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
Set of 11 Federal Style Mahogany Square Back Dining Chairs
Located in Milford, NH
A solid set of eleven Federal style square back mahogany dining chairs, including two armchairs and nine side chairs, each with delicately carved back spindles, H form stretchers, an...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Federal Style Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A Federal Style Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror in great vintage condition. Measures 21" in width and 44" in height
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Pair of Brass Ball Top Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American early 19th brass ball top andirons having ring turned collar over balustrade turned shafts, standing on hoof-footed cabriole legs with spurred knees, the log st...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
Vintage Cast-Iron Eagle Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a cast-iron figural eagle doorstop, circa early 20th century. The eagle is depicted with wings spread wide, perched and mounted to a square marble base. The eagle retains traces of its original gilt surface and is embossed with “F.O.E.” at its midsection, possibly referring to the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
The eagle is both the national bird and the national animal of the United States. The eagle motif has been widely used throughout American history, most notably as part of our Great Seal. The founders of the United States were fond of comparing their new republic with the Roman Republic, in which eagle imagery, usually the golden eagle, was prominent. On June 20, 1782, the Continental Congress adopted the design for the Great Seal of the United States...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Marble, Iron
Fine Quality Italian Made Federal Style Tall Gilded Carved Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb mirror made in Italy in the Federal style. The mirror was carved of walnut and gilded in an antiqued distressed finish. The mirror will show minor signs of age and u...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Mortar & Pestle with Original Surface
Located in New York, NY
American, late 18th century/early 19th century wooden mortar and pestle. The urn shaped mortar with rich patina has a wonderful ...
Category
1790s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple, Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Mahogany and Upholstered Armchair Desk Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Mahogany and Upholstered Armchair Desk Chair
Measures 25.5" in width, 23" in depth and 44.5" in height. Seat height is 20" and arm height is 27.5". ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
The Pennsylvania Journal and The Weekly Advertiser, Issued June 16, 1787
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an June 16, 1787 issue of Philadelphia's "The Pennsylvania Journal, and The Weekly Advertiser," containing coverage of the Constitutional Convention. The magazine period...
Category
1780s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Paper
Antique American Federal Eagle Walnut Side Table, Mid 19th Century
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful American colonial or Federal style walnut and giltwood candle stand or side table featuring a hand carved eagle
USA, Mid 19th Century
Measures: 24"W x 12"D x 22.25"H.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
Vintage Regency Gilt Federal Convex Eagle Mirror
Located in west palm beach, FL
Make a grand statement with this stunning Vintage Regency Gilt Federal Convex Eagle Mirror. A true masterpiece of Federal-style design, this mirror features a convex glass center fra...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
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
Antique American Cherry and Poplar Mid-Atlantic Region Large Corner Cupboard
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
This wonderfully displayed, early American Federal period Cherry "Gothic Chippendale" style Large Corner Cupboard has evidence of poplar secondary wood. The handsome gothic-barred gl...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Poplar
"Georgius Washington" Engraving by Giuseppe Longhi, 1817
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a handsome engraved portrait of George Washington by Italian artist Giuseppe Longhi. Titled “Georgius Washington” this engraving was published in Padua, Italy in 1817. The composition is based on a drawing by Longhi himself, but certainly influenced by the Gilbert Stuart and John Trumbull portraits. Washington is depicted in a head and shoulders pose, with his chest to the left but his head angled to the right. He wears a dark coat and vest and a white shirt and ruffled cravat.
The father of our country, George Washington was the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and served two terms as the first United States president...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Late 20th Century Federal Style Mahohany Side Table Candle Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Federal Style Mahohany Side Table
Measures 14.75" in width, 14.75" in depth and stands 21.5" tall.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Very Fine Custom c1940s Bubble Glass Drop Front Butlers Desk Break Front MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Custom c1940s Bubble Glass Drop Front Butlers Desk Break Front MINT.
