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
168
742
733
18
4
198,480
114,194
43,086
33,108
16,256
12,005
10,718
10,536
9,861
8,989
7,235
6,762
6,448
6,437
6,120
5,725
4,891
3,766
42
313
378
22
84
116
68
3
5
5
7
6
7
4
10
2
586
359
233
193
107
561
547
41
31
22
755
746
748
26
8
5
5
4
Style: Federal
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
$7,120 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Boston State House Staffordshire Blue & White Pottery Pair of Plates
Located in Downingtown, PA
Boston State House Staffordshirepair of pottery plates
John Rogers & Son,
1825
This Rogers underglaze blue printed plate of the Boston State Ho...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
American Federal Period China Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
Period American Federal, Possibly Baltimore, library or China cabinet. Mahogany of Hepplewhite form with symmetrically divided drawers in base and upper case with paned glass and ori...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Suters Reproductions Federal Style Solid Cherry Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 20th Century Suters Reproductions Federal Style Solid Cherry Single Drawer Side Table. Measures 24" in width, 24" in depth and 28.25" in height.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
$906 Sale Price
30% Off
Late Federal Fruitwood Single Drawer Dropleaf Pembroke Table, Circa 1800s
Located in Germantown, MD
Late Federal Mixed Fruitwood Single Drawer Dropleaf Pembroke Table on wheels. The back of the table look exactly as the front, fully finished with a faux drawer. Large enough to be u...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
$1,645 Sale Price
30% Off
Rare Early 19th Century American Baltimore Federal Parcel Gilt Writing Desk
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and rare early 19th century American Baltimore Federal painted writing table with fabulous parcel gilt detail throughout. The moulded to...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large 88" Wide Beveled Glass Gold Leaf Back Paint Decorated Break Front Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large 88" Wide Beveled Glass Gold Leaf Back Paint Decorated Break Front Cabinet MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Mid-Century American Federal Style Brass Fireplace Tools Set of 6
Located in Germantown, MD
Six piece set Mid-Century American Federal Style Brass Fireplace Tools, include a 46.5' Blo Poke tool.
Stand is 32" tall.
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$1,312 Sale Price
30% Off
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
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
Duncan Phyfe Style Twin Pedestal Dining Table with Faux Marble Hand Painted Top
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An elegant twin pedestal Duncan Phyfe/Sheraton style dining table, the pedestals in mahogany with original brass castors, the 'D' shaped top expertly painted in a faux green veined m...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Tilt-Top Candlestand Table
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
Federal walnut tilt-top candlestand. The rectangular cut-corner top on vase and ring-turned support and tripod base of shaped legs.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Southampton Mahogany Gallery Top Brass Drop Pull One-Drawer End Table Stand
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mahogany brass hardware one shelf end table nightstand.
Category
20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Philadelphia Federal Coin Silver Ice Tongs
Located in New York, NY
Federal coin silver ice tongs, ca 1830. U-form with cast talon jaws. Marked “J. Peters & Co.”, for James Peters & Co., a Philadelphia silversmith active in the early years of the Rep...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
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
Mahogany Tall Bookcase
Located in Annville, PA
A highly functional and decorative two part Mahogany Tall Bookcase cabinet resting on shaped bracket feet. Large doors without lattice work allow for fu...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$3,575 / item
Antique John Burger New York Federal Classical Silver Teapot
Located in New York, NY
Federal Classical coin silver teapot. Made by John Burger in New York, ca 1790. Straight and oval with long diagonal spout; silver-mounted high-looping and leaf-capped stained-wood h...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
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
$746 Sale Price
25% Off
Pair Mid-Century Century Red Oak Pressback Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Mid-Century Century Red Oak Pressback Armchairs.
Great vintage condition
Measures 24" in width, 22" in depth and 43" in height. Seat height is 18"
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Oak
$1,337 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Leather Bound Ledger Magazine Holder Italian, 1950s
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Large footed leather bound "Ledger" magazine holder.
Holds a dozen or so of your favorite design magazines while looking fabulous as a decor object.
Plywood construction wrapped in p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Plywood
1920's Eagle Caldwell Silver Plated Sconces Federal Style
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell federal style silver plated sconces with eagles
Category
1910s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Two Arm Shield Back Sconces in Silver Plate by Bradley & Hubbard, Circa 1910s
Located in New York, NY
AIS2736
A pair of double light sconces in silverplate over brass having shield form backplates. Signed by the maker Bradley and Hubbard. Circa 1910s.
Dimensions:
Overall: 13-1/4" h....
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Pair of American Classical Style Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American Classical style andirons having double knob urn finials over Doric column shafts, standing on plinth support over pair o...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,950 / set
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
Pair of Fine Elegant Alabaster Marble Onion Shape Bases Table Lamps Clean!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Fine Elegant Alabaster Marble Onion Shape Bases Table Lamps Clean!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique English Federal Brass Cannonball Fireplace Andirons With Patina - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Federal Brass Cannonball Fireplace Andirons With Patina - a Pair. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 20" H x 11" W x 32" D.
