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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
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

Pair American Mahogany Serpentine Inlaid Knife Boxes with Cutlery Interiors
Located in Charleston, SC
Wonderful pair of cutlery boxes with chevron inlay and sloped lid with an oval Patera surrounding a sea shell. These knife boxes have a Family History of being from Baltimore.
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

American Federal Four Poster Mahogany King-Size Bed, Early 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This elegant New York poster bed has some of the finest hand carving and delicate details making it a very fine example of a Federal bed. The solid mah...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Poplar, Mahogany

Federal New York Pier Mirror, Late 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Classic Greek and Egyptian motif mirror has vertical pillars flanking mirror panels framing the central split looking glass. The cornice of the mirror has a Classic Adams Urn...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

19th Century Boston Gilt Convex Mirror Labeled William Balch
Located in Charleston, SC
This 1830s Boston convex mirror has a wonderful scrolled frame with a foliate crest centered on the four quarters. The central feature of the frame has an oak leaf ring...
Category

1830s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood, Gesso

Early 19th Century American Federal Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Charleston, SC
This magnificent carved and gilt wood, circa 1820-1840, Federal Mirror has foliage in a Classical urn finial between opposing Cornucopias. The Cornucopias frame an ovoid shaped mirro...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Early 19th C American Dolphin Giltwood Sconces
Located in Charleston, SC
A pair of dolphin sconces made of carved wood gilt featuring two candle arms. Dolphin-form items are rare and highly demanded among collector's.
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Wood

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King Size Mahogany Plantation Poster Bed by Leighton Hall
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is a new traditional king size mahogany Plantation poster bed by Leighton Hall Furniture. It’s design was inspired by Car...
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2010s American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

King Size Mahogany Rice Carved Poster Bed by Leighton Hall
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is a new traditional king size mahogany rice carved poster bed by Leighton Hall Furniture. It’s design was inspired by p...
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2010s American Federal Furniture

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Mahogany

King Size Mahogany Poster Bed by Leighton Hall
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is a new traditional king size mahogany poster bed by Leighton Hall Furniture. It’s design was inspired by traditional poster beds from the past and features hand carved fluted posts and a radial cut crotch mahogany headboard. Approximate dimensions: Width 85 in., depth 91 in., height 88 3/4 in., headboard height 62 in., Height from floor to bottom of box springs: 11 3/4 in. Height from floor to bottom of rails: 10 5/8 in. Space between rails (room for mattress/box springs): 79 3/4 in. Distance from headboard to footboard (room for mattress/box springs): 84 3/4 in. Optional features include optional finishes. The last two pictures (Rice Carved Poster Bed...
Category

2010s American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Carved 'Limestone' Painted Four Poster King Size Bed
Located in Westwood, NJ
A finely carved mahogany and 'limestone' painted four-poster king-size bed, the serpentine arched and molded edge headboard flanked by acanthus leaf and rice carved baluster turned p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th Century Carved Walnut Victorian Full Size Four Poster Bed
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Victorian style full size four poster bed, unbranded. Walnut and walnut veneers with four elaborately carved posts capped with pineapple shaped fi...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Metal

Louis the xvi Style Gilt and Painted Wood Mirror, French, 19th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This Louis the XVI style mirror is made of gilt and painted wood. This is a French work, 19th century.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

King Size Mahogany Four Poster Bed
Located in Annville, PA
A beautiful King Size Mahogany Four Poster Bed. A high quality King Size Bed with Hand Carved Flame Finial Posts. Each post unfastens with metal fas...
Category

2010s Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

King Size Mahogany Four Poster Bed
King Size Mahogany Four Poster Bed
H 94 in W 83 in D 89 in
Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
"Boat" bed in carved mahogany wood, 19th century. Head and feet of the same height, are decorated with a circular molding, while the rear, by harmony, follows the lines of the front...
Category

19th Century European Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
H 59.85 in W 85.83 in D 50.4 in
American Walnut Satinwood Inlaid Valuables Box with Original Feet, Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Chippendale walnut oval satinwood inlaid valuables box with a carved molded hinged lid revealing an interior till with a secret hidden drawer, e...
Category

