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
Kindel Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Bow Front Sideboard
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style bow front sideboard buffet or credenza
By Kindel Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Mahogany, with satinwood banding and original brass hardw...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, with His Life, Written by Himself, 1835
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Franklin, Benjamin. The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Consisting of Essays, Humorous, Moral, and Literary, with His Life, Written by Himself. Exeter: J & B Williams, 1835. In origi...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Paper
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
1850 Butternut and Oak Side Table with Two Stacked Drawers with Hobnail Beading
Located in Louisville, KY
The 1850's produced some of the most beautiful furniture pieces of the time. From simple elegance to ornately adorned, tables were indeed an art form of this period. But, this piece ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Oak
Miniature Example Mahogany Bureau Bookcase
Located in Huntington, NY
Cabinet makers sample.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$2,320 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century 39 Star American Flag, circa 1889
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century 39 Star American Flag, circa 1889, a printed linen ensign with 39 stars arranged in a wavy star pattern, with stripes in a very unus...
Category
1880s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Linen
Federal Style Sabin Crest -O- Gold Warranted 22K Gold Dinner Plate, Set of 6
Located in Plainview, NY
A Classical American federal style set of 6 vintage Sabin Crest-O-Gold 22K Gold Trim dinner Plates. Used to serve your favorite dessert or t...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold
$200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Early 20th Century American Cast Iron & Brass Federal Eagle Door Knocker
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique early 20th Century American Federal eagle black cast iron and brass door knocker. This regal door knocker is nicely cast, solid a...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Silk Broadside An Elegiac Poem Death of President George Washington 1800
Located in Portland, OR
An important & rare antique American political printed silk broadside, an elegy on the death of President George Washington, dated 1800.
A poem on the Death of President George Was...
Category
1790s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silk
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
Stickley Solid Dark Cherry Panels Full Size Headboard
Located in Germantown, MD
A federal style, solid dark cherry full size Headboard in very good condition by Stickley. Measures 61.5" in width and stands 42.25 inches tall.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
$1,155 Sale Price
30% Off
Dixie Furniture Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Chest on Chest of Drawers
By Dixie
Located in Germantown, MD
A Dixie Furniture Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Chest on Chest of Drawers with the protective Glass top in great vintage condit...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,536 Sale Price
30% Off
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
Vintage Regency Roll Front Dresser
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover a stunning example of classic American craftsmanship with this vintage Regency-style roll-front chest. This exceptional piece is defined by its remarkable tambour door, whic...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Federalist style ornate Giltwood Mirror surmounted by an American Eagle
Located in Leesburg, VA
Antique Federalist style ornate Giltwood Mirror surmounted by an American Eagle
Anonymous
United States of America; probably early 20th century
Giltwood, glass
Approximate size: 55...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
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
Vintage American Federal Style Cherry Lowboy Chest & Mirror Dresser
Located in Dayton, OH
American federal revival dresser & mirror, circa mid 20th century. Marked "Cherry Styled by Park". Features a rectangular form lowboy chest of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Cherry
$940 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair Antique Brass Cannonball Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Bold form distinguish this pair of Antique Andirons. Large heavy andirons with cannonball tops mounted on thick square supports. The angled legs with flat feet, the back brass bars a...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,650 / set
Antique American Federal Painted Walnut Side Table, Mid 19th Century
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful American colonial or Federal style painted walnut candle stand or side table
USA, Mid 19th Century
Measures: 23.5"W x 11.75"D x 24.13"H.
Good original vintage condition.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Paint
Quality Pair Antique Brass Cannonball Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With cannonball tops on ring shaped supports mounted on scrolled legs with ball feet. The curved back long iron stand with ball finials.
Dimensions: H. 21", W. 12 3/4", Depth 19"
C...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Federal Period Massachusetts Mahogany Secretary Desk with Cylinder Tambour
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal mahogany two part secretary desk, with a dentil molded cornice surmounting an upper bookcase with two 16 pane glazed glass doors with satinwood line inlay, opening to three interior shelves, over a lower case with a cylinder tambour, opening to a compartmentalized interior with central open valanced cubbies flanked by eight fitted drawers over a felted writing surface and three long drawers with flame mahogany bookmatched veneers, line inlay, and punched oval brasses, and dovetailed construction, all supported by four splayed feet. This splendid secretary desk most likely is of MA origin and dates to circa 1790-1810 and is in very good condition, with some surface & shelf restorations, minor escutcheon and surface losses, as well as light wear commensurate with age and use. Includes a 2001 bill of...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Mahogany Single Drawer Two-Tier Side Table, C. 1800s
Located in Germantown, MD
American Federal Mahogany Single Drawer Two-Tier Side Table, Circa 1800s.
Single drawer under lower tier with a 10" high clearance.New York, late 18th Century to Early 19th century.
...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,046 Sale Price
58% Off
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Dimensions : 104" Tall X 26" Wide X 15.5" Deep
This gorgeous grandfather clock was made in the late 19th ...
