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
Period: 19th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Antique 19th Century Federal Giltwood Convex Bullseye Eagle Acanthus Mirror 31"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th Century gold giltwood bullseye / convex wall mirror featuring a round frame carved with an American eagle with wings outstretched and bunches of acanthus leaves, over a ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Philadelphia Federal Wardrobe / Armoire in West Indies Mahogany c. !820
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional American Federal wardrobe from Philadelphia in fine West Indies mahogany. Features split cylindrical columns with elaborate acanthus-carved Corinthian capitals flanking doors with book matched, crotch-mahogany panels. The stepped ogee-style crown molding, too, is expertly book matched, along with the concave base board...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 Gilt and Ebonized Dolphin Foliage Convex Mirror. Circa 1800
By A. Belokopytoff
Located in Hollywood, 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
Windsor Highchair In Original Paint Circa 1820
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful American, windsor, arrow-back high chair in original surface.
Circa 1820, this chair is in excellent condition with an incredible surface history.
The splayed legs are much...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple, Paint
Early 19th Century American Walnut Federal Style Drop-Front Desk
Located in Louisville, KY
Circa 1830's, this walnut Federal Sheraton style plantation desk has a single front drawer on the lower desk and double doors on the upper piece. The double doors open to reveal intr...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Mahogany Swell Front Card Table, Bell Flower & Eagle Inlay, C1830
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Lower In-House Shipping Rates - Reliable Service, Competitive Rates & Fully Insured***
An antique Federal game table offers mahogany construction in swell front form wi...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Corner Cupboard in Early Yellow Paint with Glazed Doors & Barrel Back
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a one piece Federal period New England corner cupboard with a barrel back , a molded cornice with dentil molding surmounting two upper case glazed glass multi-panel...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Pine
Antique Mahogany Demilune Flip Top Console Game Table with Hidden Drawe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mahogany Demilune Flip Top Console Game Table with Rear Drawer. Item features a hidden pull out rear drawer with hand dovetail, flip top, nicely carved details, beautiful woo...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Empire Pier Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
An early Empire giltwood pier mirror with rope twist split column, flower basket and leaf blocks with acorn spherules and original mercury glass, c.1815-1840.
29 inches wide by 5 ¼...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
1818 Declaration of Independence Broadside Engraved by Benjamin Owen Tyler
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a stunning 1818 engraving of the Declaration of Independence, the first engraved broadside of our nation’s founding document. The year 1815 saw the conclusion of the United S...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Rare Pair Antique American Federal Convex "Bullseye" Mirrors, Circa 1850-1870.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare Pair Antique American Federal Convex "Bullseye" Mirrors, Circa 1850-1870. Carved Gilt Wood and Metal.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
American 44 Star Flag, circa 1891
Located in Nantucket, MA
Rare Antique American 44 Star Flag, circa 1891, marking admission of Wyoming as a state in 1891. This was an official flag of the United States for only five years, making it one of ...
Category
1890s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Muslin
Antique 18th Century Pine Wall Hanging Corner Cabinet With Painted Blue Interior
Located in Peabody, MA
An 18th century New England hanging pine corner cupboard ca. 1760 with a Prussian-blue arched interior and paned glass doors.
Category
Mid-18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Pine, Paint
American Federal Period Maple Chest, Late 18th C
Located in New York, NY
American Federal period Maple chest, late 18th century, rectangular with molded cornice over four long drawers with brass lock plates and pulls on bracket feet.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
19th C. Federal Style Gilt Wood Mirror w/ Eagle & Cornucopias
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
19th century federal style mirror, hand carved and intact, two cornucopias filled flanking either side of the eagle.
Classic design element of the federal period (much like the con...
Category
1880s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Federal Cherry One Drawer Stand With Inlay American
Located in Hudson, NY
Federal cherry, inlaid one drawer stand, first quarter 19th century likely Connecticut. The rectangular mahogany cross-banded and geometric inlaid top with birdseye maple, mahogany a...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine, Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Mahogany
Federal Bow Front Hepplewhite Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice and clean Federal Mahogany Hepplewhite chest with cock beaded drawers and resting on a tall French foot. Very good condition ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Stunning Federal Pine Corner Cupboard, Virginia, Circa:1815
Located in Alexandria, VA
This late Georgian pine corner cupboard, more than 200 years old, bears all the hallmarks of a piece of architectural detail from a circa 1815 house of a wealthy Virginian of the era...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
American Federal Maple Candlestand
Located in Essex, MA
Circular fixed top with umbrella shaped inlay of exotic woods. Turned support with tripod splayed legs.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
18th Century Large Liverpool Cream Ware Jug for the American Market, circa 1780s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Late 18th Century Large Liverpool Cream Ware Jug Made for the American Market, circa 1780s, an extremely large soft paste pottery pitcher made by the English Liverpool potteries for ...
