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
American Grain-Painted Corner Cabinet Cupboard, New England, circa 1805
Located in Shippensburg, PA
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
American Federal Gilt Wood & Ebonized Acanthus Foliage Convex Wall Mirror C 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal gilt wood and gesso acanthus foliage convex mirror with central ebonized molded reeded ring, interior lambs tongue border, exterior gilt wood circular spheres, and d...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Mirror, Gesso, Pine, Giltwood
American Federal Tiger Maple One Drawer Stand with Turned Ringed Legs C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal tiger maple one drawer stand with original wood knob, turned bulbous ringed legs, and the original pointed feet. Secondary wood co...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple, Poplar
Pair of American Double Lemon Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American double lemon andirons, having beaded bands around both lemon finials, with turned collars over octagonal shafts, standing on arche...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Iron, Brass
$2,900 / set
Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine Federal mahogany inlaid sofa with an arched camel back, with scroll arms on six legs, the beautifully upholstered cushion backrest, seat, and arms ...
Category
1790s North American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Pair of Philadelphia Brass Andirons with Roman Columns and Ball Finials
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A GORGEOUS Pair of Early 19C Philadelphia Brass Andirons with Roman Columns and Ball Finials.
Made in Philadelphia, circa 1800 ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$4,750 Sale Price / set
50% Off
New Contemporary Transitional Oushak Accent Rug with Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
80388 Contemporary Transitional Oushak Accent Rug with Federal Style. Blending a Federal style and elements from the modern world, this hand knotted wool contemporary transitional Ou...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
$799 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century American cherry one drawer stand with turned legs and feet
Located in Richmond, VA
Great little 19th Century American cherry one drawer stand with turned legs, feet and 2 board top
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Federal Style, Giltwood, Convex Mirror, Regency Wall Mirrors, England, 19th C.
Located in Manhasset, NY
Federal Style, Giltwood, Convex Mirror, Wall, Console, or Pier Mirrors, England, 19th C.
Rare pair of federal style mirrors designed and produced in England in the later half of the...
Category
19th Century English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair of American Federal Painted Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Federal faux bamboo painted side chairs with spindle back and rush seat with cushion
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
$3,600 / set
Vintage Persian Tabriz Rug with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75511 Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style. This hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug features an allover pattern with geometric motifs...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
$3,920 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Round 20" in Diameter Inlayed One Drawer Burl Wood Tapered Legs Stand End Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Round 20" in Diameter Inlayed One Drawer Burl Wood Tapered Legs Stand End Side Occasional Lamp Table MINT!
Category
20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Burl
The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by N. Dwight, 1860
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Dwight, Nathaniel. The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. New York: A. S. Barnes & Burr, 1860. Later printing. Octavo. Rebound in ¼ leather and cloth boards, wi...
Category
1860s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Paper
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 co...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
American Cherry Tilt-Top Candle Stand
Located in Savannah, GA
An American cherry spider leg tilt-top candle stand, early 19th century.
top measures 17 by 22 inches
28 ¼ inches tall; 40 inches tall upright
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Bonnet Top Highboy with Pinwheel Carvings & Impressive Size
Located in Milford, NH
A Queen Anne style bonnet top highboy with swan’s neck split pediment with urn form finials surmounting an upper case with three pinwheel carvings over three fitted drawers, the cent...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair Early 20th C. Hand Carved Continental Parcel Gilt Eagle Motif Wall Sconces
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of early 20th century hand carved eagle motif gilt wood wall sconces.
Nicely carved and made, will fit in with any traditional American decor.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Antique Country Painted Blanket Chest or Coffee Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique American country blanket chest in beautiful original aged distressed blue painted surface. Iron handles at sides. Key for lock is no longer available. The open interior compa...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
Early 19th Century Rosewood Domed Top Bookcase With Brass Ormula
Located in Pueblo, CO
This is a very rare stately Rosewood cabinet with brass ormula fittings. Base section has full drawer with carved pulls above a two door cabinet with shelf, upper section is a dome ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique 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 Federal Turned Legs Mahogany Low Side Table Tea Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A federal style turned legs Mahogany low Side Table. Table has been recently refinished and is in very good condition. Measures 26" W x 22" D x 15" H.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Gilt Eagle Figure
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal (19th Cent) life size gilt carved eagle figure standing on serpent and round painted base
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of American Federal Brass Urn Finial Shield Engraved Andirons. Phil. C 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American Federal brass andirons with shield engraved urn finials, shield engraved plinths, incised checkering lines, engraved swags on s...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Antique 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
Inlayed 89" Yew Wood Deep Base Display China Cabinet Individual Glass MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Inlayed 89" Yew Wood Deep Base Display China Cabinet Individual Glass MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Yew
Banded Mahogany Tripple Pedestal Base 3 Ext. Section 157" Long Dining Table MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded Mahogany Tripple Pedestal Base 3 Ext. Section 157" Long Dining Table MINT!
