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
American Empire Pier Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
An early Empire giltwood pier mirror with rope twist split column, flower basket and leaf blocks with acorn spherules and original mercury glass, c.1815-1840.
29 inches wide by 5 ¼...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Assembled Set Of Six Federal Style Mahogany Upholstered Dining Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite set of Assembled Set Of Six Federal Style with fine carvings and inlays Mahogany Upholstered Dining Chairs. With quality orange and beige upholstery. Measurements:
1) 4 larger chairs are 21" in width x 22" in depth x 36" in height with Seat Height 18"
2) 2 smaller chairs...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage Louis Phillipe Mahogany Drop Front Desk High Chest of Drawers
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful warm highboy dresser with drop-front secretary. Leather embossed writing surface with 3 drawer storage. Perfect size with versatility for an apartment or stately home. Rich...
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Birdseye Maple
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
Federal Cast Brass Hearth Bench Fireplace Trivet / Stool, circa 1840s
Located in Germantown, MD
Federal Style cast and polished brass hearth bench or trivet with a pierced floral top, pierced floral border skirt, and terminating on cabriole leg...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th Century Continental Mahogany Ten-Drawers Tall Lingery Chest of Drawers
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare 18th Century Continental Mahogany Narrow Ten-Drawers Tall Chest of Drawers, very appropriate for hosiery or Jewel with proper lining. Measures 54" in height, 16" in width and ...
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 6 American Federal Hitchcock Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 American Federal Hitchcock style black painted side chairs with floral decoration on back.
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Federal Mahogany and Birch Inlaid Secretary/Desk sq
Located in Water Mill, NY
Federal Mahogany and Birch inlaid secretary/desk with contrasting veneers and
bone pulls.
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Birch, Mahogany
A Federal Style Cherry Spider Leg Candlestand
Located in Savannah, GA
An American federal style cherry spider leg tilt top candlestand, late 19th, early 20th century.
22 inches wide by 15 inches deep by 27 ½ inches tall; 40 inches tall tilted upright
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Hankel-Harris Pull Out Desk Table Secretary 4 Drawer Bachelor Chest Dresser MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Hankel-Harris Pull Out Desk Table Secretary 4 Drawer Bachelor Chest Dresser MINT
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century American Giltwood Convex Girandole Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
Period American Federal convex girandole mirror of monumental size. Giltwood with original gilding and mirror. New York.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Antique Mahogany Compact 20x35 Writing Table Console Desk Side Drawer Leather
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique Mahogany Compact 20x35 Writing Table Console Desk Side Drawer Leather
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Seymour School Federal Mahogany Bowfront Chest with Birdseye Maple Drawer Fronts
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Seymour School Federal mahogany four drawer chest of drawers with turret reeded corners, conforming top, birdseye maple veneer drawer fronts with cross banded mah...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
1920's Silver Plated Caldwell Traditional Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plates sconces, traditional style.
Category
1910s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Vintage Federal Style Vintage Mahogany Sideboard Buffet with Tapered Legs
Located in Elkton, MD
Vintage mahogany inlaid tapered leg buffet with original finish and gorgeous brass details, dovetail construction.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Relief Carved Mahogany Card Table, New York, circa 1810
Located in Stockton, NJ
American Federal relief carved mahogany card table. The double-elliptical crotch mahogany book-matched veneered hinged top above a central pedestal with foliate and swag carved detail terminating on four fluted cabriole legs and brass lion paw cups on casters.
This card table is illustrated in "Four Centuries of American Furniture" Oscar P. Fitzgerald, pp.93
" The richly grained mahogany top takes a double-elliptic shape. The top rotates to rest on the skirt, which encloses a storage space for game equipment...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Very fine early 19th center Portsmouth, NH federal inlaid sideboard
Located in Richmond, VA
Very fine early 19th century Portsmouth, NH federal inlaid sideboard. Impressive inlays , fine quality crotch veneers, inlaid turrets with sand shading, beautifully turned legs.
