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
Antique Federal Cherrywood Desk and Glassdoor Bookcase
Located in Sheridan, CO
A Late Federal Cherrywood Desk and Bookcase, Circa 1830.
This unique piece includes a folding desk and make a fabulous looking compact desk with plenty of storage in bookcase above. This was possibly a clerk's desk.
Includes plenty of storage and desk...
Category
Early 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Late 20th Century Bombay Furniture Federal Style Mahogany Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Century Bombay Furniture Federal Style Mahogany Console Table in very good vintage condition.
Measures 35" in width, 15" in depth and stands 29.5" tall.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mahogany Beacon Hill-Old Colony Collection Sideboard
By Beacon Hill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A mahogany sideboard tagged by the Beacon Hill, Old Colony Collection. This piece is fashioned out of beautiful flame mahogany with a glossy finish and features ebonized columns with...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Kindel Furniture Federal Banded Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal or Regency style extension dining table
By Kindel Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Gorgeous book-matched mahog...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Mid 20th Century Solid Mahogany Federal Kidney Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century Solid Mahogany Federal Kidney Desk in great vintage condition. Top newly and professionally refinished and flawlessly working drawers
Measures 46" in width x 22" in...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful diminutive size Federal style two part inlaid figured mahogany bookcase, its upper case with a shaped crest with three urn finials surmounting two bow front glass paneled...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Period American Federal Period Maple Tilt Top Side Table Late 18th C
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Period Late 18th Century American Federal Period Maple Tilt Top Side Table with tripod pedestal base and a burl wood veneered top.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Maple
Period Antique American Massachusetts Federal Carved Mahogany Sofa Circa 1800
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Period Antique American Massachusetts Federal Carved Mahogany Sofa. Curved and scrolled crest rail, with the arm rests terminating in carved pineapples and bulbs, set on fluted legs with brass casters, vertical stripe upholstery. Circa 1800. Solid Hardwood Construction and Hand Doweled Joinery. Eight way...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Hardwood, Mahogany
PAIR of Federal Style Mahogany CABINETS, c. early 1900's
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Pair of Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Cabinets. Each stand has five dovetailed drawers with glass flower shaped knobs. These would be perfect as nightstands, lingerie ca...
Category
1910s Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Period American Federal Highly Carved Mahogany Sofa Circa 1800
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1800 American Federal highly carved mahogany sofa with scrolled carved headrest, curvelinear arms and outswept hairy paw feet upholstered in a vintage old striated velvet fabric
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Velvet, Mahogany
Federal Maryland Walnut Corner Cupboard
Located in Bradenton, FL
An exceptionally fine large two piece Federal Walnut architectural corner cupboard 1780-1800 attributed to the Frederick County area of Maryland s...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
4-Piece Federal Bedroom Set: Vanity, End Table, Dresser, Chest of Drawers
Located in Soquel, CA
4-Piece Federal Bedroom Set: Vanity, End Table, Dresser, Check of Drawers
Elegant bedroom set from the Royal furniture Line by Robert W. Irwin and Ro...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Brass and Iron Hand Made Fireplace Tool Set With Stand
Located in Sheridan, CO
Exquisite set of hand made brass fireplace tools from England (late 1800s) along with hand forged iron brush from France (mid 1800s). Set includes shovel, fork, tongs, brush and stan...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Set of 4 Spaulding Federal-Style Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cups
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Federal-style sterling silver mint julep cups. Made by Spaulding & Co. (part of Gorham) in Chicago, ca 1920. Each: Straight and gently tapering sides and molded rims. A wond...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
1800 Federal Style Brass and Wire Steeple Top Fire Fender
Located in Sheridan, CO
Fireplace surround in the Federal Style. American brass rail top and wire fire fender with brass ball faceted steeple top finials and wire work, New Y...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
"Martha Washington" Mahogany Upholstered Lolling Chair, circa 1930s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early vintage "Martha Washington" mahogany upholstered lolling chair, circa 1930s, having a large rose velvet upholstered back and generous seat, wit...
Category
1930s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
HONORE LANNUIER: Cabinetmaker From Paris - 1998 The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
By Charles-Honoré Lannuier
Located in Rochester, NY
Honore Lannuier: Cabinetmaker from Paris - Peter M. Kenney - 1998 The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Abrams. Softcover book - 253 pages - black/white and...
Category
1990s American Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Fine Bench Made Carved Mahogany Serpentine Front Dovetail Drawers Vanity Desk
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fine Bench Made Carved Mahogany Serpentine Front Dovetail Drawers Vanity Desk Dressing Table.