Category
1780s English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pottery
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
Federal Early 19th Century Sheraton Bow Front Cookie Corner Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Exceptional early 19th century Sheraton bow front chest of drawers. The case is constructed of lovely flame mahogany. There are four drawers a...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Rare Match Pair Of Boston Servers / Dressing Tables
Located in Hudson, NY
A fine, rare to find matched pair of Boston federal servers / dressing tables with backboard and scrolled sideboards on rectangular tops. The frame has ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Pine
Early 18thC Pembroke Drop Leaf Side Table/Drawer
Located in Malibu, CA
18thC antique New England Pembroke drop leaf table, beautifully constructed. Featuring a long drawer, the opposite side has a faux drawer with match...
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Hardwood
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 Brass Federal Branch Leg Urn Finial Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Brass Federal Branch Leg Urn Finial Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 12" W x 19" D.
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century Folding Sewing Table with Yardstick Top
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A unique and charming piece of sewing history, this antique wood folding sewing or tailor’s table from the 1800s is perfect for enthusiasts who appreciate the nostalgia and functionality of vintage sewing furniture...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early American Federal Period Flame Mahogany Antique Wash Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and stunning Federal period (1789-1823) early American flame mahogany wash stand. circa 1810
Exquisitely hand-crafted in the Northeastern United States in the early 19th cent...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Brass Lemon Top Andirons with Cabriole Legs and Slipper Feet
Located in Wells, ME
American Federal cast brass seamed 20 inch high lemon top andirons with slipper feet and iron log holders. This pair of quite substantial andirons retain their original lemon top l...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Circa 1800-1805 Mahogany Federal Hepplewhite Tambour Desk, Massachusetts
Located in Louisville, KY
This stunning inlaid Mahogany Federal Hepplewhite Tambour Desk, most likely originated in the Massachusetts area between 1800-1805 time period...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Federal Eagle Gilt Wood Bullseye Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Federal Eagle Round Gilt Wood Frame Mirror. The frame consists of 15 round balls framed by garlands and flowers with an eagle with wide spread wings atop of frame.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Sheraton Giltwood Mirror, c.1830
Located in Savannah, GA
A Sheraton giltwood mirror, circa 1830.
Antique plate; original gilding with some early retouching.
23 inches wide by 34 inches tall by 3 inches deep
Category
1830s Unknown Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Limner Portrait of Young Gentleman, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A limner portrait of a young gentleman, early 19th Century.
Oil on canvas in egg and dart frame.
Canvas: 8 ½ by 10 ½ inches
Frame: 13 ½ by 15 ¾ inches
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Antique Mahogany Tilt Top Federal Sheraton Pedestal Base Side Tea Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mahogany Tilt Top Federal Sheraton Pedestal Base Side Tea Table. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: (Flat): 29.5" H x 24" W x 19.75" D (Top).
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Late 19th Century King Size American Mahogany Four Poster Bed
Located in Charleston, SC
This wonderful New York Four Poster bed has a simple poplar headboard and tester for draping. The mahogany foot post have a block spade foot below the bed bolts. The post continue up...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Poplar
Classic Antique American Wing Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine Antique American Wing Chair with Classic form and great comfort. The Chair has flat-panel arms, sinuous leg with pad foot and a fiber wrapped down seat cushion. The chair is cus...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Federal Tennessee Cherry Huntboard
Located in Bradenton, FL
American federal Cherry Huntboard or 1800-1820 on carved concave fluted legs. One center door storage compartment between two large deep drawers on ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
19th Century Carved and Painted Ship's Billethead
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Carved and Painted Ship's Billethead, second half 19th Century, a scroll carved and painted wooden ornament from the bow of a ship.
