorgeous, sleek and minimalist display cabinets made by the famous Henredon furniture makers, made in the USA. Part of Henredon’s early 1...
Brass
$6,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 86.42 in W 55.32 in D 20.08 in
Antique French Carved Oak Vitrine Cabinet Bookcase Barley Twist Renaissance
Located in Miami, FL
Antique French carved oak vitrine cabinet bookcase barley twist renaissance from France. A gorgeous antique French bookcase cabinet, unusually...
Bronze
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 50 in W 39.5 in D 11.5 in
Antique Austrian Entry Glass Curio Display and Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black painted set glass case and Mirror circa 1900s mirror is sold so only Glass Curio Display . USA continental in home delivery 2-4 weeks $300
Wood
Antique Chinese Chippendale Display Cabinet, Circa 1880, Glass Shelves
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Chinese Chippendale style display cabinet. Beautiful detail with three glass shelves plus the bottom shelf. Fitted with ...
Glass, Wood
$3,316
H 54.73 in W 17.33 in D 29.53 in
English antique wood and original glass display cabinet, with shelves, 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
Antique wooden display case, with internal shelves and original glass from the time. Of English origin and dating back to the first half of...
Glass, Wood
$14,550 / set
H 84 in W 36 in D 16 in
Pair Modern Black Lacquered & Brass Curio Display Cabinets by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of modern Mastercraft black lacquered, brass and glass display cabinets or vitrines. These beautiful cabinets feature a burnished brass over a black lacquered frame, three adjus...
Brass
$3,398
H 56 in W 27.5 in D 13 in
Rare Jugendstil or Art Nouveau Etagere Table / Stand with Glass Display Cabinet
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish and practical Art Nouveau table with built-in display cabinet. This multi-layer and multipurpose piece of Art Nouveau furniture is a great example of the creative and elegan...
Glass, Wood
$990
H 29.5 in W 27 in D 17 in
Antique English Six-Pane Glass and Mahogany Display Showcase Vitrine, c. 1900
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique mahogany six-pane glass shop display case, England, circa 1900. A large, heavy display case featuring original wavy glass housed within a solid mahogany frame with a vertica...
Glass, Mahogany
$3,867
H 68.12 in W 52.37 in D 12.6 in
Rustic Kitchen Display Cabinet with Doors, Shelves and Drawers in the Lower Part
Located in Marbella, ES
Rustic Kitchen Display Cabinet with Doors, Shelves and Drawers in the Lower Part
Glass, Wood
19thC English Painted Astragal Glazed Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1880 19thC English Painted Astragal Glazed Bookcase Cabinet With keys and working locks (2 parts) W126 x D42 x H215 Base: W120 x D42 x H...
Pine
19thC English Glazed Oak Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1870 19thC English Glazed Oak Bookcase Cabinet Adjustable Shelves and original hardware with good form and colour. With original Key for top cabine...
Oak
Elegant Satinwood Display Cabinet On Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A delicate and light colored Cabinet with decorative Federal elements. The cabinet in fine satinwood with broken bonnet crest and carved cornice. The d...
Glass, Satinwood
Sold
H 97.75 in W 44.5 in D 24.75 in
Fine Quality Centennial Federal Solid Mahogany Individual Glazed Corner Cabinet
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Mahogany
Sold
H 87 in W 69 in D 13 in
Baker Federal Sheraton Style Shallow Depth China Cabinet Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful Baker mahogany breakfront. This two piece breakfront measures 87 tall x 69 wide x 13 inches deep so it can be used in many places that deeper breakfronts can't be...
Mahogany
Sold
H 61 in W 51.25 in D 18.25 in
19th Century English Inlaid Mahogany Curved Glass Bookcase or Display Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique inlaid mahogany curved glass curio china display cabinet or bookcase England, late 19th century Inlaid mahogany, glass, ve...
Brass
Skinny Bubble Glass Standing 7.5' Tall Bookcase Cabinet Storage
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice quality unusual shape cabinet or bookcase.