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: Early 20th Century
Vintage Federal Style Triple Pedestal Drop-Leaf Dining Table, circa 1940s
Located in Germantown, MD
Very practical Vintage Federal Style Triple Pedestal Drop-Leaf Dining Table.
Triple pedestal terminating with antique brass lion paw feet. Original...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century E.F. Caldwell Leaded Glass Lantern
Located in Canton, MA
A hexagonal leaded glass lantern. The glass panels are wheel engraved with a curved foliate flower basket design. The top panels slant to the top and have clear round glass pieces. T...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Lead
Pair of Large American Federal Style Brass Ornate Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
Amazingly decorated pair of large American Federal style brass ornate andirons.
This is very heavy and in polished brass ornate with carved brass flowers...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Large E.F. Caldwell Gilt Bronze and White Glass Pendant Light
Located in Canton, MA
A Federal style pendant lantern with opalescent glass and patinated bronze with gilt bronze details. It is of a scale appropriate for an institut...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century Federal Style Continental Brass Lanterns, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful pair of Federal style brass lanterns with eagle pediment. They have a made in Holland label. They are not wired and were likely operated via oil.
Category
Early 20th Century European Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 1900s Carved Walnut Durfee Case Elliot Movement 5 Tube Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular clock with what I believe is a solid carved walnut Durfee case and and has an Elliot of London movement. The case has some signs of wear and is in it's original...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Federal Brass Iron Spiral Twist Finial Branch Legs Ball Claw Andirons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Federal brass and cast iron spiral twist finial branch legs ball & claw andirons. Item features remarkable authentic patina, spiral twist...
Category
Early 20th Century English Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Terra Cotta Federal Eagles 'Pair'
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Early antique federal eagles [pair] beautiful glaze. ca 1900, came from an antique collectors personal collection, you can see a repair on one of the eag...
Category
Early 20th Century French Federal Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
American Chippendale Mahogany Chest
Located in New York, NY
American Chippendale style mahogany chest on chest cabinet with 7 drawers below 3 shell carved small drawers with flame form finials and broken pe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Persian Bakhtiari Rug with Federal American Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
73283, antique Persian Bakhtiari rug with Federal American Colonial style. With a timeless botanical pattern and naturalistic design elements, this han...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Large American Federal Style Eagle Wood Carved Two-Light Sconce
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This wood carved and gold gilded antique sconce features a majestic eagle with spread wings beneath a tied bow. The candle arms are of patinated scrolled brass and very finely detail...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Federal Cast Brass Sconces with Eagles and Hurricane Glass Shades, ca 1920s
Located in New York, NY
AIS2912
A pair of single light federal Revival period sconces with clear glass hurricane shades and slender backplates surmounted by eagles, circa 1920...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Late 19th Century Regency Carved and Ebonized Giltwood Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th or very early 20th century Regency carved and ebonized giltwood bullseye mirror. The convex mirror framed in a spectacular ebony and gilt decorated frame with a lower carvi...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Distressed Antique Persian Mahal Design Rug with Relaxed Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
52616, distressed antique Persian Mahal design rug with Relaxed Federal style. Highlighting Persian design aesthetics and stylish levels of compl...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
1920s Acid Etched Frosted Glass Federal Style Globe Pendant Light
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1920s, Federal style, acid etched, frosted glass, globe pendant light depicting American eagle and stars and stripes with brass fitter, chain and canopy. The pendant is newly wired a...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Neoclassic Adam Federal Style Window Bench as Found
Located in New York, NY
Nice Adam (Federal) style bench with tapestry fabric top (worn). This example will need to be reupholstered, it is structurally sound and sturdy, and in original finish (missing one ...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Adams Style Hand Painted Banded Leather Flip Top Demilune Console Game Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Lovely Vintage Federal Style Hand Painted Flip Top Demilune Console/Game Table. The table features delicately painted floral motifs on the skirt and ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood
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
Brass, Wrought Iron
Pair of Federal Eagle Carved Gilt Wall Sconces, Two Lights, 19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
A fine pair of two-light wall sconce. Each ribbon form in the Federal taste having gilt tassels and bow design with ebonized hi lights. Both depicting a winged eagle in flight. Hard...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Jewel Tone Fine Quality Antique Persian Malayer Narrow Horizontal Woven Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century horizontally handwoven Persian Malayer rug with a green field, accents in red and gold
Measures: 1'7" x 4'3".
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Brass Andirons with Urn Finials and Pad Feet, Circa 1920s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0547
A pair of antique brass andirons topped with urn finials and having pad feet in their original soft polished finish. Circa 1920s.
Dimensions:
Overall: 24-1/2" H. x 11" W....
Category
1920s Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Iron, Brass
Brass and Blackened Wrought Iron Knife Blade Andirons, Circa 1900s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0539
A pair of antique 18th century style wrought iron andirons with full round brass details atop knife blade bodies, circa 1900s.
Dimensions:
Overall...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Stunning Room Size Traditional Rust Abrash Antique Persian Sarouk Ferehan Rug
Located in New York, NY
Beautifl abrashes highlight this early 20th century Antique Persian Sarouk Ferehan. Rust Background with pretty shades in predominant blue and brown accents
Measures: 8'7'' x 11'7...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early 20th-C. Federal Style Sofa W/ Painted Gustavian Finish & White Upholstery
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early Federal style sofa that has been given a fresh update with a Swedish / Gustavian antique finish. The white upholstery is in very go...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany, Paint
Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Corner Etagere with Drawer
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th century four-tier Federal Style corner shelf with one drawer measuring 22" in width, 16" in depth and standing 57.75" in height. Shelf clearances are 10.25".
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
L. J. Frazier American Federal Giltwood Wall Mirror, Circa 1910s
By Larry Frazier
Located in Germantown, MD
American federal giltwood wall mirror, Circa 1910s by L. J. Frazier.
Giltwood frame in very good shape. Original Mirror shows signs of aging, but in good condition. Circa 1910s.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
1910s Pair of Petite Bronze Federal Two-Arm Wall Sconces, Floral Details
Located in New York, NY
1910s pair of petite Federal style floral bronze sconces with two arms and ribbon detailing.. Priced as a pair. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan St location in Scranton. PA.
Category
1910s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1920s Silver Plated Six-Light Colonial Style Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
1920s six light Federal style chandelier. Made of brass with a silver finish. Price includes restoration. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan...
Category
1920s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
1920s Pair of Federal Style Iron and Crystal Sconces with Arrow
Located in New York, NY
From circa 1920, fashioned out of iron with crystal dressing and presented in a Federal style. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan St location in Scranton, PA.
Category
1920s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
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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