Federal Furniture
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, 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 a collection of antique Federal tables, mirrors, storage cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Federal
Decorative Crafts Italian Federal Style Inlaid Satinwood Cabinet / Breakfront
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a fabulous cabinet! It is an Italian cabinet by Decorative Crafts. It is a combination of satinwood, mahogany, and cherry woods. The top portion is lined with an embossed ivo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Cherry, Mahogany, Satinwood
Vintage Baker Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Demilune Console or Entry Table
Located in Fort Washington, MD
An exceptional petite Hepplewhite or Federal style demilune console table or entry table be Baker Furniture Company.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Federal Antique 1825 Drop Front Secretary Desk, Cherry & Tiger Maple
Located in Charleston, SC
Antique 19th century slant front desk. Desk has a Chippendale style. The wood is cherry. It has many features: Fitted interior, pull-outs, four drawers, hand dovetail construction, b...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early Kirk Classical Silver Teapot with Assay Marks
Located in New York, NY
Classical silver teapot. Made by Samuel Kirk in Baltimore in 1828. Ovoid with leaf-capped high-looping handle and leaf-capped tapering spout. Cover hinged and domed with flower finia...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
Mahogany Banded Inlay Drop Leaf Silver Drawer 5 Drawers Server Cart on Wheels
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mahogany Banded Inlay drop leaf silver drawer 5 drawers Expandable server cart cabinet on wheels MINT!.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
New York Classical Coin Silver Pap Boat by Gale, Woods & Hughes
Located in New York, NY
Classical coin silver pap boat. Ovoid bowl with elongated lip spout and capped s-scroll handle. Marked Gale, Woods & Hughes, a New York maker active in the 1830s and 40s. Weight: 2.5...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
American Federal Wire and Brass Fender with Scrollwork Decoration
Located in Wells, ME
American Federal Period thirty eight and a half inch wire and brass fender with artistic decorative scrollwork over arched wire verticals surmounted b...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wire
Antique 19th Century American Federal Giltwood Eagle Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 colonies around ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
1920s Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Federal Style Fold-Top Console or Card Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th century Mahogany and satinwood Inlaid Federal style Fold-Top Console or Card Table in very good antique condition.
Measures 36" in width, 17" in depth folded and 34" i...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 8 Late Federal Period Hitchcock Chairs
Located in Doylestown, PA
A nice set of 8 Hitchcock style chairs, late Federal Period circa 1840, in original faux-mahogany painted finish with stencil and parcel gilt decoration, the set includes two armchai...
Category
1840s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
Fine Antique Upholstered Armchair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly refined Antique Armchair with soft honey tone wood and elegant form. With a tall shaped crest rail and carved sloping arm supports. Raised on square front legs with st...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Antique American Mahogany Candlesticks, Original Bobeches, U.S.a, circa 1900
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique American pair of mahogany candlesticks - lathe turned - original metal bobeches - original wool felt liners to the bases - unsigned - United States - circa 1900.
Good ant...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
Philadelphia Classical Coin Silver Bowl by Thomas Fletcher
By Thomas Fletcher
Located in New York, NY
Classical coin silver bowl. Made by Thomas Fletcher in Philadelphia, ca 1830. Round and lobed with flared and scalloped petal rim on raised foot. Foot rim has leaf, shell, and flower...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
Brass Antique German Classic Lustre Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Old chandelier with love and professionally restored in Berlin. electrical wiring works in the US. Re-wired and ready to hang. not one missing. Cabling completely renewed. Crystal, h...
Category
1950s Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
American Walnut Tall Case Clock by Solomon Gorgas
Located in Essex, MA
By Solomon Gorgas. Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania. Works just cleaned and in good working order. With arched bonnet with pinwheel inlay in the scrolls. Glazed door opening to enameled wo...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
18th Century American Federal Mahogany Inlaid Card Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality 18th century American federal mahogany inlaid card table, the half round top intricately inlaid, supported by a gateleg to the rear, opening to a baise lin...
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gilded Gold Wood Floor Mirror by John Richard
By John Richard
Located in Toledo, OH
Gilded floor mirror by John Richard. Mirror features a serpentine arched top with a paneled boarder throughout. Each section has a distressed mirror with a thin beveled edge. Carved ...