Phenomenal quality piece of furniture, fine detail low key inlay decorations.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Vintage Charak Federal Style Mahogany Demilune Small Half Round Server Buffet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Charak Federal Style Mahogany Demilune Small Half Round Server Buffet With Pencil Inlay. Item features working lock and key, tapered legs, and original label. Circa Early 20t...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Chest of Drawers Chiffonniere Flamed Mahogany on Oak 19th Century
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful large antique chest of drawers of very high quality, chiffonnière from the first half of the 19th century. The cabinet has a beautiful patina of age and use, with character...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Early 20th Century Federal Brass and Iron Andirrons
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair Early 20th Century Federal Brass and Iron Andirrons. Measuring 8" in width, 18" in width and 21.5" in height.
Recently repolished
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Federal Style Circular Giltwood Convex Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
Federal Style Circular Giltwood Convex Mirror, circa 1900, with ribbon design. 21.25" Diameter. Provenance: From a 50 Madison Avenue Estate.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Block Front Carved Decorated Scallops Bracket Feet 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
Mahogany
19th Century Ovoid Shaped Breche Violette Marble Federal Mahogany Coffee Table
Located in Lomita, CA
The novel shape and color of this Breccia marble coffee table will turn heads and transform a living or work space. This vintage Federal ovoid marble-top and inlaid mahogany or cherr...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble
Pair Hickory Chair Federal Style Mahogany & Inlay Upholstered Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Hickory Chair Furniture Federal Style Upholstered Mahogany Armchairs in great vintage condition.
Measures 25" in width, 25" in depth, 36" in height, 18" seat height. Arm heig...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Pair of Federal Tiger Maple & Bird's Eye Cane Seat Dinning Charis
Located in Norton, MA
Early 19th Century Antique Pair of Federal Tiger Maple & Bird's Eye Cane Seat Dinning Charis with stylized form, caned seats, and splay legs, c1830...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Federal Style Oversized Architectural Elements as Garden Trellises - One of Four
Located in Nashua, NH
One of a set of four matching over sized glassless window frames originally holding 25 glass panes that were acquired from a 1790 Federal home. Someone with Yankee ingenuity took the...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Hardwood, Paint
Pair of Hollywood Regency Tole Lamps
Located in Nashville, TN
This is a beautiful pair of Hollywood Regency style Italian tole lamps! The bases are black marble with gold gilt leaves rising up from them to the ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Mahogany Wood Federal Style Credenza / Sideboard
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your dining space with this exquisite Early 19th Century Mahogany Wood Federal Style Sideboard/Credenza with a charming backsplash over a shaped top. Crafted in the distingui...
Category
1820s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Brunschwig & Fils Boscobel Restoration Medford Inn 1804 Hand-Printed Wallpaper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brunschwig and Fils Boscobel Restoration Medford Inn 1804 hand-printed wallpaper. Very unusual paper - it is marked as custom hand-printed for the Bo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of Late 20th Century Bernhardt Maple and Cherry Upholstered Armchairs
By Bernhardt
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Late 20th Century Bernhardt Maple, Cherry and Upholstered Armchairs
Measures 21" in width, 24" in depth and 32" in height. Seat height 18. Arm height 25.5". Seat Interior...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry, Maple
Vintage Decorative Crafts Inc American Federal Carved Wood Gold Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Decorative Crafts Inc American Federal Carved Wood Gold Gilt Wall Mirror. Item features gold gilt and brown distress painted finish, carved finials, solid wood frame, nicely ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
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
Antique 2 Federal Tiger Maple & Bird's Eye Cane Seat Dinning Charis
Located in Norton, MA
Early 19th century Antique 2 Federal Tiger Maple & Bird's Eye Cane Seat Dinning Charis #3 with stylized scroll form rail over slat back, caned seat...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Distressed Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Relaxed Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77216, Distressed Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Relaxed Federal Style. Regal hues, intricate details, and all-over symmetry create a neocl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early 19th Century Fall-Front Desk
Located in Buchanan, MI
Handsome and functional Regency mahogany fall front desk, server, entry way piece, great inlay, elegant form. Exceptional exaggerated arched foot.
