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 Ships From: USA
Style: Federal
Set of Burl Wood Oval Nesting Tables by Baker
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of oval Baker nesting stacking side end lamp tables stands.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Burl
Jewel Tone Fine Quality Antique Persian Malayer Narrow Horizontal Woven Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century horizontally handwoven Persian Malayer rug with a green field, accents in red and gold
Measures: 1'7" x 4'3".
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Stunning Room Size Traditional Rust Multiple Abrash Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Beautifl abrashes highlight this early 20th century Antique Persian Sarouk Ferehan. Rust Background with pretty shades in predominant blue and brown accents
Measures: 8'7'' x 11'7...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Miniature 4 Drawers Jewelry Letter Campaign Chest Dresser with Brass Drop Pulls
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mahogany miniature jewelry letter miscellanies chest with brass drop pulls.
Category
20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of American Federal Brass Urn Finial Shield Engraved Andirons. Phil. C 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American Federal brass andirons with shield engraved urn finials, shield engraved plinths, incised checkering lines, engraved swags on s...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Antique American Federal Broken Arch Mahogany Mirror with Urn Inlay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal broken arch Mahogany mirror with urn Inlay. Item features pencil inlay to frame, satinwood urn inlay to crest, carved mahogany frame...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Vintage Brass Urn & Marble Federal Style Branch Leg Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Brass Urn & Marble Federal Style Branch Leg Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 25.25" H x 12.5" W x 8.75" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Brass and Iron Hand Made Fireplace Tool Set With Stand
Located in Sheridan, CO
Exquisite set of hand made brass fireplace tools from England (late 1800s) along with hand forged iron brush from France (mid 1800s). Set includes shovel, fork, tongs, brush and stan...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of Antique Federal Style Chairs, circa 1890-1910
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of antique Federal style chairs, circa 1890-1910
EDC016.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Federal Period Mahogany Three Drawer Stand with Embossed Pulls c. 1820
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique Federal Period Mahogany Three Drawer Stand, dating to around 1820, exemplifies the refined elegance of Federal-period design. Crafted from rich mahogany, the piece displ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Federal Style Turned Brass & Cast Iron Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Federal Style Turned Brass & Cast Iron Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 18" H x 13" W x 18.25" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
Windsor Highchair In Original Paint Circa 1820
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful American, windsor, arrow-back high chair in original surface.
Circa 1820, this chair is in excellent condition with an incredible surface history.
The splayed legs are much...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple, Paint
A Federal Mahogany Mirror with Eagle Motif, American ca. 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Federal Mahogany Mirror with Gilt Eagle Crest and Bronze Dore Accents.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Late Federal Parquetry Candlestand
Located in Essex, MA
Circular top veneered with geometric kaleidoscope inlays. Banded edge and turned support ending on three S-scroll legs. Provenance: Estate of Michael Kittredge.
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
American Brass and Artistic Wire Work Fire Place Fender, New York, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass and artistic wire work fire place fender, New York. Early 19th century.
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wire
19th Century Leather Covered Box with a Domed Lid, Brass Handle and Hinges
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This small box for personal possessions (perhaps papers or letters), is covered in black leather and decorated with borders of brass tacks, including the letters A.T. on its lid, and...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Gilt and Ebonized Dolphin Foliage Convex Mirror. Circa 1800
By A. Belokopytoff
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal gilt carved wood convex mirror with a perched intertwined dolphin on a rocky ledge, ebonized reeded banding, circular ball m...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Glass, Wood, Ebony, Giltwood
Antique Tripple Rush Seat Solid Linen Upholstery Cushion Bench Sattee Sofa Mint!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very decorative antique tripple rush seat solid linen upholstery cushion bench sattee sofa mint!
