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.
to
161
733
711
18
4
87,665
54,681
18,371
10,350
8,048
6,521
6,461
6,066
4,583
3,892
3,607
3,287
3,253
2,948
2,854
2,789
2,628
2,046
41
296
374
22
86
114
66
3
5
1
6
6
7
6
3
12
2
566
343
226
189
109
556
543
32
27
24
733
725
726
27
9
5
5
4
Item Ships From: USA
Style: Federal
American Federal Chest of Drawers in West Indies Mahogany, Baltimore, circa 1835
Located in Miami, FL
From the Federal period, a very beautiful American Neoclassical chest of drawers in fine West Indies mahogany with two overhanging small drawers supported by turned and reeded column...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany Eagle Shield Flag Inlay Tilt Top Lamp Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany Eagle Shield Flag Inlay Tilt Top Lamp Table. Item features an inlaid central Eagle with shield and flag, tilt top, inlaid, solid wood construction, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Giltwood and Cream Painted 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 foliate branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 1...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Friedman Bros. Chippendale Federal Style Giltwood Italian Mirrors W/ Eagles - 2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Timeless appeal! This is a pair of Italian carved giltwood mirrors with federal chippendale styling. They are in very good condition and have removable carved giltwood eagles.
Ship...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Poplar
Antique American Federal Empire Mahogany Fold Over Pedestal Tea Game Card Table
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique American late Federal/Empire carved mahogany fold-over tea/games/card table, circa 1830.
The table having a fold-over & swivel top, below is a carved and gadrooned ap...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Gilt Wood Convex Mirror with Perched Eagle to Flee, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal gilt carved wood and gesso convex mirror with perched eagle to flee, flanking acanthus scrolled foliage, interior circular spheres, ebonized reeded ring, and termina...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Ebony
19th Century American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century American 39 Star Flag, circa 1889, a period printed silk parade flag with a wavy pattern of dancing stars. This was never an official flag of the United States but was m...
Category
1880s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silk
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
Baker Banded Mahogany One Drawer Drop Leaves Pembroke End Side Lamp Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Baker Banded Mahogany One Drawer Drop Leaves Pembroke End Side Lamp Table MINT!
2x8” leaves with an extended table diameter of 31"
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Annville, PA
An ideal sideboard for use in smaller spaces in the dining room the Federal Mahogany Sideboard is also designed to work with almost any deco...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century American Walnut Federal Drop-Leaf Table
Located in Charleston, SC
A Federal walnut drop leaf dining table with bold wood grain, tapered square legs terminating with brass and porcelain casters, and dovetailed construction. Very good overall conditi...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Giltwood Banjo Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Typical form with white enamel dial and reverse painted waist and pendulum door. With key and pendulum.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Giltwood Mirror with Rosette Corners and Fruit Panel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An antique carved giltwood wall mirror from the 1800s featuring a rectangular frame with rosette corners and a basket of fruit panel at the top. It is made of wood and gilded with g...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror
A late 19th Century Walnut inlaid Sewing Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Stately walnut inlaid sewing, work table with turned legs, single drawer and fabric covered slide out storage for sewing necessities. The top with a rare inlay in the form of a ship...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
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
Beacon Hill Two Part Crotch Flame Mahogany Individual Glass Pane Breakfront MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Beacon Hill Two Part Crotch Flame Mahogany Individual Glass Pane Breakfront MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
1850 Butternut and Oak Side Table with Two Stacked Drawers with Hobnail Beading
Located in Louisville, KY
The 1850's produced some of the most beautiful furniture pieces of the time. From simple elegance to ornately adorned, tables were indeed an art form of this period. But, this piece ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Oak
Pair of Twin Size Mahogany Canopy Beds by Smith & Watson MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Twin Size Mahogany Canopy Beds by Smith & Watson MINT
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin, With Essays, in Two Volumes, 1796
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Franklin, Benjamin. Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin, Consisting of His Life Written by Himself together with Essays, Humorous, Moral & Literary, Chiefly in the Manner of t...
Category
1790s English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Paper
19th Century Mahogany Dining Table with Leaves with Brass Clips
Located in Huntington, NY
Table has 2 end sections and 2 leaves and brass clips. The table can be used as a pair
of side table against the wall. Great color and patina
Dimension...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Huge Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
This is the Huge Partners Desk in the Niagara Furniture collection. This desk behemoth matches a number of other pieces which we produce. The fantastic solid mahogany top frame is in...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Philadelphia Federal Wardrobe / Armoire in West Indies Mahogany c. !820
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional American Federal wardrobe from Philadelphia in fine West Indies mahogany. Features split cylindrical columns with elaborate acanthus-carved Corinthian capitals flanking doors with book matched, crotch-mahogany panels. The stepped ogee-style crown molding, too, is expertly book matched, along with the concave base board...