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Set of 3 Italian Neo-Classic Engraved Prints of Medals with White Carved Coin
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 3 Italian Neo-classic style (19th Century) engraved prints of metals over a single white pariu carved coin with a classical bust in a silver/gilt frame (Prov: Christies NY) (P...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
American Federal Mahogany Tilt-Top Scalloped Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal mahogany rectangular scalloped tilt-top end table on a turned pedestal tripod base.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Style Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Lift Top
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal style 19th century mahogany chest of drawers with 2 lower drawers above dummy drawers having a lift top with replaced brass...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Banded Oval Racetrack Shape Carved Double Pedestal Burl Walnut 13' Long Dining
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded Oval Racetrack Shape Carved Double Pedestal Burl Walnut 13' Long Dining Conference Table MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
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
American Serpentine Brass Finial & Artistic Wire Work Fire Fender, Boston C 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
American serpentine brass ball finial and artistic wire work fire place fender, Boston, MA. Early 19th Century.
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wire
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 Mahogany Drop Leaf Barley Twist Work Table with Orig. Brasses, C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal Mahogany drop leaf three drawer work table with incised carvings, original circular foliage brasses, key hole escutcheons, ...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Kindel Furniture Style Federal Mahogany Inlaid Marquetry Twin Beds, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of vintage Federal or Hepplewhite style twin beds
In the manner of Kindel Furniture
USA, Circa 1940s
Carved mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetry.
Each measur...
Category
1940s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
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
Banded Top Mahogany Inlayed Bracket Feet 11 Drawers Dresser Credenza MINT!
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bow front banded top mahogany inlayed bracket feet 11 drawers dresser credenza MINT!.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Alabaster End Tables or Plant or Display Collums
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Alabaster end tables or plant or display collums.
Hand carved highly figured Alabaster made in Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
$4,800 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Pair of Vintage Copper Plate US Capitol Bookends
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of vintage American style copper plated metal United States Capitol dome bookends (PRICED AS PAIR)
Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Copper
19th C. American Federal Brass Cannonball Andirons with Aged Patina - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Federal Brass Cannonball Andirons with Aged Patina - a Pair. Item features desirable aged patina to brass, large cannonball ...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Boston Gilt Convex Mirror Labeled William Balch
Located in Charleston, SC
This 1830s Boston convex mirror has a wonderful scrolled frame with a foliate crest centered on the four quarters. The central feature of the frame has an oak leaf ring...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Gesso
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
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
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
Midcentury Federal Highball Cocktail Glasses
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of five (5) highball cocktail glasses in the Federal style, circa mid-20th century, USA. Gold eagle and shield are font/center, flanke...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass
American Grain-Painted Corner Cabinet Cupboard, New England, circa 1805
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A VERY FINE AMERICAN GRAIN-PAINTED ONE-PIECE CORNER CUPBOARD
New England, circa 1805
Item # 305PXF05C
An incredibly fine one-piece corner cupboard formerly acquired at Sotheby's in 2013 for $ 15,000. The original and beautifully worn surface is incredibly lively with a rich texture in the symmetrical brush strokes with the natural rubbing through the paint from over two-hundred years of gentle handling. It is crafted in one piece from pine primary woods and poplar secondary woods and features a nine-light glazed upper door with beautifully molded astragals that opens with a replaced brass knob to reveal an interior divided with two fixed shelves. The lower portion of the cabinet is missing its knob and opens to reveal the single shelf that evenly divides out the space. And most attractive is the size, which is delightfully diminutive and allows it to be a part of any space without overwhelming the interior. An untouched treasure.
Provenance:
* Alan McDonough, Dover, Massachusetts
* Sotheby's, New York, Important Americana...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
1940s Federal Style 6-Arm Brass Chandelier Nickel Plated with Original Patina
Located in New York, NY
This federal style 6 light chandelier is original to the 1940's and is nickel pated over brass with the original patina. It has elegant arms surrounding an urn shaped body and featur...
Category
1940s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Nickel
American Federal Mahogany Hunt Board with Flanking Hinged Cupboards, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany hunt board with a carved molded edge one board top, single lined interior drawer over chamfered arch, flanking hinged cup...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Mahogany Bow Front One-Drawer Server with Brass Pulls. C.1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany bow front one-drawer server with a one board top, original brass floral pulls and escutcheon, and resting on the original turned bulbous ringed legs, Early ...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
$16,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Armorial Service of Samson Chinese Export Porcelain for the American Market
By Edmé Samson
Located in Essex, MA
Partial set of Samson hand painted Chinese Export style porcelain for the American Market.
In beautiful orange trim with hand printed gilt motif. American eagle in centre with Shi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
$35,000 / set
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
Antique Blue Pottery
Antique Victorian Walnut
Antique 17th Century Dutch
Antique Berlin
Antique Stained Glass
Antique Painted Panels French
Antique European Plates
Antique Blue Green Paint
Antique House Architectural Design
Antique Letters
Antique Castle Furniture
Antique Marble Stand
19th Century Flower Paintings
Antique Markings
1940S Vintage Posters
Air India
Antique Glass Bead
Antique Garden Prints