Pr...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Charak Lacquered Mahogany Banded Round Dining Table w/ 2 Leaves Inlaid Legs Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern solid teak pull out roll top desk drawers chair mint.
Two table leaves measuring 18''.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Potthast Brothers Mid Century American Federal Mahogany Handcrafted Side Table
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 Mahogany Marble Top Satinwood & Ebony Inlaid Console, C. 1790
By Thomas Seymour
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany marble top console table with a molded edge top, carved floral corner medallions, ebony and satinwood banding, and resting on ebony inlaid tapered legs with the original brass barrel cupped casters. Console table retains the original marble top, Late 18th century. Attributed to Thomas Seymour...
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th-20th Century Federal Style Crest Mirror
Located in Manhasset, NY
19th-20th century Federal style crest mirror. In a very fine water gilt bamboo form frame. The reflection from a hanging chandelier is what is appearing a...
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror
American Mahogany Federal Work Table with Barley Twist Legs on Casters, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany Federal two drawer hinged work table with a ratcheted white pine writing surface, fitted interior for ink wells, original brass sandwich glass knobs, lower connecti...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Style Gilt Eglomise Mirror
Located in Savannah, GA
A Federal style gilt eglomise mirror with neoclassical scene, 20th century.
plate: 23 ½ by 33 ½ inches
overall: 31 ½ by 47 ¼ inches
Category
Late 20th Century North American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique Federal Mahogany Work Table for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique Federal mahogany worktable with lower tier, two drawers with later brass pulls with Lion motif, well carved spiral twist legs and the whole resting upon brass casters. Lac...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Distressed Antique Persian Joshegan Rug, 10'11 x 12'10
Located in Dallas, TX
52558 Antique Persian Joshegan Rug, 10'11 x 12'10. Antique-washed Persian Joshegan rugs refer to rugs that have undergone a washing process to give them an aged or antique appearance...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
1930s American Federal Mahogany And Satinwood Inlay Drop-Leaf Dining Table
Located in Germantown, MD
For your consideration is this large drop-leaf dining table measuring 78" in width, 48" in depth and 30.5" in height. This unusual drop leaf table with comfortably accomodate 10+ peo...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
19th C. Carved And Gilt Convex Mirror for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Originally purchased in Boston. A classic deep convex mirror with multiple surrounds. The outer decorated with X shaped motifs on each side, a deep curved band with gilt spheres, an ...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Federal Mahogany Locking Chest of Drawers, Circa Early 1800s
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 18th Century to Early 19th Century Federal Mahogany Locking Chest of Drawers. 1st, 2nd and 4th drawers have functional locks with keys.
Me...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Bracket Feet Mahogany 6 Drawers Brass Pulls Tall Lingerie Chest Dresser Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bracket feet mahogany 6 drawers brass pulls tall lingerie chest dresser cabinet.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Mahogany Side Table with Fitted Interior Desk on Casters, 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal Mahogany one drawer side table with fitted interior desk, walnut diamond escutcheons, original four wooden knobs, and resting on turned bulbous ringed legs with the original brass casters. Secondary wood consist of white pine and tulip poplar...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Wing Chair
Located in New York, NY
Federal Wing Chair
Massachusetts Circa 1790
Primary Wood: Mahogany
Secondary Woods: Maple, Birch, White Pine
Height: 45 1/2 inches
Wid...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Maple, Pine
Federal Style Mahogany Mirror With Carved Giltwood Grouse
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique mahogany frame federal mirror wall gold gilt carved bird. Item features gold gilt carved bird, carved and shaped frame, wood frame, beautiful wood gr...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage Theodore Alexander Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Vintage Theodore Alexander Mahogany Arm Chair. Featuring a shield back design, two curved arms, a federal Hepplewhite style leg, accent carvings, original decor...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Vintage Federal Style Triple Pedestal Drop-Leaf Dining Table, circa 1940s
Located in Germantown, MD
Very practical Vintage Federal Style Triple Pedestal Drop-Leaf Dining Table.