A billethead was a smaller carving used in place of a figurehead, mounted under the bowsprit of a ship. As the 19th Century progressed and the age of clipper ships saw a move towards ever more extreme clipper bows, there was a need to eliminate unnecessary weight aboard ship, especially in the bow (to avoid burying the nose into every wave), so billet heads...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Federal Style Mahogany Mirror With Carved Giltwood Grouse
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique mahogany frame federal mirror wall gold gilt carved bird. Item features gold gilt carved bird, carved and shaped frame, wood frame, beautiful wood gr...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror, Mahogany
Rare Early 19th Century American Porcelain Pitcher by Tucker & Hemphill
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine and rare, early 19th century Tucker and Hemphill porcelain pitcher.
Of classic form with typical polychrome floral sprays to both sides and gilt decoration.
Tucker and Hemphill was the important first large-scale producer of porcelain in America. They operated in Philadelphia from 1826-1838, and pieces are extraordinarily hard to find and highly coveted by American collectors.
For comparable examples, visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art's online collection.
Simply a wonderful piece of early American porcelain...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
American Federal Girandole Ebonized Eagle Gilt Wood Foliage Convex Mirror C 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal girandole gilt wood and gesso convex mirror with a central ebonized eagle perched to flee with ball and chain, flanking double acanthus foliage medallion candle arms...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Ebony, Giltwood
Mahogany Federal Philadelphia Work Table, Circa 1810
Located in Alexandria, VA
This handsome unique sewing/work stand is quintessentially the work of a master Philadelphia cabinetmaker. It has 2 drawers with replaced hand-cast solid brass pulls and original bra...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Giltwood Mirror with Rosette Corners and Fruit Panel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An antique carved giltwood wall mirror from the 1800s featuring a rectangular frame with rosette corners and a basket of fruit panel at the top. It is made of wood and gilded with g...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Monumental Giltwood Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
A truly, exceptional and most fine example of the neoclassical mastery. This monumental mirror will make a truly shows-stopping statement in any parlor it is displayed.
Very forma...
Category
17th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Leaf
New York Mahogany Federal Butlers Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A New York flame mahogany federal butler's desk with drop down (side snap operation) door revealing a green leatherette tooled work surface. The interior with a center door concealing storage and an inside drawer that is flanked by two "secret" panels with string inlay and further enhanced by pigeon holes and short and long drawers.
The overall desk presents with string inlay decorated deep top desk over three long drawers in rich flame mahogany veneers. The drawers with embossed brass hardware and the whole resting on bracket feet. Lacking a key.
Dimensions: 23 1/4" D, 47" W, 44 3/4" H
Condition: Please see all detail photos. Various age related wear include one missing tiny...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century American cherry one drawer stand with turned legs and feet
Located in Charleston, SC
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
Rare Antique late 18th C. Federal Period Brass & Wirework Bowfront Nursery Guard
Located in Charleston, SC
This is a marvelous period, late 18th century "Adam" style wirework and brass trim bowfront Fireplace Fender with original blackened wire work hand woven in Adam swags. The wirework...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel, Wire
Federal Birch Slant Front Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice early 19th century Federal Birch New England Slant Lid Desk likely New Hampshire in origin around 1800-1830. Made of solid Birch with four large graduated inlaid drawers ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Birch
American Federal Gilt Wood Convex Mirror with Perched Eagle to Flee, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, 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
Ebony, Giltwood, Wood, Mirror, Gesso
American Gilt Wood and Ebonized Foliage Convex Wall Mirror, Circa 1825
Located in Hollywood, SC
American gilt wood and ebonized foliage convex mirror. Early 19th century. Mirror retains the original silvered glass and wood backing.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Federal Fireplace Mantel Found in Maine
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Crafted in the Federal style with a striking paneled frieze and light cream paint finish, this antique fireplace mantel brings elegance, and also adds some Arts and Crafts era touche...
Category
19th Century North American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique 19th Century 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 and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 colonies around the inside ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Very Fine Antique Secretary Bookcase with Brass Eagle Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Well constructed with fine mahogany veneer with Federal style brass eagle finial on a pedestal. The carved cornice with urn form finials over a carv...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
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
2 Antique Chelsea Porcelain Staffordshire Miniature Confetti Spaniel Dog Anchor
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of antique Chelsea Porcelain miniature 18th century Staffordshire figurines in the shape of brown spotted King Charles Spaniels or poodles....
Category
18th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
American Federal Tiger Maple One Drawer Stand with Turned Ringed Legs C. 1820
Located in Hollywood, 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
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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