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 ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
The Life of George Washington by Jared Sparks, Later Printing, 1854
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Sparks, Jared. The Life of George Washington. Auburn and Buffalo: Miller Orton & Mulligan, 1854. Later printing. Two volumes in one. Octavo. Rebound in 1/4 brown leather and cloth boards, with gilt titles, tooling, and raised bands. New archival cloth slipcase.
Presented is a later edition of Jared Sparks’ esteemed biography, The Life of George Washington. First published in 1839, Sparks’ The Life of George Washington is one of the earliest and most intimate biographies of our first President. This printing was published in Auburn and Buffalo by Miller Orton & Mulligan, in 1854. Impressively detailed, the biography is embellished with 14 engraved plates of portraits, views, and battle plans...
Category
1850s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Paper
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
Four Federal Style Drexel Travis Court Dining Chairs, 1940s
By Drexel
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage set of four federal style dining side chairs from Drexel's New Travis Court collection circa 1946. These klismos style chairs feature an x-form and scrolled back, saber leg...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Chenille, Mahogany
Antique Federal Style Wooden Fireplace Mantel
Located in Sheffield, MA
A handsome example of an unusually large American Federal Period wooden fireplace mantel. The wood does show aged wear. Use it as is for added charact...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Federal Style Mahogany Bedside Chests
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and figured mahogany nightstand, the reeded edge bowfront top with protruding corners with leaf carved and reeded uprights, with three graduated drawers with verdigris bra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
1920s Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Federal Style Fold-Top Console or Game 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, 17.5" in depth folded and 35" ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Hickory Chair Federal Flame Mahogany Buffet Server or Hall Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous traditional Federal or Hepplewhite style buffet server, hall or entry table, or occasional side table
By Hickory Chair, "Historical James River Plantations...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
A Fine Highly Figured Federal Style Pier Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A more diminutive Federal style Pier Mirror with traditional form and particularly rich color and graining. Highly figured mahogany pier mirror with a dimensional crest and two facet...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century American Federal Wall Mirror with Eagle Crest
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning and rare antique American Federal giltwood wall mirror dating to the first half of the 19th century. The fine quality example surmounted by a large carved figural eagle cr...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Paint
American Mahogany Pillar and Scroll Mantel Clock, Eli Terry, Circa 1825
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany pillar and scroll mantel clock with a broken arch pediment, three urn wood finials, flanking ringed columns, hinged glass d...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Baker Furniture Stately Homes Walnut Dining/Banquet Table
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is one of Baker Furniture’s finest dining/banquet tables. It is from Baker’s signature collection, Stately Homes. All of the Stately Homes pieces were modeled after distinguished English pieces from the 1700s and 1800s. This table was inspired by a table in the Lennox Castle in Scotland. The original table appears in the Dictionary of English Furniture, MacQuad and Edwards circa 1710.
This table has a magnificent cathedral walnut field with two borders of Burled walnut and straight grain walnut. The borders are separated by inlays of double arrow patterns. The apron is anointed with Burled walnut and a carved gadrooned mold g edge. The cabriole legs have carved knees with scrolls and acanthus leaves terminating with pad feet.
We estimate that this table is 20-40 years old. It is in excellent condition. It has been masterfully refinished in the Leighton Hall Restoration Department. It has a a medium brown walnut stain with a lacquered hand rubbed and polished semigloss sheen. We proudly think it looks better now than it did when I was new. See “Condition” for details.
This is an excellent opportunity to own an authentic vintage Baker Stately Homes table...
Category
1990s American Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique 19th Century 4 Drawers Pull Out Tray Flame Mahogany Bachelor Chest Brass
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique 19th Century Federal Style 4 Drawers pull out tray flame mahogany bachelor chest brass
Pulls Dovetail Drawers.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Dome Shape Top Glass Shelves Two Drawer Compartment Curio Display Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Lovely vintage curio display cabinet with glass shelves and 2 bottom drawers compartment. Has built in light.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Federal Mahogany Console or Entry Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style console or entry table
By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection
USA, Circa 1980s
Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetry.
