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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
19th C. Carved And Gilt Convex Mirror for Restoration
19th C. Carved And Gilt Convex Mirror for Restoration

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 Federal Drop Leaf Dining Table in West Indies Mahogany New York, c 1820
American Federal Drop Leaf Dining Table in West Indies Mahogany New York, c 1820

American Federal Drop Leaf Dining Table in West Indies Mahogany New York, c 1820

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

A handsome American Federal or Empire Pembroke table in fine West Indies mahogany with two drop leaves. This period breakfast table is supported by a reeded, vase-turned column on a ...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

James Hansell Philadelphia Mahogany 8 Day Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial
James Hansell Philadelphia Mahogany 8 Day Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial

James Hansell Philadelphia Mahogany 8 Day Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial

Located in Milford, NH

A fine mahogany case tall clock with 8-day brass works by Philadelphia clockmaker James Hansell (1791-1865), who was the proprietor of his own clock and watch shop from 1816 through ...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century Federal Inlaid Mahogany Demilune Fold Top Console / Card Table
19th Century Federal Inlaid Mahogany Demilune Fold Top Console / Card Table

19th Century Federal Inlaid Mahogany Demilune Fold Top Console / Card Table

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th Century Federal Inlaid Mahogany Demilune Fold Top Console / Card Table in clean antique Condition. Measures 36" in width, 17.5" in depth folded, 35" in depth unfolded and 29.5...

Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Federal Style Flip-top Mahogany Table
Federal Style Flip-top Mahogany Table

Federal Style Flip-top Mahogany Table

By Big Rapids Furniture Company

Located in San Francisco, CA

Who doesn’t love versatility? Especially in tight spaces. On offer here is an elegant flip-top piece that folds open with a gate-leg mechanism to serve as a full-size table for games or intimate dining. Then, with good manners, it folds back up to be tucked against a wall as a console table. Crafted in Michigan by Big Rapids Furniture...

Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Cherry Hand-Planed Gate-Legged, Drop Leaf Dining Table
Early 19th Century Cherry Hand-Planed Gate-Legged, Drop Leaf Dining Table

Early 19th Century Cherry Hand-Planed Gate-Legged, Drop Leaf Dining Table

Located in Louisville, KY

Not your ordinary drop-leaf table, this early 19th century cherry gate-leg, drop-leaf table was hand-planed and hand-turned to create a wonderful dining table that doubles as a conso...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Vintage Federal Chippendale Mahogany Inlaid Beveled Glass Mirror 37"
Vintage Federal Chippendale Mahogany Inlaid Beveled Glass Mirror 37"

Vintage Federal Chippendale Mahogany Inlaid Beveled Glass Mirror 37"

Located in Dayton, OH

Vintage 20th century Federal / Chippendale style wall mirror - rectangular beveled glass mirror with carved mahogany frame with oval patera fan inlay. 5 0 1 2187. Dimensions: 23" ...

Category

Late 20th Century Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

20th Century American Federal Giltwood Overmantel Mirror.
20th Century American Federal Giltwood Overmantel Mirror.

20th Century American Federal Giltwood Overmantel Mirror.

Located in Vero Beach, FL

20th Century American Federal Giltwood Overmantel Mirror. This American Federal antique mirror dates to the 20th Century. The symmetrical giltwood frame is rectangular in form and ...

Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

American Federal Gilt Wood Convex Mirror with Perched Eagle to Flee, Circa 1820
American Federal Gilt Wood Convex Mirror with Perched Eagle to Flee, Circa 1820

American Federal Gilt Wood Convex Mirror with Perched Eagle to Flee, Circa 1820

Located in Charleston, SC

American Federal gilt carved wood and gesso convex mirror with perched eagle to flee, flanking acanthus scrolled foliage, interior circular spheres, ebonized reeded ring, and termina...

Category

1820s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Ebony

Federal Style Stained Mahogany Two-Drawer Side Table Nightstand, Circa 1940s
Federal Style Stained Mahogany Two-Drawer Side Table Nightstand, Circa 1940s

Federal Style Stained Mahogany Two-Drawer Side Table Nightstand, Circa 1940s

Located in Germantown, MD

A Late 19th Century Eastlake Style Walnut and Marble Tip Oval Rolling Side Table. Dimensions: 17.5" in width, 14" in depth and 28.25 inches in height.

Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

John Widdicomb Federal Green Lacquered Console or Entry Table, Newly Refinished
John Widdicomb Federal Green Lacquered Console or Entry Table, Newly Refinished

John Widdicomb Federal Green Lacquered Console or Entry Table, Newly Refinished

By John Widdicomb

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Federal, Regency, or Hepplewhite style writing desk, entry table, sofa table, or console table By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1920s Green lacquered mahogany, with...

Category

1920s American Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table
19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table

19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table . Measures 17.5" in width close, 34" in width open, 24.5" in depth and stands 26" tall.

