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
Four Federal Style Drexel Travis Court Dining Chairs, 1940s
By Drexel
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage set of four federal style dining side chairs from Drexel's New Travis Court collection circa 1946. These klismos style chairs feature an x-form and scrolled back, saber leg...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Chenille, Mahogany
American Federal Breakfast Table in Mahogany with Drop-Leaves, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A Federal breakfast table in mahogany with a rectangular top and drop-leaves whose corners end in cyma curves, with inverted turned wooden fini...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Transitional Monumental Mahogany Demilune Console Table Black Painted Finish
Located in Topeka, KS
Magnificent vintage Transitional Monumental mahogany demilune console table with a black painted finish, square tapered legs with stretchers, and 2 inch patinated brass feet. Beautif...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Federal Style Cherry Butterfly Drop Leaf Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsomely carved and finished Federal style cherry butterfly drop leaf table with fine traditional form and great color. On four carved l...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
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
Thomasville Hepplewhite Federal Inlaid Mahogany Brass Gallery Sideboard Buffet
By Thomasville
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Thomasville Hepplewhite Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard Buffet with Brass Gallery. Item features 2 dovetailed drawers, bell flower inlay, 2 swing doors, brass gallery, origin...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
Federal-Style Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard Buffet With Tapered Legs and Dovetailed
Located in Elkton, MD
Federal style inlaid mahogany sideboard with tapered legs and dovetailed drawers. Features two center drawers and side compartments. With its original key—a remarkable specimen of ti...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Very Fine Olive Burl Wood 83" Tall Secretary Desk Cabinet Chest of Drawers MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Compact Burl Wood Queen Ann Secretary Desk Bookcase Dresser Drawers MINT!
Category
20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Individual Glass Pane Double Doors Pencil Inlay Flame Mahogany Show Case
Located in Rockaway, NJ
C. 1920s flame mahogany individual glass panes double doors display cabinet curio showcase.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th century Giltwood and Églomisé American Federal Mirror
Located in Savannah, GA
Detailed early 19th century American federal églomisé, or reverse painted giltwood mirror featuring a primitive house with three chimneys. It came fro...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
18th C Federal Satinwood Mahogany Carrara Marble Large Demilune Console Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of 18th Century Federal Satinwood inlaid carved Mahogany and Carrara Marble Top Large Demilune Console Tables. Measures 48" in width, 22" in depth and 30.75" in height.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Round Mahogany Single Pedestal Drum to Duning Table w/ 2 Extension Boards Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Round Mahogany Single Pedestal Drum Center Opens to Compact Dining Table w/ 2 Extension Boards Mint
2 leaves 12in x 36in each with an extended table length of 60in
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Crotch Mahogany Federal Style Hickory Chair Sideboard MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Crotch Mahogany Federal Style Hickory Chair Sideboard MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 convex mirror but without the distorted mirror)
Category
1880s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Plaster
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 New York Pier Mirror, Late 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Classic Greek and Egyptian motif mirror has vertical pillars flanking mirror panels framing the central split looking glass. The cornice of the mirror has a Classic Adams Urn...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Banded Mahogany Partners Desk
Located in Annville, PA
This beautiful Banded Mahogany Partners Desk is crafted as an antique reproduction. The figural mahogany in the drawer and door panels displays a rich color and a fine grain that are...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
BAKER Bow Front Banded Top & 4 Drawers Pull Out Desk Bachelor Chest Dresser MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
BAKER Bow Front Banded Top & 4 Drawers Pull Out Desk Bachelor Chest Dresser MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century American Federal Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Charleston, SC
This magnificent carved and gilt wood, circa 1820-1840, Federal Mirror has foliage in a Classical urn finial between opposing Cornucopias. The Cornucopias frame an ovoid shaped mirro...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Beacon Hill Two Part Crotch Flame Mahogany Individual Glass Pane Breakfront MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Beacon Hill Two Part Crotch Flame Mahogany Individual Glass Pane Breakfront MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Drop Leaf Dining Table in West Indies Mahogany New York, c 1820
Located in Miami, FL
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
Vintage Cast Iron Eagle Bookends
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a pair of cast iron eagle bookends. These bookends each feature a perched eagle with large wings, tucked behind their bodies. The eagles' heads look to the right. The deta...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
1920 Caldwell Federal Style Eagle Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s gilt bronze federal style double arm sconces. Available in silver plate
Category
1920s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
90" Baker Executive Partners Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
Baker partners desk
Stunning pedestal leather top executive desk made by BAKER.
Functioning drawers on both sides serve as guest or partner de...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Burl
Large Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
Inspired by an antique desk and bookcase this Large Mahogany Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture is impressive in both it’s design and scal...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Style Ebonized Mahogany Demilune Single Drawer Console Tables - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of timeless Federal style ebonized mahogany single drawer console tables. They have a great scale and would work from foyer to bedside to livingroom. They are unmarked...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Loyal Papeete Brown Leather Fire Ice Bucket Brass Eagle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Loyal Papeete brown leather fire ice bucket brass eagle. Item features leather wrapped frame, brass eagle finial, wooden lid, fire brigade decal, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Pair of Deep Profile Antique Wing Arm Chairs Mahogany Legs Federal Style
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Deep Profile Antique Wing arm chairs mahogany legs Federal Style.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
American Federal Mahogany and Spanish Cedra Sugar Chest on Stand, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany and Spanish cedra one drawer hinged sugar chest on stand with carved molded edge, exposed dovetails, wooden knobs, silver escutch...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver, Iron
Elegant Satinwood Display Cabinet On Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A delicate and light colored Cabinet with decorative Federal elements. The cabinet in fine satinwood with broken bonnet crest and carved cornice. The d...
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Satinwood
Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 25" H x 66.5" W x 4.75" D.