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Rush, Chestnut
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
Pair of Chabby Chic White Painted Three Drawers Nightstands Lamp Tables
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of distressed vintage weathered look nightstands. Brass pulls.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Silhouettes of Livingston Family Members
Located in New York, NY
Snipping a profile from paper with scissors, and mounting the result to a contrasting sheet of paper, became a popular diversion among the European and American upper classes in the ...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Federal Bronze Clear Pebbled Glass Lantern Pendant
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th Century hanging lantern exudes timeless charm. Its bronze frame and clear pebbled glass showcase a classic design, capturing the essence of the Federal style, making ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
New Contemporary Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern American Colonial Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
52429 New Contemporary Turkish Oushak rug with Modern American Colonial Federal style. Blending a Federal style and elements from the modern world, this hand knotted wool contemporary Turkish Oushak rug beautifully balances new and old. It features an all-over geometric pattern composed of rectilinear and curvilinear vines, curved sickle leaves, rosette sprigs, and organic shapes filled with cruciform motifs. These spirited additions to the rug’s design blend a modern look, Federal style, and contemporary elements. It is enclosed with a wide Samovar Herat style border flanked with inner and outer Meander guard bands. A great additional to nearly any bedroom, living room, dining room, front room, great room, state room, private Chambers, drawing room, music room, sunroom, family room, studio, study, loft, lounge, office, or grand sitting room. Well-suited for a variety of interior styles: Federal, American Colonial, Cape Cod Cottage, Nantucket Beach, The Hamptons, Martha's Vineyard, Contemporary, Modern, Transitional, Abstract, Nautical, Beach House, Coastal Cottage, Lakefront, Seaside Sanctuary, or Lake Front Vacation Home. Rendered in variegated shades of paprika, tandoori Marsala, cayenne, burnt orange, terra cotta, brick red, light yellow, beige, muted orange, Glaucous, bluish-gray, and with accents of celadon and rose-peach. Complementary SW Colors and Hues: Hearty Orange, Full Moon, Stardew, Chinese Red, Irish Cream...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Large Cast New England Bank Patriotic Eagle and Clipper Ship Plaque
Located in Nantucket, MA
Cast and Gilded Patriotic Eagle with Clipper Ship Plaque, with a Clutch of Arrows and an Olive Branch in it's Talons, mid 20th Century, from a Boston Bank...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Composition
Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75511 Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style. This hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug features an allover pattern with geometric motifs...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Federal Style Circular Mirror, Giltwood Wall / Pier / Vanity
Located in Manhasset, NY
Federal style circular mirror, giltwood wall / Pier / vanity
A Petite Federal style mirror that would compliment any Hollywood Regency or Mid-Century Modern décor. fine giltwood c...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique Baltimore Federal Classical Silver Ladle by Gould & Ward
Located in New York, NY
Federal Classical silver ladle. Made by Gould & Ward in Baltimore, ca 1820. Upturned fiddle terminal engraved with script monogram. Marked “Gould & Ward Baltimore” with “11-12”, whic...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair of 19th Century American Federal Polished Brass Andirons
Located in West Hartford, CT
Pair of elegant antique 19th century federal style polished brass andirons, firedogs.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th C. Mirror American Wood Carved Federal
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Early wood carved Federal mirror. This would be a wonderful addition to your decor. Please be sure to check our storefront for more wonderful decorating pieces that range from Primit...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Federal Painted Bench
Located in Nashville, TN
Bench has arrow shaped splats. Slightly reduced in length. Original condition.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
American Cherry Candle Stand
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very interesting American cherry candle stand with exaggerated spider arched legs giving it a contemporary feel.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
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
Pair of Federal Style Gilt Bronze 2 Lite Sconces Early 20th Cent 'One Pair Only'
Located in Atlanta, GA
One pair of federal style gilt bronze 2 light sconces. Handsome gilt bronze and substantial weight and presence. Perfect for any room.
Category
Early 20th Century European Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1890s Era Solid Mahogany Chippendale Corner Cabinet Cupboard Hand Blown Glass
Located in Long Branch, NJ
1890s Era Solid Mahogany Chippendale Corner Cabinet Cupboard Hand Blown Glass
Measures 44 wide x 93 tall x 22 deep
sides 30 inches against wall
This 2 piece corner cabinet is de...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Document Box 19th Century American
Located in Hudson, NY
A spectacular and fine, dovetailed poplar, rosewood grain painted and ebonized document box. The gold stenciling is of a very fine quality. Retains the original fire gilded steel bai...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold, Steel
Early 19th Century American Federal Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
This American Federal-period overmantel composition mirror features a gilt carved wood and gesso frame. A sculpted eagle is perched above an églomisé panel depicting flowers. Separating the panels of original mirror glass are engaged Corinthian columns, and atop each of the ends are flame-and-leaf finials. The mirror is of an unusual design, but two Federal-period New York mirrors...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
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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