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
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
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
Banded Mahogany Federal Style Compact 50" Wide Sideboard Credenza Buffet MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded Mahogany Federal Style Compact 50" Wide Sideboard Credenza Buffet MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique American Federal Carved Giltwood Pier Mirror Églomisé Panel NY 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American Federal period, Classical giltwood eglomise pier mirror, New York, circa 1815.
The mirror with a stepped cornice and applied gilt spheres, below are bands of ...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair of Early 19th Century Federal Hepplewhite Mirrors with Pineapple Finals
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of American Federal Hepplewhite Mirrors with Pineapple Finials. Wonderful pediment shaped eglomise panels with floral gilt. Gilded balls and columns. A true pair. Possibly Al...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Mid 20th Century Hickory Chair Mahogany Traditional Console Table
Located in Elkton, MD
Small console table by Hickory chair company. Features two side compartments with doors and a central drawer. Brass details.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Aaron Willard Boston Mahogany Shelf Clock w/ Eglomisé Painting & Eagle Finial
Located in Savannah, GA
Popularized at the turn of the 19th century in coastal Massachusetts, these handsome shelf clocks are subsequently referred to as Massachusetts shelf clocks. This decorated example ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Hand-Carved and Hand-Painted Bellamy Eagle with Shield
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a vintage Bellamy-style carved wooden eagle. This late 19th century to early 20th century wood eagle is bronze-brushed with a painted red, white, and blue shield and a b...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Mahogany Federal Style Silver Chest by Henkle Harris
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mahogany Federal Style Silver Chest by Henkle Harris. The medium colored mahogany with a burl center panel with lift up top to reveal several felt fitted drawers for silver flatware...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Blockfront Secretary Writing Desk. Made from mahogany with a high sheen finish. This exception example of a late 18th century p...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Hand-Carved Folk Eagle, Early to Mid 20th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a stunning early to mid 20th century hand-carved bald eagle. The eagle is carved out of one large piece of wood, making the intricate detailing on the feathers and beak that ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
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.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early American Federal Chest of Drawers in Bookmatched Mahogany
Located in Hopewell, NJ
From the Federal period, a very beautiful American Neoclassical chest of drawers in fine bookmatched mahogany with one overhanging drawer supported on the sides by two beautifully tu...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1800's American Federal Period 2 Drawer Side Table
Located in Louisville, KY
This gorgeous American Federal period table is a beautiful reflection of the early 1800's. With hand turned legs, unique irregular lines and curves that display a master builder's ha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Two Part Cherry Corner Cupboard circa 1820
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal two part corner cupboard, its upper case with a single glass door, opening to a light green painted interior with two shelves, over a lower case with two ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th c American Cherry Two Part Step Back Cupboard w/Tiger Maple Drawer Fronts
Located in Milford, NH
A fine cherry two part step back cupboard, its upper case with a molded cornice surmounting a center three panel window, flanked by two glazed glass doors which open to a light blue ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Cherry, Maple
Vintage George Washington Standing Bookends
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a vintage set of George Washington bookends. The bookends depict George Washington standing, with his hand resting on a classical column. Washington wears a suit with long...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Federal Lyre Base Card Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice Federal Mahogany Lyre / harp base card table 1800-1815. Original surface with an excellent color and patina on the nicely figured solid Cuban Mahogany one board canted ...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Md-Century Federal / Sheraton Style Carved Mahogany Sofa
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a vintage Federal or Sheraton style carved mahogany sofa attributed to Hickory White Furniture. Note the tapered legs and arm supports. The upholstery is a cotton-linen ble...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany, Down
Antique 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
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Federal Mahogany Demilune Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal or Hepplewhite style demilune cabinet or sideboard server
By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection
USA, Circa 1980s
Beautiful mahogany, with ori...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of 2 Hitchcock Black Federal Side Chairs, Rush Seats.
By Hitchcock
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of 2 Hitchcock Black Federal Side Chairs, Rush Seats.
These vintage Hitchcock chairs are black lacquer painted and embellished with ochr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Rush, Wood
19th Century American Federal Style Overmantel Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th Century American Federal style gilt wood mirror is a quintessential example of the elegance and symmetry that define the Federal design aesthetic. Its frame, adorned with s...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Mid 20th Century Mahogany Traditional Federal Wall Mirror
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Traditional Federal style wall mirror, unbranded, similar quality to Drexel or Lexington. Mirrored glass, mahogany frame with pediment and center finial to top. Made in the USA, in...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Kittinger Federal Inlaid Mahogany Ten-Drawer Dresser, Newly Refinished
By Kittinger
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal or Georgian style ten-drawer dresser or chest of drawers
By Kittinger
USA, Circa 1960s
Gorgeous mahogany, with satinwood inlay, and original brass hardware....