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror

American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror

Located in Elkhart, IN

A Federal-style giltwood convex mirror crowned with a carved eagle, its wings outstretched above a laurel motif—an enduring symbol drawn from early American design. The circular fra...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Federal Mahogany Card Table
Federal Mahogany Card Table

Federal Mahogany Card Table

Located in East Aurora, NY

American mahogany inlaid Hepplewhite fold top card table Circa 1790-1800. Tapered straight legs terminating at the feet in simple cuff inlay. Shape...

Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

American Federal Style Mahogany Single Drawer Side Table
American Federal Style Mahogany Single Drawer Side Table

American Federal Style Mahogany Single Drawer Side Table

Located in Germantown, MD

American Federal Style Mahogany Single Drawer Side Table Measures 18" in width, 18" in depth, 30" in height.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror

American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror

Located in Elkhart, IN

A Federal-style giltwood convex mirror crowned with a carved eagle, its wings outstretched above a laurel motif—an enduring symbol drawn from early American design. The circular fra...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Antique Federal Style Bow Front Figured Mahogany Chest
Antique Federal Style Bow Front Figured Mahogany Chest

Antique Federal Style Bow Front Figured Mahogany Chest

Located in Bridgeport, CT

The fine chest with four graduated drawers each with fine string inlay and with a pair of brass oval bales decorated with a classical columned rotunda and brass key holes. All drawer...

Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Elmer O. Stennes, Weymouth MA Mahogany Grandmother Clock
Elmer O. Stennes, Weymouth MA Mahogany Grandmother Clock

Elmer O. Stennes, Weymouth MA Mahogany Grandmother Clock

By Elmer O. Stennes

Located in Milford, NH

A 20th century grandmother tall clock made by Elmer Stennes (1911-1975) of Weymouth Massachusetts. The mahogany case features an arched bonnet with delicate carved fretwork, and thre...

Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table

Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique American Federal / Georgian style mahogany drop leaf dining table featuring rectangular form with two large drop leaves, gatelegs, and brass castors. Circa early 19th centur...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

"Washington Bicentennial 1732-1932" Parade Flag, Printed, circa 1930
"Washington Bicentennial 1732-1932" Parade Flag, Printed, circa 1930

"Washington Bicentennial 1732-1932" Parade Flag, Printed, circa 1930

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Presented is a George Washington Bicentennial parade flag from 1932. The flag is printed with blue, white, and red stripes, with a prominent bust portrait of George Washington at cen...

Category

1930s American Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Antique Ca. 1820 Federal Era Trompe L'oeil Painted Chest
Antique Ca. 1820 Federal Era Trompe L'oeil Painted Chest

Antique Ca. 1820 Federal Era Trompe L'oeil Painted Chest

Located in Peabody, MA

American Federal era chest of drawers in its original trompe l’oeil mustard painted finish, ca. 1820.

Category

1820s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Double Drawers Tiered Wash Stand
Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Double Drawers Tiered Wash Stand

Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Double Drawers Tiered Wash Stand

Located in Germantown, MD

An Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Double Drawers Tiered Wash Stand. Measures 33" in width, 18" in depth and 30" in Height and 35" in height to the top of the back splash.

Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Cast-Iron Eagle Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Vintage Cast-Iron Eagle Sculpture, Early 20th Century

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

Federal Early 19th Century American Tiger Maple Small Drop Leaf Table
Federal Early 19th Century American Tiger Maple Small Drop Leaf Table

Federal Early 19th Century American Tiger Maple Small Drop Leaf Table

Located in Hudson, NY

Made in Vermont circa 1820 this fine old country drop leaf table retains if not its original surface a very old one. Constructed by a craftsmen using pegs and hand plained local tige...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Maple

19th Century Federal Bow Front Mahogany Single Drawer Side Table
19th Century Federal Bow Front Mahogany Single Drawer Side Table

19th Century Federal Bow Front Mahogany Single Drawer Side Table

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th Century Federal Bow Front Mahogany Single Drawer Side Table. Measures 30" in width, 19.5" in depth and 29" in height. Knee height 24.5"

Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Federal Butlers Desk
Federal Butlers Desk

Federal Butlers Desk

Located in East Aurora, NY

Very attractive Mahogany southern Federal Butlers Desk probably mid Atlantic states around 1820-30. Large bottle drawers on either side of a nicely fi...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Federal Oval Dining Table
Antique Federal Oval Dining Table

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

Vintage Ferguson Bros Federal Curved Glass Mahogany Wall Hanging Curio Cabinet
Vintage Ferguson Bros Federal Curved Glass Mahogany Wall Hanging Curio Cabinet

Vintage Ferguson Bros Federal Curved Glass Mahogany Wall Hanging Curio Cabinet

Located in Germantown, MD

A Vintage wall hanging Federal style display cabinet with a rounded curved glass front, mirrored interior and three shelves, topped with a scrolled pediment and three trophy shaped f...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Corinithian Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Corinithian Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art

