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, 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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Style: Federal
Virginia Metal Crafters Federal Style Polished Brass Dolphin Fireplace Tool Set
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite set of Federal Style Polished Brass Dolphin Fireplace Tool Set by Virginia Metal Crafters. Excellent vintage condition.
Vir...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Pine Mantelpiece, 1900-50
Located in Kenilworth, IL
American Federal style mantelpiece with a projecting mantle shelf over an entablature of triglyphs and metopes supported by flanking pilasters and a central tablet. The upper mantle ...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of Early 19th Century Federal Hepplewhite Mirrors with Pineapple Finals
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of American Federal Hepplewhite Mirrors with Pineapple Finials. Wonderful pediment shaped eglomise panels with floral gilt. Gilded balls and columns. A true pair. Possibly Al...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Mid 20th Century Hickory Chair Mahogany Traditional Console Table
Located in Elkton, MD
Small console table by Hickory chair company. Features two side compartments with doors and a central drawer. Brass details.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Academic Revival Federal Mahogany Heart Back Side Chairs, 1900-25
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of Academic Revival heart back mahogany side chairs with half rail upholstered boxed seats in indigo fabric with brass nail head tacks. The front le...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Antique 19th Century American Federal Mahogany Carved Sofa Settee
Located in Dayton, OH
A Very Fine American Federal Period Carved Mahogany Sofa, circa 1830. Features a bowfront frame with sloped arms leading to reeded supports. The sofa is supported by turned and reede...
Category
1830s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage American Brass Federal Eagle Door Knocker
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine vintage American Federal eagle brass door knocker, circa 1950. This regal door knocker is nicely cast, solid and heavy, in the form of a stately eagle with a center shield des...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Antique American Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa Settee Boston Massachusetts
Located in Dayton, OH
A Very Fine American Federal Period Carved Mahogany Sofa, circa 1810. Features a bowback frame with cross banding. Sloped arms lead to reeded supports in front of remarkable three-di...
Category
1810s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage American Bald Eagle Brass Bookends a Pair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage American Bald Eagle Brass Bookends a Pair
Beautiful detail on this 1950s pair of American Bald eagle head bookends.
Nice set of large brass American Bald Eagle bookends.
This...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Handsome Versatile Mahogany Night Stand with Two Drawers & Slide
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant vintage mahogany night stand having wonderful shape with top and bottom drawer, slider that pulls out under the top drawer, and open storage area above the lower drawer. Bra...
Category
1950s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Aaron Willard Boston Federal Shelf Clock Arched & Inlaid Pediment/ Mahogany Case
Located in Savannah, GA
This magnificent shelf clock has an arched and inlaid pediment over a painted dial that is signed "Aaron Willard, Boston," fancifully painted within cartouche with laurel wreath and ...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Tin
Early 20th Century American Cast Iron & Brass Federal Eagle Door Knocker
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique early 20th Century American Federal eagle black cast iron and brass door knocker. This regal door knocker is nicely cast, solid and heavy, with a lovely patina. It wou...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Federal Style Sewing Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Vintage Condition
Category
1950s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
American Mahogany Drop Leaf Barley Twist Work Table with Orig. Brasses, C. 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal Mahogany drop leaf three drawer work table with incised carvings, original circular foliage brasses, key hole escutcheons, and resting on bulbous ringed barley twist...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Demilune Console Tables with Marquetry Inlay
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant pair of demi-lune console tables or center table made in the federal style. The tables feature veneered tops with amazing marquetry inlay on the frieze. Each table has an inl...
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 20th Century Federal Style Mahohany Side Table Candle Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Federal Style Mahohany Side Table
Measures 14.75" in width, 14.75" in depth and stands 21.5" tall.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 20th Century Four-Tier Mahohany Bookmatched Top Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th Century Federal Style Four-Tier Mahohany Bookmatched Top Side Table in great vintage condition. Measures 20" in width, 16" in depth and stands 27" tall.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Display Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Display Cabinet measuring 35.5" in width, 12" in depth and stands 42.5" tall. Lower
Cubes are 11.75" high, middle cubes are 10" and top cubes...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
William Cummens Federal Mahogany Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial circa 1820
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Federal mahogany tall case clock with a delicate fretwork crest, adorned with three ball and spire brass finials, surmounting an arched form glass door, opening to a h...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
Henkel Harris Federal Inlaid Cherry Wood Flip Top Console Game Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style flip top demilune console game table
By Henkel Harris
USA, 1990s
Beautiful cherry wood, with inlaid ebony and satinwood marquetry.