Category
20th Century North American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fine Pair of American Hekman Signed Flame Mahogany Flip-top Consoles Table
Located in Forney, TX
A fine pair of vintage richly figured flame mahogany demilune consoles / round games tables by high-quality American furniture maker Hekman Furniture, since 1922, Grand Rapids, Michi...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Pair Early 20th C. Hand Carved Continental Parcel Gilt Eagle Motif Wall Sconces
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of early 20th century hand carved eagle motif gilt wood wall sconces.
Nicely carved and made, will fit in with any traditional American decor.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
American Federal Tiger Maple Tripod Table
Located in New York, NY
Formerly the property of David Brenner together with a purchase receipt form Ruth Brenner.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Antique Federal Style Slant Front Magazine or Book Stand / Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An antique Federal style slant front magazine or book stand / cabinet.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pembroke Side Table Drop Leaf Federal Style Mahogany Inlaid by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Pembroke Drop Leaf ...
Category
1970s Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Curly / Birdseye Maple Twin Poster Beds
Located in Bradenton, FL
A beautiful pair of centennial era Curly and Birdseye Maple twin poster beds. The bed rails are held together with bed bolts and the frames fit a stan...
Category
1870s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Federal Drop-Leaf Table in Mahogany, circa 1825
Located in Miami, FL
A federal table in mahogany with drop-leaves, on turned legs with large leaf carvings and ending in casters. Offers one drawer with original wooden pull.
Open: 51 3/4" long x 39" wi...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Mahogany Oval Side Table W/ Shaped Brass Gallery Made by Baker Furniture
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Exquisite Baker Mahogany Oval Side Table with Shaped Brass Gallery, Fluted Apron, on Fluted Tapered Legs. Table has a glass
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Style Italian Carved Giltwood and Painted Round Convex Mirrors, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These have timeless appeal! From formal spaces to bathrooms, a pair of mirrors is a winner, and these are no exception. This is a large pair of Italian Federal style carved and paint...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Dunlap School Tiger Maple Two Part Highboy or High Chest
By Dunlap Cabinetmakers
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Dunlap School two part tiger maple highboy or high chest with a beautifully hand carved cornice with central radial fan and bas...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Massachusetts Mahogony Federal 2 over 4 Chest of Drawers
By Thomas Seymour, John & Thomas Seymour
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique American mahogany chest of drawers.
Likely Massachusetts.
With 2 over 4 drawer construction, turned feet & posts with car...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Early 19th Century American Baltimore Federal Parcel Gilt Writing Desk
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and rare early 19th century American Baltimore Federal painted writing table with fabulous parcel gilt detail throughout. The moulded to...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Baker Furniture Black Lacquered Pembroke Table
Located in Morgan, UT
Baker Furniture Black Lacquered Pembroke Table
Baker Furniture, USA, 1980s
19.25" Wide x 30" Deep x 28" High (40" wide with leaves ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Nightstand or Side Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style side table or nightstand
By Baker Furniture, "Colonial Williamsburg" Collection
USA, circa ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 19th Century American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 colonies around the inside ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Baker Furniture Federal Mahogany and Satinwood Marquetry Demilune Console Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style demilune console table, sofa table, or entry table
By Baker Furniture
USA, circa Mid-20th Century
Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood flo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Henredon Historic Natchez Federal Mahogany and Inlaid Satinwood Coffee Table
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal or Georgian style coffee or tea table
By Henredon, "Historic Natchez Collection"
USA, circa 1980s
Mahogany, with Eng...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Antique Brass Cannonball Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Bold form distinguish this pair of Antique Andirons. Large heavy andirons with cannonball tops mounted on thick square supports. The angled legs with flat feet, the back brass bars a...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Baker Furniture Federal Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs, Set of Six
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Federal or Hepplewhite style shield back dining chairs
By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection
USA, circa Late 20th century
Solid carved m...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Figured Maple Federal Tilt Top Tables
Located in Pasadena, CA
A pair of Federal tilt top candle stands is uncommon; a pair of figured maple spider leg tables in exceptional condition that has remained together for over 200 years is even more de...