Corinithian Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A plaster study of a corinthian column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Plaster

Ionic Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Ionic Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art

Ionic Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A plaster study of an ionic column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Plaster

Fine 19th Century American Federal Period Mahogany Sofa
Fine 19th Century American Federal Period Mahogany Sofa

Fine 19th Century American Federal Period Mahogany Sofa

Located in Richmond, VA

Fine 19th century American federal period mahogany sofa on 6 turned and carved legs. Beautifully done, the arms and back rails are reeded and there are little rosettes carved where t...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Baltimore Federal Classical Silver Ladle by Gould & Ward
Antique Baltimore Federal Classical Silver Ladle by Gould & Ward

Antique Baltimore Federal Classical Silver Ladle by Gould & Ward

Located in New York, NY

Federal Classical silver ladle. Made by Gould & Ward in Baltimore, ca 1820. Upturned fiddle terminal engraved with script monogram. Marked “Gould & Ward Baltimore” with “11-12”, whic...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of American 19th Century Grain Painted Cannonball Twin Beds
Pair of American 19th Century Grain Painted Cannonball Twin Beds

Pair of American 19th Century Grain Painted Cannonball Twin Beds

Located in Essex, MA

Pair of American Federal Grain Painted and Decorated Twin Cannonball Beds. Most likely Maine. Circa 1830. Retaining original paint decoration of the Federal Period Mixed woods, ma...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Maple

Antique Mahogany Wood Federal Style Credenza / Sideboard
Antique Mahogany Wood Federal Style Credenza / Sideboard

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

Neoclassical Federal Pedestal Sideboard in Mahogany, circa 1815
Neoclassical Federal Pedestal Sideboard in Mahogany, circa 1815

Neoclassical Federal Pedestal Sideboard in Mahogany, circa 1815

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

A very long and elegant American Federal, pedestal sideboard in mahogany with mahogany inlaid bandings along the borders. Inspired by the classical architecture of ancient Greece and...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century American Federal Secretary, Seymour School, Boston
19th Century American Federal Secretary, Seymour School, Boston

19th Century American Federal Secretary, Seymour School, Boston

By John & Thomas Seymour

Located in Essex, MA

Important American Federal Period Secretary. School of John and Thomas Seymour, Boston, circa 1820. Mahogany and Mahogany Veneered Case on Pine Secondary Wood. Two Gothic Fenestra...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

American Federal Style Mahogany & Satinwood Inlaid Sofa Green Striped Upholstery
American Federal Style Mahogany & Satinwood Inlaid Sofa Green Striped Upholstery

American Federal Style Mahogany & Satinwood Inlaid Sofa Green Striped Upholstery

Located in Morristown, NJ

A refined American Federal style sofa crafted in richly toned mahogany with luminous satinwood inlay, featuring gracefully scrolled ends, tapered and fluted legs, and elegant neoclas...

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Satinwood, American Mahogany

Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Federal Inlaid Mahogany Console
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Federal Inlaid Mahogany Console

Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Federal Inlaid Mahogany Console

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style console or entry table By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetry. Me...

Category

1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Antique 19th American Federal Period Chest Of Drawers
Antique 19th American Federal Period Chest Of Drawers

Antique 19th American Federal Period Chest Of Drawers

Located in Bridgeport, CT

The chest is designed in the Federal or Sheraton style, often featuring straight lines and delicate proportions. The chest with four graduated drawers with well cast brass hardware f...

Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Federal Giltwood Eagle Convex Mirror, 20th Century
Large Federal Giltwood Eagle Convex Mirror, 20th Century

Large Federal Giltwood Eagle Convex Mirror, 20th Century

Located in Elkhart, IN

A beautiful large Federal-style convex mirror, crowned by a finely modeled spread-wing eagle above an elaborate composition and carved giltwood frame. Laurel branches, floral rosette...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

NYC Federal Full Tester Bed Attributable to Lannuier w Four Floral-Carved Posts
NYC Federal Full Tester Bed Attributable to Lannuier w Four Floral-Carved Posts

NYC Federal Full Tester Bed Attributable to Lannuier w Four Floral-Carved Posts

By Charles-Honoré Lannuier

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

An exceptional American Federal sleigh bed with tester in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany with beautifully-articulated floral and acanthus-leaf carvings, along the crest of the headboard and footboard, and on the four posts, attributable to the French-born cabinetmaker Charles-Honoré Lannuier...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Kindel Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Refinished
Kindel Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Refinished

Kindel Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Refinished

By Kindel Furniture

Located in South Bend, IN

A beautiful Federal or Hepplewhite style extension dining table By Kindel Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous book-matched mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetry. Measures: 80...

Category

1980s American Vintage 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.