The discoloration spot is under the finish, finish ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Barbara Barry Style Mahogany Dining Chairs by Hickory Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome set of six mahogany dining chairs featuring a generous seat and round back in the style of Barbara Barry. Made by Hickory Chair with fluted or reeded legs in the front. The ...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Trumeau Mirror with hand painted on board perched eagle with yellow background. Measures 21.5" tall and 11" in width.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Paint
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
Antique Federal Mahogany & Giltwood Figural Eagle Wall Mirror 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Shipping Rates - Reliable Service & Fully Insured***
An antique Federal wall mirror offers shaped mahogany frame having giltwood figural eagle crest, fl...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Small Burled Penhurst Bookcase
Located in Annville, PA
The Niagara Furniture Small Burled Penshurst Bookcase with two shelves. The burled cornice is beautiful and adds a sense of depth to the upper area of the case while hand carved acan...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Antique American Federal Mahogany Feathers Plume Wall Vanity Mirror 26"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique mahogany Americna Federal style carved wall or vanity mirror with applied gilt plumage / trio of feathers accent.
Dimensions:
13" x 1" x 25.75" / Mirror - 8.875" x 13.875" (...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
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
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
Baker Mahogany Satinwood Bow Front Sideboard Historic Charleston Collection MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Baker Mahogany Satinwood Bow Front Sideboard Historic Charleston Collection MINT
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 20th Century Federal Mahogany Pedestal Trifid Demilune Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Federal Mahogany Pedestal Trifid Demilune Table with brass paw feet. Measures 25" in width, 13" in depth and stands 22.5" tall.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Architectural Wooden Fan Form Element in Old White Paint
Located in Milford, NH
A nice example of an architectural wooden radial fan form element in old white paint, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, in very good overall condition, with some minor p...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Vintage Federal Style Pembroke Table - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
Exquisite pair of inlay mahogany pembroke tables featuring squared tapered legs on casters. This pair of pembroke tables will immediately eleva...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Crotch Mahogany Individual Glass Pains Door Drop Front Secretary Breakfront MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Crotch Mahogany Individual Glass Pains Door Drop Front Secretary Breakfront MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 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
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
Pair of 4 Drawer Banded Top Demi Lune Consoles Dressers Brass Drop Pulls MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of 4 Drawer Banded Top Demi Lune Consoles Dressers Brass Drop Pulls MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
Henredon Burl Walnut Round Center Lamp Side Occasional Table Stand Shelves Mint!
By Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Henredon Burl Walnut Round Center Lamp Side Occasional Table Stand Shelves Mint!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
All Rosewood Double Glass Doors Adjustable Shelves Pull Out Desk Secretary MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
All Rosewood Double Glass Doors Adjustable Shelves Pull Out Leather Top Desk Secretary MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Stickley Furniture Federal Mahogany Inlay Sideboard Credenza Buffet
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant Stickley inlaid mahogany buffet from the Colonial Williamsburg Collection. Features stunning bell flower and oval inlay on tapered legs.
Sides have star inlay. It has two lo...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Compatible Bronze Bouillotte Table, Desk Lamps, Tole
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Compatible Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamps, Tole
The set having matching shades and finials with compatible bases, one urn form and one column form. Both are bronze having bro...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
American Federal Style Carved Mahogany Queen Size Poster Bedstead
Located in Germantown, MD
An American Federal Style carved Mahogany Queen size Bedstead in great vintage condition. Measures 63.5" in width, 89" in depth and 88" in height to the top of the urn finials. Head...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Early 20th Century Federal Brass and Iron Andirrons
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair Early 20th Century Federal Brass and Iron Andirrons. Measuring 8" in width, 18" in width and 21.5" in height.
Recently repolished
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
Large Courthouse Eagle Globe Lamp
Located in Peekskill, NY
This lamp features a 16 inch diameter milk glass globe. I think thats the largest globe we have ever offered and it does make a statement. The decorative elements definitely say muni...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass
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
American Federal Style Mahogany Inlaid Decorated Credenzas / Sideboard
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your dining area with this Beautiful Mahogany Wood Server, exquisitely crafted in the American Federal style. This server is not just a functional piece; it's a work of art, ...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
Banded Oval Racetrack Shape Carved Double Pedestal Burl Walnut 13' Long Dining
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded Oval Racetrack Shape Carved Double Pedestal Burl Walnut 13' Long Dining Conference Table MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
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
Kindel Furniture Federal Banded Mahogany Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Federal or Regency style extension dining table
By Kindel Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Gorgeous book-matched mahogany...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Mahogany
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
Antique Colonial Mfg Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Colonial Mfg. Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock. Item features a working lock and key, includes all parts pictured. Very ...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
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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