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Brunschwig and Fils Boscobel Restoration Medford Inn 1804 Hand-Printed Wallpaper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brunschwig and Fils Boscobel Restoration Medford Inn 1804 hand-printed wallpaper. Very unusual paper - it is marked as custom hand-printed for the Boscobel Restoration, Inc. with a copyright date of 1977. The Boscobel Restoration is a rebuilt historic mansion (see images 9 and 10) in Garrison, NY using salvaged parts of an original Federal-period home that was demolished in the 1950s. This is a historic pattern, marked on the paper as "Medford Inn, 1804" and a registered design of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. The Medford Inn (see image 11) was built in 1804 and became known as a well-known hotel located on Main Street in Medford, Massachusetts.
The design of the paper hearkens back to Roman tradition of wall decoration, with a trompe l’oleil effect that mimics ornate panelling and stone inlay. As per the this paper was also produced in a brown colorway and is part of the Digital Public Library of America and Historic New England...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Vintage Mahogany Pembroke Table, Gordon’s Fine Furniture, Inc.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Vintage Mahogany Pembroke table, Gordon’s Fine Furniture, Inc.
A Classic Pembroke table by Gordon’s Fine Furniture, Inc. made of mahogany with...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1930's Half-Moon Drop-Leaf Federal Coffee Table
Located in Burbank, CA
Antique coffee table for sale. Special table that has a half-moon shape and has leaves on either side that extend out. Great design, and in great vintage condition. Made of mahogany ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Federal Drop Leaf Table. American, circa 1825
Located in Incline Village, NV
Nicely proportioned and well made early 19th century American mahogany drop leaf table with no restorations and in completely origina...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair 19th Century American Federal Brass and Iron Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair 19th Century American Federal polished Cast Brass and forged Iron Andirons.
Measure 8.5" in width, 15" in depth and 15" in Height
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Pair of Federal Birch Wood Dinning Charis
Located in Norton, MA
Early 19th Century Antique Pair of Federal Biech Wood Dinning Charis with stylized scroll form rail over slat back, caned seats, and splay legs, c1830.
Measures- 33.5''H x 17.5''W...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Tiered Bedside Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Tiered Bedside Table. Measures 16" in width, 13" in depth and 27" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 1800s Federal Mahogany Single Drop Leaf Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A large Early 1800s American Federal Mahogany Single Drop Leaf Table. Measures 45" in width, 40" in depth (open), 20" in depth( closed) and stand...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Mahogany Inlaid Fold Top Card Table Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Federal Mahogany Fold Top Card Table of Console Table. Inlaid and Crotch Mahogany front and sides.
Measures 36" in width, 17.5" in depth folded, 35" in depth unfolded a...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
New York Federal / Sheraton Pembroke or Drop-Leaf Table in Mahogany, circa 1810
Located in Miami, FL
A fine example of an American Federal drop-leaf table in West Indies mahogany, from New York, circa 1810. The solid rectangular top with curved drop-leaves features a beautiful figur...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Federal Style Carved Ornate Tufted Sofa and Loveseat Newly Upholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Federal Style Carved Ornate Tufted Parlor Set Newly Upholstered in a Cabernet Leather - 2 Piece Set
Absolutely exquisite and rare antique, intricately detailed hand carved American Eagle topped 2 piece tufted leather library parlor set. This unique showstopper set is said to have been originally acquired from a former Illinois Governor’s Estate, consists of wingback, scrolled sofa and loveseat, each with an exquisite hand carved American Eagle top. Beautifully curved and scrolled wingback...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather
Fantastic Set of 8 Walnut CW Kittinger Williamsburg Chippendale Dining Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a clean set of CW (Colonial Williamsburg) dining chairs. This is a classic and sought after set of chairs. Not easy to find anywhere and in good c...
Category
1960s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Federal Style Gilded Eglomise Trumeau Mirror with Mother & Child
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a sweet gilded trumeau mirror with Federal styling. The eglomise panel depicts a mother and child. The mirror portion does show age wear.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
Vintage Biggs Old Sturbridge Village Federal Mahogany Spider Leg Candle Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
Biggs Furniture Old Sturbridge Village Collection Federal Candle or Sculpture Stand, circa last half 20th century. Made from mahogany with an Octagonal inlaid and crossbanded top ove...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Patriotic "New York" Coat of Arms Silk and Metallic Embroidered Souvenir
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a patriotic “New York” silk and metallic thread embroidered souvenir, dating to the early 20th century. The souvenir is a glorious and intricate crafted depiction of the...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Federal Furniture
Materials
Silk
Mid-Century Italian Federal Style Limed Distressed Wood Bullseye Eagle Mirror
Located in Pearland, TX
A fabulous vintage Mid-Century Italian Federal style limed wood bullseye mirror, circa 1960. This gorgeous mirror has a lovely limed or distressed whitewash paint finish and is decor...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Down Filled Tassels Blue & Gold Upholstery Turned Legs Chaise Lounge MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Down Filled Tassels Blue & Gold Upholstery Turned Legs Chaise Lounge MINT!
All redone like new c.1920s
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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
Federal Style Mahogany Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany and figured mahogany veneered dresser, the reeded edge top with protruding corners and a central bowfront with leaf carved and reede...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mid 20th Century Federal Style Brass Fireplace Tools Set
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century Federal Style Brass Fireplace Tools Set. Included in the set are the stand, a broom, a shovel and combined tongue and pocker.
Please inquire about the Matching pair...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Regency Brass Andirons
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a classic pair of American Federal c. 1800 Solid Brass Andirons. The andiron are of classical form but are detailed with an unusual Corinthian Column capitol located just bel...
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Green Persian Mahal Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th century Persian Mahal rug.
15'' x 18''
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
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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