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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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Federal
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Note: You should always req...
Category
1820s American Antique 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
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
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
Large Honey Dark Amber Brown Burl Walnut Square Two Tier Coffee Table Wheel MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Honey Dark Amber Brown Burl Walnut Square Two Tier Coffee Table Wheel MINT
Category
20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany 2 Drawer Work Stand Side Table Nightstand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany 2 Drawer Work Stand Side Table Nightstand. Item features 2 dovetail constructed drawers, tapered legs, brass hardware, beautiful wood grain. Circa 1...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
1940s Mahogany Pinneaple Semi -Posters Full Size Bed Frame
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1940s Solid Mahogany pineapple Semi Posters Full Size Bed Frame. Measures 57" in width, 82" in length and 47" tall at the tip of the headboard p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
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
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
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
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
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
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
American Federal Mahogany “Martha Washington” Lolling Armchair ca. 1800
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID-MAHOGANY LOLLING "MARTHA WASHINGTON" ARMCHAIR
Massachusetts, ca. 1780-1800 purchased from Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc. of New York in 1966
Item # 401JNI25P...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid 20th Century American Federal Mahogany Trestle Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century American Federal dark Mahogany trestle Console Table.
Measures 30" in width, 11" in depth and stands 30" in height.
Very good vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
American Federal Style Mahogany Sideboard
By Tomlinson
Located in Elkton, MD
Vintage federal-style mahogany sideboard by Tomlinson of High Point with beautiful brass hardware. It features two large drawers in the middle,...
Category
1930s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Inlaid-Mahogany Card Game Table, Massachusetts ca. 1810
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID-MAHOGANY GAMES TABLE
North Shore, Massachusetts ca. 1810 Provenance: Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc. New York, label retained verso
Item # 401PKI25A
A very ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Kindel Federal Style Eagle and Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
Kindel Furniture Federal Style Eagle and Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror. Measures 20.75" in width and 45" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Federal Inlaid Mahogany Console Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style console table, sofa table, or entry table
By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection
USA, Circa 1980s
Mahogany, with inlaid satin...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
19th C. American Federal Floral Painted Bench
Located in Southampton, NJ
An Antique American Federal hand painted floral & fruits solid wood bench with rolled crest rail & scroll arms; most likely originating in Baltimore mid 19th c. Scarcely seen in thi...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Silk Broadside An Elegiac Poem Death of President George Washington 1800
Located in Portland, OR
An important & rare antique American political printed silk broadside, an elegy on the death of President George Washington, dated 1800.
A poem on the Death of President George Was...
Category
1790s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silk
Oval Light Burl Wood Banded Inlayed Federal Style Center Coffee Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Oval Light Burl Wood Honey Amber Tone Banded Inlayed Federal Style Center Coffee Table MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Burl
Antique SHERATON styled Mahogany SIDEBOARD / Server, c. 1910’s
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Exquisite Mahogany Sheraton style Sideboard, c. 1910. Stunning flame mahogany wood grains. This cabinet is raised on 6 square tapered legs with spade feet and castors at the ends. T...
Category
1910s Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1940s Mahogany Bobbing Semi Post Full Size Bed Frame
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1940s Solid Mahogany Bobbing Semi Posters Full Size Bed Frame on original wheels. Wheels are removable. Measures 57.25" in width, 82.75" in leng...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Portrait of George Washington, by William Matthew Prior, circa 1840s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Portrait of George Washington, by William Matthew Prior (American: 1806 - 1873), circa 1840s, an oil on board quarter-length portrait of George Washington, after the famous, ...
Category
1840s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Baker Furniture Inlaid Mahogany Federal Demilune Console or Entry Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal style demilune console table or entry table
By Laura Ashley for Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1990s
Mahogany, with inlaid floral marquetry.
Measures: 30"W x 14"D ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
c.1880s Fine One Drawer Inlayed Solid Crotch Mahogany Top Console Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
c.1880s Fine One Drawer Inlayed Solid Crotch Mahogany Top Console Table Server Petite Desk Sideboard w/ Backsplash MINT!
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Bombay Furniture Federal Style Mahogany Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Century Bombay Furniture Federal Style Mahogany Console Table in very good vintage condition.
Measures 35" in width, 15" in depth and stands 29.5" tall.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful diminutive size Federal style two part inlaid figured mahogany bookcase, its upper case with a shaped crest with three urn finials surmounting two bow front glass paneled...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Tea Table or Occasional Side Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style tea table or occasional side table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Mahogany, with beautiful satinwood inlaid marquetry, original ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Period American Federal Highly Carved Mahogany Sofa Circa 1800
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1800 American Federal highly carved mahogany sofa with scrolled carved headrest, curvelinear arms and outswept hairy paw feet upholstered in a vintage old striated velvet fabric
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Velvet, Mahogany
Mid 20th Century Solid Mahogany Federal Kidney Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century Solid Mahogany Federal Kidney Desk in great vintage condition. Top newly and professionally refinished and flawlessly working drawers
Measures 46" in width x 22" in...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Mahogany Églomisé Barley Twist and Acorn Wall Mirror, C. 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
American federal mahogany églomisé wall mirror with decorative carved acorn and barley twist motif. Mirror retains the original looking glass and wood backing, Early 19th century.
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paint, Pine, Mahogany, Mirror
19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome late 19th century drop-leaf dining table made in the Georgian influenced federal style. The mahogany table features a delicate satinwood thread inlay decorating the legs and...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Set of 4 Spaulding Federal-Style Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cups
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Federal-style sterling silver mint julep cups. Made by Spaulding & Co. (part of Gorham) in Chicago, ca 1920. Each: Straight and gently tapering sides and molded rims. A wond...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Federal Maryland Walnut Corner Cupboard
Located in Bradenton, FL
An exceptionally fine large two piece Federal Walnut architectural corner cupboard 1780-1800 attributed to the Frederick County area of Maryland s...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Period American Federal Period Maple Tilt Top Side Table Late 18th C
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Period Late 18th Century American Federal Period Maple Tilt Top Side Table with tripod pedestal base and a burl wood veneered top.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Maple
MINT Brass Gallery Crotch Mahogany Serpentine Front Federal Sideboard Thomasvill
Located in Rockaway, NJ
MINT Brass Gallery Crotch Mahogany Serpentine Front Federal Sideboard by Thomasville.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Federal Cherrywood Desk and Glassdoor Bookcase
Located in Sheridan, CO
A Late Federal Cherrywood Desk and Bookcase, Circa 1830.
This unique piece includes a folding desk and make a fabulous looking compact desk with plenty of storage in bookcase above. This was possibly a clerk's desk.
Includes plenty of storage and desk...
Category
Early 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
PAIR of Federal Style Mahogany CABINETS, c. early 1900's
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Pair of Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Cabinets. Each stand has five dovetailed drawers with glass flower shaped knobs. These would be perfect as nightstands, lingerie ca...
Category
1910s Vintage 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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