Measure...
Category
1990s American Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Ebony, Satinwood
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Federal Mahogany Demilune Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal or Hepplewhite style demilune cabinet or sideboard server
By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection
USA, Circa 1980s
Beautiful mahogany, with ori...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 25" H x 66.5" W x 4.75" D.
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fine Federal Period Sheraton Mahogany Card or Gaming Table circa 1800
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal Period, Sheraton mahogany card or gaming table with turret corners, checkered inlay around the folding top edge, a shaped frieze with an oval patera, all ...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton (Anglo-American: 1799 - 1849), circa 1830s, an oil on canvas half-length portrait of a sea captain holding a spygl...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Pair Antique Federal Carved Mahogany Night Stands
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Shows Patina from Age & Use
Dimensions: 29.50”H x 18”W x 14.50”D
Category
1920s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique American Federal Carved Giltwood Pier Mirror Églomisé Panel NY 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American Federal period, Classical giltwood eglomise pier mirror, New York, circa 1815.
The mirror with a stepped cornice and applied gilt spheres, below are bands of ...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Very Fine Quality Tufted Wingback Chair From Charles Stewart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made and large Tuft Back Wing Chair with fine form and great comfort. Upholstered in a handsome striped Velvet with a nice soft hand and having flat-panel arms bearing Co...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Antique 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
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Kittinger Federal Inlaid Mahogany Ten-Drawer Dresser, Newly Refinished
By Kittinger
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal or Georgian style ten-drawer dresser or chest of drawers
By Kittinger
USA, Circa 1960s
Gorgeous mahogany, with satinwood inlay, and original brass hardware....
Category
1960s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early American Federal Chest of Drawers in Bookmatched Mahogany
Located in Hopewell, NJ
From the Federal period, a very beautiful American Neoclassical chest of drawers in fine bookmatched mahogany with one overhanging drawer supported on the sides by two beautifully tu...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Hand-Carved and Hand-Painted Bellamy Eagle with Shield
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a vintage Bellamy-style carved wooden eagle. This late 19th century to early 20th century wood eagle is bronze-brushed with a painted red, white, and blue shield and a b...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Aaron Willard Boston Mahogany Shelf Clock w/ Eglomisé Painting & Eagle Finial
Located in Savannah, GA
Popularized at the turn of the 19th century in coastal Massachusetts, these handsome shelf clocks are subsequently referred to as Massachusetts shelf clocks. This decorated example ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Hand-Carved Folk Eagle, Early to Mid 20th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a stunning early to mid 20th century hand-carved bald eagle. The eagle is carved out of one large piece of wood, making the intricate detailing on the feathers and beak that ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
1840 Map of the City of Washington Published by William M. Morrison
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This map, printed in 1840, is a detailed representation of Washington, D.C. in the mid-19th century. The map shows block numbers, wards, and government buildings as well as details o...
Category
1840s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair Of Federal Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
With arched backs with pierced splats with small carved rosettes. Drop in seats and raised on square tapered legs with H form stretchers.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Blockfront Secretary Writing Desk. Made from mahogany with a high sheen finish. This exception example of a late 18th century p...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Two Part Cherry Corner Cupboard circa 1820
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal two part corner cupboard, its upper case with a single glass door, opening to a light green painted interior with two shelves, over a lower case with two ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th c American Cherry Two Part Step Back Cupboard w/Tiger Maple Drawer Fronts
Located in Milford, NH
A fine cherry two part step back cupboard, its upper case with a molded cornice surmounting a center three panel window, flanked by two glazed glass doors which open to a light blue ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Cherry, Maple
Vintage "1776" Brass American Eagle Bookends by Colonial Virginia
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
These appealing vintage brass bookends depict a bald eagle preparing for flight after perching on a base inscribed with “1776.” The bookends were made by Colonial Virginia, a crafter...