Category
1960s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Federal Style Gilt Wood Tabernacle Pier Mirror
Located in Free Union, VA
A large and handsome American Federal Style mirror of very good quality in the Federal style, likely made in Italy in the second half of the 20th century. Clusters of colonnettes at ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Paint
Large Honey Dark Amber Brown Burl Walnut Square Two Tier Coffee Table Wheel MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Honey Dark Amber Brown Burl Walnut Square Two Tier Coffee Table Wheel MINT
Category
20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century 4 Drawers Pull Out Tray Flame Mahogany Bachelor Chest Brass
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique 19th Century Federal Style 4 Drawers pull out tray flame mahogany bachelor chest brass
Pulls Dovetail Drawers.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Centennial Federal Style Cherry Queen Size Canopy Bed
Located in Germantown, MD
A Centennial Federal Style canopy queen size bed in good vintage condition.
Measures 65"in width, 86.75" in depth and stands 86.5" to the top of the posters. Headboard is 42.5" high...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Dimensions : 104" Tall X 26" Wide X 15.5" Deep
This gorgeous grandfather clock was made in the late 19th ...
Category
1890s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
Potthast Brothers Mid Century American Federal Mahogany Handcrafted Side Table
By Potthast Company
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
New England (Massachusetts) Federal Mahogany Hunt Board Inlaid Sideboard
Located in Free Union, VA
A striking breakfront sideboard from the Boston area with handsome maple cross banding around each drawer and cabinet and tiger maple inlay panels set into each stile. The top drawer...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Birch, Mahogany
Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany 2 Drawer Work Stand Side Table Nightstand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany 2 Drawer Work Stand Side Table Nightstand. Item features 2 dovetail constructed drawers, tapered legs, brass hardware, beautiful wood grain. Circa 1...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
MINT Brass Gallery Crotch Mahogany Serpentine Front Federal Sideboard Thomasvill
Located in Rockaway, NJ
MINT Brass Gallery Crotch Mahogany Serpentine Front Federal Sideboard by Thomasville.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Theodore Alexander Sheraton Style Mahogany Brown Leather Side Desk Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite late 20th century side chair by Theodore Alexander. Designed in the manner of Sheraton / Federal styling with a sculptural back and large seat over square tapered legs ...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Late 1700's American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Corner Cabinet w/ Dentil Molding
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 18th Century American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Corner Cabinet with an overhanging dentil molded cornice above the upper section with a diamond pattern individually glazed divided...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
Mid 20th Century American Federal Mahogany Trestle Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century American Federal dark Mahogany trestle Console Table.
Measures 30" in width, 11" in depth and stands 30" in height.
Very good vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Kindel Federal Style Eagle and Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
Kindel Furniture Federal Style Eagle and Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror. Measures 20.75" in width and 45" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
American Federal Inlaid-Mahogany Card Game Table, Massachusetts ca. 1810
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID-MAHOGANY GAMES TABLE
North Shore, Massachusetts ca. 1810 Provenance: Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc. New York, label retained verso
Item # 401PKI25A
A very ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Inlaid Mahogany Federal Demilune Console or Entry Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal style demilune console table or entry table
By Laura Ashley for Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1990s
Mahogany, with inlaid floral marquetry.
Measures: 30"W x 14"D ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Style Mahogany Sideboard
By Tomlinson
Located in Elkton, MD
Vintage federal-style mahogany sideboard by Tomlinson of High Point with beautiful brass hardware. It features two large drawers in the middle,...
Category
1930s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th C. American Federal Floral Painted Bench
Located in Southampton, NJ
An Antique American Federal hand painted floral & fruits solid wood bench with rolled crest rail & scroll arms; most likely originating in Baltimore mid 19th c. Scarcely seen in thi...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Silk Broadside An Elegiac Poem Death of President George Washington 1800
Located in Portland, OR
An important & rare antique American political printed silk broadside, an elegy on the death of President George Washington, dated 1800.
A poem on the Death of President George Was...
Category
1790s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silk
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
Antique Tall Chest Of Drawers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsome Antique Chest with fine traditional form and good color. Antique tall chest of drawers with three over two over four graduated drawers. T...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Period American Federal Neoclassical Round Expanding Dining Table
By Cornelius Briggs
Located in Essex, MA
Period Boston Federal mahogany round dining table with four extension leaves (original)
Split pedestal base with four Round neoclassical column pedestal, Cuban and African Crotch ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1940s Mahogany Bobbing Semi Post Full Size Bed Frame
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1940s Solid Mahogany Bobbing Semi Posters Full Size Bed Frame on original wheels. Wheels are removable. Measures 57.25" in width, 82.75" in leng...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1940s Mahogany Pinneaple Semi -Posters Full Size Bed Frame
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1940s Solid Mahogany pineapple Semi Posters Full Size Bed Frame. Measures 57" in width, 82" in length and 47" tall at the tip of the headboard p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Tea Table or Occasional Side Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style tea table or occasional side table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Mahogany, with beautiful satinwood inlaid marquetry, original ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
c.1880s Fine One Drawer Inlayed Solid Crotch Mahogany Top Console Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
c.1880s Fine One Drawer Inlayed Solid Crotch Mahogany Top Console Table Server Petite Desk Sideboard w/ Backsplash MINT!
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Federal Inlaid Mahogany Console Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style console table, sofa table, or entry table
By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection
USA, Circa 1980s
Mahogany, with inlaid satin...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
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 Federal Style Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome late 19th century drop-leaf dining table made in the Georgian influenced federal style. The mahogany table features a delicate satinwood thread inlay decorating the legs and...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
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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