Category
19th Century North American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satin
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
20th Century Federal Style Carved Mahogany Poster Full Side Bed
Located in Germantown, MD
Federal Style Carved Mahogany Poster Full Side Bed in good vintage condition.
Measures 58" in width, 83.5" in lenght and stands 85.5" tall to the top of the finials. Heandboard is ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
"G. Washington" Lithograph after Gilbert Stuart
By Gilbert Stuart
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a handsome lithographed portrait of George Washington. This lithograph is based on a painting by Gilbert Stuart, the famous “Athanaeum” bust portrait from 1796. Washington is depicted in a head and shoulders pose, positioned left but looking center. He wears a dark coat and vest and a white shirt and ruffled cravat.
The father of our country, George Washington was the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and served two terms as the first United States president...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
19th Century Federal Mahogany Lift Top Writing Desk / Work Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Federal Mahogany Lift Top Writing Desk or Work Table.
Features two drawers with working keys. One drawer without key. Top opens up...
Category
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
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
Kittinger Double Pedestal SOLID Mahogany 1x24" Extension Board Leaf MINT!
By Kittinger
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Kittinger Double Pedestal Solid Mahogany 1x24" Extension Board Leaf MINT!
1x 24" leaf with an extended table length of 104".
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large American Wire Fireplace Screen
Located in Essex, MA
Hard to find size removed from an early American house with walk in fireplace north of Boston. Curved back to cover fireplace .
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
Baker Williamsburg Colonial 8839 Mahogany Federal Inlay Extension Dining Table A
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Baker Williamsburg Colonial (Pattern 8839) Mahogany Federal Style Banded Extension Dining Table (A). Item features (3) 18" skirted leaves,...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Federal Brass Spiral Twist Finial Branch Leg Ball & Claw Andirons - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Federal Brass Spiral Twist Finial Branch Leg Ball & Claw Andirons - a Pair. Item features remarkable authentic patina, spiral twist finial and column, branch legs, ball and c...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
Crotch Mahogany Pie Crust Turned Tripod Base Brass Claw Feet Lamp Table MINT
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Crotch Mahogany Pie Crust Turned Tripod Base Brass Claw Feet Lamp Side Center Occasional Table MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Continental Style Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Continental Style Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror. Measures 19" in width 34.5" in height.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Mirror, Giltwood
American 19th Century Brass Fender
Located in Southampton, NY
American 19th Century Brass Fender
Category
Early 19th Century North American Antique Federal Furniture
An Early Federal Mahogany and Satinwood Game Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A beautiful federal period game table with nicely shaped top. The flame mahogany, with graceful satinwood inlay with hand carved capitols over the tapered fluted legs. The table wi...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Vintage Traditional Flip Top Side Table
Located in west palm beach, FL
This charming vintage flip top side table embodies classic elegance with its rich mahogany finish, fluted legs, and timeless brass hardware. Expert...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Antique Federal Period Parcel Gilt Wall Mirror c. 1830
Located in Westfield, MA
This Fine Antique Federal Period Parcel Gilt Wall Mirror, dating to circa 1830, embodies the elegance and restrained beauty characteristic of the Federal style. The mirror features a...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Round Showcase Display Glass Lid Compartment Side End Table Compartment MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Round Showcase Display Glass Lid Compartment Side End Table Compartment MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair Mid-20th Century Federal Style Canon Ball Brass Fireplace Low Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of Mid-20th Century Federal Style Canon Ball Brass Fireplace Andirons
Please inquire about the Matching Fireplace Fender and fire place tools set available in our inventory in...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Flame Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Pueblo, CO
Absolutely stunning Federal flame mahogany bookcase in perfect condition for over 200 years old. Original individual glass panes, upper and lower cabinets lock with original key, sta...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Of American Brass Steeple Top Andirons
Located in Essex, MA
Steeple top newly polished. Ball feet.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
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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