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.
Carved Alabaster Grapes Leaf Motive Urn Shape Square Mable Base Table Lamp MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Carved Alabaster Grapes Leaf Motive Urn Shape Square Mable Base Table Lamp MINT!
Alabaster, Marble
$1,850 / set
Pair Of Federal Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
With arched backs with pierced splats with small carved rosettes. Drop in seats and raised on square tapered legs with H form stretchers.
Mahogany
Mid 20th Century Harvin Company Federal Style Brass Andirons with Claw Feet
Located in Middleburg, VA
Mid 20th century harvin company federal style brass andirons with claw feet. Heavy duty brass and iron fireplace dogs. United States, 1950s. Measures: 23" H, 13" W, 20" D.
Brass, Iron
American Federal Mahogany Pembroke Table, Mid-19th Century, USA
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal (Mid-19th Century) mahogany Pembroke table with re-entrant cornered top above a frieze drawer, an acanthus-carved stem & legs with lions paw feet & casters.
Mahogany
Pair of American Federal Brass Flanking Urn Finial Engraved Andirons Phil C 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American Federal brass andirons with flanking urn finials, matching urn finial log stops, engraved swags on skirt, and resting on banded...
Brass, Wrought Iron
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...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Federal Bronze Clear Pebbled Glass Lantern Pendant
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th Century hanging lantern exudes timeless charm. Its bronze frame and clear pebbled glass showcase a classic design, capturing the essence of the Federal style, making ...
Bronze
Gilt Carved Wall, Console or Table Mirror with High Open Fleur-de-Lis Pediment
Located in Stamford, CT
Gilt carved mirror with high open Fleur-de-Lis pediment and oval etched mirror panel of a young lady in full dress.
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique Federal American Repousse Gilt Metal Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Extraordinary antique (18th to early 19th century) American federal period gilt copper centerpiece bowl with elaborate repousse designs and openwork, with prominent eagles supporting...
Copper
The Pastoral Parterre: An Antique Masterpiece of Rustic Splendor
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...
Wool
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...
Brass, Nickel
$960Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Antique Federal Brass & Wrought Iron Lemon Top Andirons C1810
Located in Big Flats, NY
Pair Antique Federal Brass & Wrought Iron Lemon Top Andirons C1810 Measures- 24"H x 10.5"W x 24.75"D
Brass, Wrought Iron
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Federal Brass & Wire Fireplace Fender & Three Piece Tool Set C1810
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Federal Brass & Wire Fireplace Fender & Three Piece Tool Set C1810 Measures- Hook: 26.75"L x 1.5"W x 1.5"D; Poker - 29.75"L x 1.5"W x 1.5"D Tongs: 27.75"L x 3.75"W x 1.5"D; G...
Brass, Wire
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.
Giltwood
19th Century Federal Eglomise Decorated Wall or Table Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century federal eglomise decorated wall or table mirror having a wonderfully gilt decorated frame under an eglomise glass panel depicting a baske...
Mirror, Wood
19th C. Mirror American Wood Carved Federal
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Early wood carved Federal mirror. This would be a wonderful addition to your decor. Please be sure to check our storefront for more wonderful decorating pieces that range from Primit...
Wood
Federal Style Circular Mirror, Giltwood Wall / Pier / Vanity
Located in Stamford, CT
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...
Mirror, Giltwood
$4,350Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Grain Painted Chest of Drawers, Maine, Circa 1830
Located in Hudson, NY
Absolutely beautiful, circa 1830's, grain painted, graduated chest of drawers. Likely from Maine or possibly Vermont , the workmanship is absolutely beautiful . From the fully turned...
Wood, Pine, Paint
Rare Child's Camphor Wood Chest, Leather Bound and Brass Embellished
Located in Essex, MA
Early 19th century child's camphor wood chest --Original black leather binding and brass tacks.
Brass
Pair of Brass George Washington Andirons
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage pair of brass George Washington Andirons, likely mid 20th century, cast brass shallow full length figure of George Washington standi...
Brass
Pair of Solid Mahogany Brass Pull 4 Drawer Bracket Feet Night Stands Tables MINT
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Solid Mahogany Brass Pull 4 Drawer Bracket Feet Night Stands Tables MINT
Mahogany
Currey And Company Creslow Decorative Blanket Chest Cabinet
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Currey And Company Creslow Decorative Blanket Chest Cabinet Dimensions : 33h x 18d x 48w This chest was made by Currey And Company and is called their Creslow Decorative cabinet....
Mahogany
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. Lov...
Mahogany, Satin
American Tavern Table, Pine and Poplar, Scrub Top, Circa 1800
Located in Hudson, NY
Very handsome scrub top work table or Tavern table. Retaining all of the original surface and it's beautiful breadboard top. Made in both Pine and poplar, this table is very solid an...
Pine, Poplar
Antique American Federal Pointed Finial Brass Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Pointed Finial Brass Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Item features solid brass and cast iron construction, and remarkable patina. Circa 19th Century. Measuremen...
Brass
19th Century Federal Painted Bench
Located in Nashville, TN
Bench has arrow shaped splats. Slightly reduced in length. Original condition.
Wood
Great Early 19th Century American Federal Four Poster Bed and Nightstand
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Presenting a beautifully crafted early 19th-century American Federal Four Poster Bed, an exquisite example of timeless craftsmanship. This bed showcases the elegant and understated s...
Wood
American Federal Silhouettes of Livingston Family Members
Located in New York, NY
Snipping a profile from paper with scissors, and mounting the result to a contrasting sheet of paper, became a popular diversion among the European and American upper classes in the ...
Paper
$1,575 / item
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 ...
Crystal
Pair of Antique Federal Style Chairs, circa 1890-1910
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of antique Federal style chairs, circa 1890-1910 EDC016.
Mahogany
Price Upon Request
Early 19th Century American Federal Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
This American Federal-period overmantel composition mirror features a gilt carved wood and gesso frame. A sculpted eagle is perched above an églomisé panel depicting flowers. Separating the panels of original mirror glass are engaged Corinthian columns, and atop each of the ends are flame-and-leaf finials. The mirror is of an unusual design, but two Federal-period New York mirrors...
Mirror, Giltwood