1780s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

Antique English Mahogany Table Box With Divided Interior
Located in Forney, TX
A high quality mahogany table box from the early 20th century. English Edwardian period, rectangular chest form with fine quality brass hinged lid, opening to reveal a divided inte...
Category

Early 20th Century English Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fabulous Late 19th Century Inlaid Bed
Located in Dublin, IE
A fabulous late 19th Century inlaid mahogany five foot wide bed, finely hand carved, richly patinated and inlaid with stunning detail throughout. The moulded foot and headboard both feature a centred broken swan neck pediment flanked with carved scroll and finial detail to the sides, raised over a series of four arc's, all intricately inlaid with exquisite marquetry panels, depicting scrolling foliate and flowerhead motifs. The foot board also has a further series of an arrangement of beautifully hand carved pierced panels...
Category

19th Century English Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Fabulous Late 19th Century Inlaid Bed
Fabulous Late 19th Century Inlaid Bed
H 60 in W 60 in D 83.5 in
Claydon Pier Mirrors
By Luke Lightfoot
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
An exceptional pair of rectangular carved pier mirrors, inspired by the Chinese Room of Claydon. The elaborate carved decoration following the style of Luke Lightfoot...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Federal Furniture

Materials

Paint, Wood, Gesso

Claydon Pier Mirrors
Claydon Pier Mirrors
H 80 in W 40.25 in D 15 in
Previously Available Items
Baltimore Inlay Oval Work Table, Early 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
A rare sophisticated Baltimore satinwood inlay oval work table / sewing table. This American oval table is Mahogany with inay Satinwood. The work table...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

18th Century Federal Cherry Southern Sideboard
Located in Charleston, SC
Majestic solid cherry Southern sideboard with unusual faux drawers on each side. This monumental sideboard has a one board solid cherry top and all ...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Cherry

19th Century American Bell Jar Lantern Etched with Full Rigged Ships
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare 19th century American etched bell jar lantern with ships. This Classic Federal bell jar has an etched theatrical drape border around the top with...
Category

Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Early 19th Century Brass Mounted American Nursery Fender
Located in Charleston, SC
This early 19th century brass-mounted American nursery fender has an ember pan.
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wire

19th Century Brass and Steel American Fire Tools on Stand
Located in Charleston, SC
These 19th century American fire tools on a stand are brass and polished steel with urn finials. The set consists of the stand, shovel brush, poker, and tongs.
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Late 18th Century Virginia Federal Black Walnut Upholstered Wingback Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
A Virginia federal wingback chair made of black walnut, circa 1770, featuring new ivory damask upholstery and original casters.
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Early 19th C Boston Mahogany Card Table
Located in Charleston, SC
This is an 1800's Boston card table with a book-matched top, revealing a mahogany top when open. This piece features flame mahogany with ebony string...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Satinwood

Early 19th C Boston Mahogany Card Table
Early 19th C Boston Mahogany Card Table
H 28.75 in W 36 in D 18 in
Late 18th C American Grandfather Clock by John Scudder, Westfield, NJ
Located in Charleston, SC
This magnificent American grandfather clock was made in New Jersey, circa 1790 and retains its original paper label that bears the maker's name, John Scudder. The grandfather clock features federal style inlay with a top broken cornice with pinwheel disks framed with turned wood and unique three finials. The original inside dial has four faces; two different moons, a ship, and a windmill. The dial is protected by a replaced mahogany dial door and flanked by two applied columns. The body of the clock features beautiful federal inlay...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Late 18th C Virginia Mahogany and Pine Sideboard
Located in Charleston, SC
This sideboard was made in Virginia during the late-18th century, circa 1790. This sideboard features three center drawers with circle inlay and two long drawers on each side each wi...
Category

1790s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Pine

Mid 19th C Boston Globe with Mahogany Stand by Gilman Joslin
Located in Charleston, SC
This American globe was made in Boston in the first half of the 19th century. This piece was crafted by Gilman Joslin, a famous globe maker and woodworker residing in Boston in the 1...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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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