Category
1970s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
1800's American Federal Period 2 Drawer Side Table
Located in Louisville, KY
This gorgeous American Federal period table is a beautiful reflection of the early 1800's. With hand turned legs, unique irregular lines and curves that display a master builder's ha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of 2 Hitchcock Black Federal Side Chairs, Rush Seats.
By Hitchcock
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of 2 Hitchcock Black Federal Side Chairs, Rush Seats.
These vintage Hitchcock chairs are black lacquer painted and embellished with ochr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Rush, Wood
Federal Lyre Base Card Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice Federal Mahogany Lyre / harp base card table 1800-1815. Original surface with an excellent color and patina on the nicely figured solid Cuban Mahogany one board canted ...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage George Washington Standing Bookends
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a vintage set of George Washington bookends. The bookends depict George Washington standing, with his hand resting on a classical column. Washington wears a suit with long...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Banded Mahogany Federal Style Compact 50" Wide Sideboard Credenza Buffet MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded Mahogany Federal Style Compact 50" Wide Sideboard Credenza Buffet MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mahogany Federal Style Silver Chest by Henkle Harris
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mahogany Federal Style Silver Chest by Henkle Harris. The medium colored mahogany with a burl center panel with lift up top to reveal several felt fitted drawers for silver flatware...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mid 20th Century Mahogany Traditional Federal Wall Mirror
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Traditional Federal style wall mirror, unbranded, similar quality to Drexel or Lexington. Mirrored glass, mahogany frame with pediment and center finial to top. Made in the USA, in...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century American Federal Style Overmantel Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th Century American Federal style gilt wood mirror is a quintessential example of the elegance and symmetry that define the Federal design aesthetic. Its frame, adorned with s...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Md-Century Federal / Sheraton Style Carved Mahogany Sofa
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a vintage Federal or Sheraton style carved mahogany sofa attributed to Hickory White Furniture. Note the tapered legs and arm supports. The upholstery is a cotton-linen ble...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany, Down
Large Federal Style Gilt Wood Tabernacle Pier Mirror
Located in Free Union, VA
A large and handsome American Federal Style mirror of very good quality in the Federal style, likely made in Italy in the second half of the 20th century. Clusters of colonnettes at ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Paint
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 Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
New England (Massachusetts) Federal Mahogany Hunt Board Inlaid Sideboard
Located in Free Union, VA
A striking breakfront sideboard from the Boston area with handsome maple cross banding around each drawer and cabinet and tiger maple inlay panels set into each stile. The top drawer...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Birch, Mahogany
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Dimensions : 104" Tall X 26" Wide X 15.5" Deep
This gorgeous grandfather clock was made in the late 19th ...
Category
1890s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Oak
Bonnet Top Highboy with Pinwheel Carvings & Impressive Size
Located in Milford, NH
A Queen Anne style bonnet top highboy with swan’s neck split pediment with urn form finials surmounting an upper case with three pinwheel carvings over three fitted drawers, the cent...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
Vintage Theodore Alexander Sheraton Style Mahogany Brown Leather Side Desk Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite late 20th century side chair by Theodore Alexander. Designed in the manner of Sheraton / Federal styling with a sculptural back and large seat over square tapered legs ...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Potthast Brothers Mid Century American Federal Mahogany Handcrafted Side Table
By Potthast Company
Located in Germantown, MD
A Potthast Brothers Mid-Century American Federal Mahogany Handcrafted Side Table in good vintage condition. Measures 18" in width, 15" in depth and stands 28.5" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Late 1700's American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Corner Cabinet w/ Dentil Molding
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 18th Century American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Corner Cabinet with an overhanging dentil molded cornice above the upper section with a diamond pattern individually glazed divided...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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, Kindel Furniture, Drexel, and Edward F. Caldwell & Co.. 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 $50 and tops out at $115,000 while the average work can sell for $2,800.
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