2 x 24" leaves with an extended table length of 157".
Category
20th Century American 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
Eagle Design Gilt Bronze Sconces With Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930's Eagle design gilt bronze sconces with convex mirrored backplate, one light
Category
1930s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of American Federal Painted Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Federal faux bamboo painted side chairs with spindle back and rush seat with cushion
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo
$3,600 / set
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
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 Persian Azerbaijan Runner with Modern Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75381, antique Persian Azerbaijan runner with Modern Federal style. With its clean lines and subtle use of ornament, this hand knotted wool antique Persian Azerbaijan runner beautifu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
$2,640 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Vintage Brandt Flip Top Piano Style Small Wooden Writing Desk Table
By Brandt
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage brandt flip top Piano style small wooden writing desk table. Item features rolling casters, flip top, lower shelf stand, original label, very nice vintage item, quality Ameri...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Cast New England Bank Patriotic Eagle and Clipper Ship Plaque
Located in Nantucket, MA
Cast and Gilded Patriotic Eagle with Clipper Ship Plaque, with a Clutch of Arrows and an Olive Branch in it's Talons, mid 20th Century, from a Boston Bank...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Composition
Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
74331 Vintage Persian Tabriz Area Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style. This hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug features an all-over geometric floral pattern com...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
$5,520 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Federal Period Mahogany Three Drawer Stand with Embossed Pulls c. 1820
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique Federal Period Mahogany Three Drawer Stand, dating to around 1820, exemplifies the refined elegance of Federal-period design. Crafted from rich mahogany, the piece displ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
Blackened Wrought Iron Knife Blade Andirons with Brass Urn Finials, Circa 1900s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0535
A pair of antique 18th century style wrought iron andirons with full round brass urn form finials and brass details atop blackened iron knife blade...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron, Brass
Pair of Chabby Chic White Painted Three Drawers Nightstands Lamp Tables
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of distressed vintage weathered look nightstands. Brass pulls.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Style Gilded Carved Wood Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Federal Style Gilded Carved Wood Mirror, 19th Century
Carved wood American Federal style parcel-gilt wall mirror featuring a broken scroll ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
19th century American Tripod Table
Located in Savannah, GA
Unusual rectangular shaped. American tripod table with original working mechanism. The exquisitely grained top is one piece of mahogany and shape...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,259 Sale Price
49% Off
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
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
Antique Bullseye Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Federal Bullseye Mirror. Circular concave gilt outer surround with attached spheres, and an ebonized and ribbed inner one. Planked wood...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Smoked Glass, Wood
$1,995
Vintage Federal Style Extra Long Hall Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Federal Style Extra Long Hall Bench
An elegant vintage federal style carved wood frame triple hall bench with 10 legs.
This hall bench is being sold in its original conditi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Antique Federal Period Mahogany Work Table with Pineapple Carved Pillars c. 1840
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique Federal Period Mahogany Work Table, dating to around 1840, is a striking example of American craftsmanship from the Federal period. The piece is made from richly grained...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
19th c Vermont Mahogany Tall Chest with Birds Eye & Tiger Maple Drawer Fronts
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of an early 19th century tall chest of drawers in a two over four configuration with a mahogany case and birds eye and tiger maple drawer fronts with mahogany veneer b...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century American "Federal" Style Convex Mirror.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Late 19th Century American "Federal" Style Convex Mirror.
Carved Wood with Gold and an Eagle Perched on Top.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
American Federal Man in Black Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal gilt framed oil portrait painting of man in black holding large white paper
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Paint
19th Century Leather Covered Box with a Domed Lid, Brass Handle and Hinges
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This small box for personal possessions (perhaps papers or letters), is covered in black leather and decorated with borders of brass tacks, including the letters A.T. on its lid, and...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Large Mahogany Credenza
Located in Annville, PA
Decorative and functional this great quality four part Large Mahogany Credenza from Niagara Furniture can solve a lot of your storage and display needs either at home or in the workp...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$5,445 / item
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
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
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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