Me...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Small Burled Penhurst Bookcase
Located in Annville, PA
The Niagara Furniture Small Burled Penshurst Bookcase with two shelves. The burled cornice is beautiful and adds a sense of depth to the upper area of the case while hand carved acan...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Antique American Federal Maple Wood Canopy Single Twin Poster Bed Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Maple Wood Canopy Single Twin Poster Bed Frame with Carved Finials (Color indoors is more true to images 2 and 3). Buyer will...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Antique American Federal Style Drop Leaf Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique American federal style cherry wood drop leaf table, 19th century. With a 2 board top, a frieze drawer, square tapered legs and S shaped stretcher bars. Nice old cherry...
Category
19th Century North American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Antique Pair of Federal Birch Wood Dinning Charis
Located in Norton, MA
Early 19th Century Antique Pair of Federal Biech Wood Dinning Charis with stylized scroll form rail over slat back, caned seats, and splay legs, c1830.
Measures- 33.5''H x 17.5''W...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Henredon Burl Walnut Round Center Lamp Side Occasional Table Stand Shelves Mint!
By Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Henredon Burl Walnut Round Center Lamp Side Occasional Table Stand Shelves Mint!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Early Federal Style Tiger Maple Dressing Mirror
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A handsome early 19th Century Tiger maple dressing mirror with drawers. The rectangular mirror with original silvering showing appropriate age to the silver with three small drawers...
Category
1820s North American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
19th Century Folding Sewing Table with Yardstick Top
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A unique and charming piece of sewing history, this antique wood folding sewing or tailor’s table from the 1800s is perfect for enthusiasts who appreciate the nostalgia and functionality of vintage sewing furniture...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
American Federal Mahogany & Satinwood Butler's Desk with Paw Feet. NY, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany butler's desk with a carved molded edge, three upper drawers with original brass knobs, sliding fall front interior desk with Satinwood drawers and pigeon h...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical Directoire Style Beige Leather Top Crotch Mahogany Tepered Leg Desk
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Compact Neoclassical Directoire Style Beige Leather Top Crotch Mahogany Tepered Leg Desk MINT
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Admiral Eagle Federal Round Bull’s-Eye Wall Mirror
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful round mirror with eagle surmount. In a bronze hue. A great example of the American federal style.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Elmer O. Stennes Weymouth MA Eglomise Girandole Banjo Clock
By Elmer O. Stennes
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful example of a hand made girandole banjo clock by well known Weymouth, Massachusetts clockmaker Elmer O. Stennes (1911-1975), with a signed circular face with brass ball s...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Stickley Solid Dark Cherry Panels Full Size Headboard
Located in Germantown, MD
A federal style, solid dark cherry full size Headboard in very good condition by Stickley. Measures 61.5" in width and stands 42.25 inches tall.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
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
18th Century Colonial Walnut Rope Poster Bed
Located in Unionville, TN
This remarkable circa 1790 walnut rope bed represents a rare and exceptional example of late 18th-century American craftsmanship, likely originating from the Pennsylvania region. Con...
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Tiered Bedside Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Tiered Bedside Table. Measures 16" in width, 13" in depth and 27" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Elegant Satinwood Display Cabinet On Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A delicate and light colored Cabinet with decorative Federal elements. The cabinet in fine satinwood with broken bonnet crest and carved cornice. The d...
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Satinwood
American Federal Drop Leaf Dining Table in West Indies Mahogany New York, c 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A handsome American Federal or Empire Pembroke table in fine West Indies mahogany with two drop leaves. This period breakfast table is supported by a reeded, vase-turned column on a ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
NYC Federal Full Tester Bed Attributable to Lannuier w Four Floral-Carved Posts
By Charles-Honoré Lannuier
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional American Federal sleigh bed with tester in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany with beautifully-articulated floral and acanthus-leaf carvings, along the crest of the headboard and footboard, and on the four posts, attributable to the French-born cabinetmaker Charles-Honoré Lannuier...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Metal Wagons
Wiener Werkstatte Textile
Wood Handrail
Wood Tobacco Figure
146 X 12
18th Century French Bronze Putto
18th Century Copper Bowl
1960 Wrought Iron Dining Table With Glass
19th Century Italian Marble Clocks
5 Ft Sofa
606 Art
7 Ft Mirror
77 Etched
A G S Mirror
Albert Dammouse
Altar Fruit
Angel Table Marble
Anri Italy