Triple pedestal terminating with antique brass lion paw feet. Original...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Style Crotch Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Germantown, MD
A Federal Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1950s.
Size is 38" wide, 16" deep and 69" tall.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Beacon Hill Collection Federal Style Banded Mahogany Nightstand
By Beacon Hill
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal style single drawer occasional side table or nightstand
By Beacon Hill Collection
USA, mid-20th century
Mahogany, wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Mahogany and Cherry Stenciled Gilt Hinged Game Table, PA. Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany and cherry hinged game table with a one board top, central carved floral basket, stenciled gilt turned ringed center column, and resting on scrolled acanthu...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Mahogany Card table
Located in Huntington, NY
American Federal Mahogany Inlaid & Figural 5-legged Games Table Card table with gate leg on
The shaped rectangular top above an Oval Inlaid Frieze with Flower medallions
on square t...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Quality Pair Antique Brass Cannonball Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With cannonball tops on ring shaped supports mounted on scrolled legs with ball feet. The curved back long iron stand with ball finials.
Dimensions: H. 21", W. 12 3/4", Depth 19"
C...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique American Mid Atlantic States Federal Style Sideboard/ Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful American Federal style sideboard with a shaped bow front and darker banding. The top edge has string inlay framed moldings, The figured wood frieze drawer with fine brass b...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
19th Century American Federal Mahogany Flip Top Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal-style (19th Century) mahogany flip top console/card table with lyre base
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Biggs Federal Parcel Gilt Mahogany Three Panel Overmantel Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Biggs Federal Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Three Panel Over mantel Wall Mirror. Item features a horizontally oriented three-panel mahogany over mantel mirror with scrolling ped...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Corinithian Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A plaster study of a corinthian column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Antique Terra Cotta Federal Eagles 'Pair'
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Early antique federal eagles [pair] beautiful glaze. ca 1900, came from an antique collectors personal collection, you can see a repair on one of the eag...
Category
Early 20th Century French Federal Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Federal Oval Dining Table
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite antique mahogany Federal oval dining table. Federal-style—also known as Adam-style in Britain and Louis XVI style in France—flourished in the newly formed United States ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Federal Bold Tiger Maple Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Milford, NH
A Federal tiger maple drop leaf dining table with bold wood grain, tapered square legs terminating with brass casters, and dovetailed construction. Very good overall condition, with...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Persian Tabriz Palace Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75593 vintage Persian Tabriz Palace rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal style. This hand knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug features an al...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique Nesting Tables Mahogany & Leather
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More About This Item" below.
Shipping Quote Information
The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all...
Category
1930s Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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
Fine Antique Upholstered Armchair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly refined Antique Armchair with soft honey tone wood and elegant form. With a tall shaped crest rail and carved sloping arm supports. Raised ...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Petite Cut Glass Crystal Decanters, C1930
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous petite pair of cut glass crystal decanters in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Not cloudy or stained. Some wear to bottom edge.
Category
1930s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Classical Italian Giltwood Figural Bullseye Wall Mirror with Eagle 1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Classical Italian figural bullseye mirror offers giltwood construction with eagle or phoenix crest over convex mirror having double scroll form arms terminating in candle ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Vintage American Federal Mahogany Beveled Glass Broken Arch Fretwork Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage American Federal Style Mahogany Beveled Glass Broken Arch Fretwork Wall Mirror. Item features beveled glass, beautiful wood grain, carved fretwork, quality American craftsman...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
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
American Mahogany Oval Banded Top 3x16" Leaves Dining Banquet Table MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
American Mahogany Oval Banded Top 3x16" Leaves Dining Banquet Table MINT.
3x16” leaves with an extended table length of 86”
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Two American Mahogany Late Federal Style Side or End Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Two Late Federal Style Side Tables. Mahogany with beautiful New England carved and tapered legs. No drawers.
This similar pair were adapte...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Floral Painted Settee
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal floral painted Hitchcock style settee with roll back
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
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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