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Birdseye Maple
Pair of Tall Tan Leather Wing Chairs on Solid Mahogany Stretcher Base Mint!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of tall tan leather wing chairs on solid mahogany stretcher base mint!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front Desk w Drawers Dresser
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front desk w drawers dresser.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1980s Henredon Banded Mahogany Federal Style Huntboard / Sideboard / Server
By Henredon
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely Henredon Federal style mahogany huntboard. The brass hardware is original, and it does have dovetail construction. The huntboard ha...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Antique Convex Mirror with Eagle Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved and gilt with a fine three- dimensional eagle crest holding a ball on a chain in its beak. It stands on a pedestal In an energetic pose with one wing up and one tucked under. ...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Federal Style Mahogany Queen Size Poster Bed by Henkel Harris, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Federal style queen size bed frame by Henkel Harris offers mahogany construction with turned posts, maker mark as photographed, 20th century.
Measures- 86.75''H x 67.25''W x 87....
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th C Crotch Mahogany Federal Drop Leaf Breakfast Dining Table with Drawer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th century Crotch Mahogany federal drop leaf breakfast dining table w/ drawer. Item Drop leaf sides, twin carved legs, (1) faux drawer, (1) dovetailed drawer, rolling caste...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Hollywood Regency Tole Lamps
Located in Nashville, TN
This is a beautiful pair of Hollywood Regency style Italian tole lamps! The bases are black marble with gold gilt leaves rising up from them to the ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Federal Brass Cannonball Cast Iron Fireplace Hearth Andirons, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Federal brass cannonball cast iron fireplace Hearth Andirons - a Pair. Item features solid brass construction, shapely legs, cast iron support...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Cartier American Federal Sterling Silver Water Pitcher
By Watson Silver, Cartier
Located in New York, NY
American Federal-style sterling silver water pitcher. Retailed by Cartier in New York, ca 1950. Gently curved body with round mouth, v-spout, and high-looping handle. Fully marked in...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Nest of Three Biggs Virginia Federal Style Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid
Located in Germantown, MD
A Nest of three Biggs Virginia federal style mahogany and satinwood inlaid. Tables measure: Largest table: 22"w x 15"D x 28"H, larger table 18"W x 14.5"D x 27.5"H, Smaller table meas...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
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 Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Alabaster End Tables or Plant or Display Collums
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Alabaster end tables or plant or display collums.
Hand carved highly figured Alabaster made in Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
French Federal Style Antiqued Chandelier, 6 Bulbs
Located in Plainview, NY
A stylish French federal style chandelier made in antiqued fashion. The metal frame has a beautiful pewter antique finish. The chandelier is e...
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Hand Carved Wooden Eagle with Shield and Arrows
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a vintage, Bellamy-style, hand carved wooden eagle. This late 19th century to early 20th century wood eagle is bronze-brushed with a painted red, white, and blue shield. It supports a shield in its right talon as the head looks to its left. In its left talon is a bundle of arrows.
When Charles Thomson put together the final design for the Great Seal, he placed a bundle of thirteen arrows in the eagle's left (sinister) talon. The official description specifies the bald eagle holding "in his sinister, a bundle of thirteen arrows." The thirteen arrows are tightly aligned – a symbol of "strength in unity" that's found in the traditional cultures everywhere, from the Romans to the Iroquois— in this case a nod to the unity of the original 13 colonies. The clutched shield has a blue chief. Twenty one alternating red and white stripes complete the shield design.
With carved detailed feathers and a dramatic expression, this stylized eagle is an interesting work of art. The relief carving is styled after John Bellamy, a well known folk artist made popular in the late 19th century for his stylized eagles and ship carvings...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Corinithian Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A plaster study of a corinthian column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Antique Federal Style Mahogany & Gold Gilt Eagle Wall Mirror
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Federal style wall mirror, unbranded. Mirror glass in a mahogany frame with gold gilt, decoratively carved throughout, gold escutcheon ornamentation to center of top & bot...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Paint
Late 19th Century King Size American Mahogany Four Poster Bed
Located in Charleston, SC
This wonderful New York Four Poster bed has a simple poplar headboard and tester for draping. The mahogany foot post have a block spade foot below the bed bolts. The post continue up...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Poplar
Set of Eight Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs from Bevan Funnell
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A exceptionally graceful and stately set from Bevan Funnell. Set of eight mahogany shield back dining chairs from Bevan Funnell featuring six side chairs and two arm chairs with shie...
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Fabric
Federal furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Federal furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, Drexel, Harvin Company, and Kindel Furniture. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $70 and tops out at $115,000 while the average work can sell for $2,800.
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