Category
1890s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique American Federal Carved Giltwood Pier Mirror Églomisé Panel NY 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American Federal period, Classical giltwood eglomise pier mirror, New York, circa 1815.
The mirror with a stepped cornice and applied gilt spheres, below are bands of ...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair of Early 19th Century Federal Hepplewhite Mirrors with Pineapple Finals
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of American Federal Hepplewhite Mirrors with Pineapple Finials. Wonderful pediment shaped eglomise panels with floral gilt. Gilded balls and columns. A true pair. Possibly Al...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Antique Pair of Federal Tiger Maple & Bird's Eye Cane Seat Dinning Charis #2
Located in Norton, MA
Early 19th Century Antique Pair of Federal Tiger Maple & Bird's Eye Cane Seat Dinning Charis with stylized scroll form rail over slat back, caned seats, and splay legs, c1830.
Mea...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Travis Court Collection Drexel Cabinet
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
Travis Court Drexel buffet
Georgian style mahogany buffet cabinet featuring 3 drawers and shelving below. Brass pulls.
Measures: 36" Width x 18" De...
Category
1960s North American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,760 Sale Price
20% Off
Early American Federal Chest of Drawers in Bookmatched Mahogany
Located in Hopewell, NJ
From the Federal period, a very beautiful American Neoclassical chest of drawers in fine bookmatched mahogany with one overhanging drawer supported on the sides by two beautifully tu...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Light Walnut Chest on Chest Dresser High Boy Brass Pulls by Thomasville MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bracket Feet Chippendale Style Light Walnut Chest on Chest Dresser High Boy Brass Pulls by Thomasville MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
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
$919 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Classical Federal Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine pair of American classical Federal andirons, having urn finials over Doric column shafts standing on square plinths with scalloped base, over shaped legs having spurred knees an...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$3,900 / set
Antique Col Ebenezer Crafts Publick House Hotel Advertisement Sign 56"
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare antique salvaged Col. Ebenezer Crafts' Publick House of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, est. 1771 sign. Wood construction hand painted in white with black and white lettering around ...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
$2,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Vintage Federal Style Vintage Mahogany Sideboard Buffet with Tapered Legs
Located in Elkton, MD
Vintage mahogany inlaid tapered leg buffet with original finish and gorgeous brass details, dovetail construction.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pennsylvania Cherry Tall Case Clock, Jedediah Weiss, Bethlehem
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Federal cherry tall case clock with a brass eight day works signed Jedediah Weiss Bethlehem, with beautiful inlay including a contrasting fan carving above the waist d...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Maple, Satinwood
19th Century American Hand Carved Gilded Pediment Eagle
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th century American hand carved gilded pediment eagle.
Antique decorative hand carved and gilded wooden pediment eagle. The expressive sculpture w...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Federal Bowfront Mahogany Bedside Chest Nightstand
Located in Germantown, MD
19th century Federal Bowfront Mahogany bedside chest nighstand. Good antique Condition. Dovetail drawers functioning perfectly. Original Hardware. Mea...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,172 Sale Price
30% Off
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
Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Two Tier Barley Twist Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid century Federal style Mahogany two tier barley twist side table in very good vintage condition. Measures 18.25" square and stand...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$696 Sale Price
30% Off
Southwood Sheraton Federal Style Caramel Tan Leather 81" Mahogany Frame Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sheraton / Federal Style Caramel Leather Upholstered Sofa by Southwood. Item features solid wood construction, leather upholstery, tapered legs, nice inlay, banded details, quality A...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Very Fine Bow Front Inlaid Mahogany 87" Tall Bookcase Shelfs Etagere MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Bow Front Inlaid Mahogany 87" Tall Bookcase Shelfs Etagere MINT!
Category
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
Federal Flame Crotch Mahogany Bow Front Double Door Compartment Sideboard MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Federal Flame Crotch Mahogany Bow Front Double Door Compartment Sideboard MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Walnut Round Drum Center Side Table Stand w/ Drawers Johnson Furniture Mint!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Walnut Round Drum Center Side Table Stand w/ Drawers Johnson Furniture Mint!
Amazing burl walnut wood pattern top!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Baker Furniture Federal Birdseye Maple Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style sideboard, credenza, or console
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Birdseye maple, with carved details and original brass hardware.
...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Kindel Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Refinished
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
Early 20th Century Federal Style Burl Mahogany Nightstand Side Table Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Federal Style Burl Mahogany Nightstand Side Table Cabinet.
Features one dovetail joint drawer and divided lower cab...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Burl
$836 Sale Price
30% Off
American 18th Century Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmel, CA
Sheraton style chest with four graduated drawers with inlay banding and cock beading about the perimeter. The chest has a curvaceous apron and Fr...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Colonial Walnut Rope Poster Bed
Located in Unionville, TN
This remarkable circa 1790 walnut rope bed represents a rare and exceptional example of late 18th-century American craftsmanship, likely originating from the Pennsylvania region. Con...
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Mahogany Campaign Officers Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most unusual Federal period mahogany campaign field desk from the early 19th century. Believed to have been used as a maritime sea capta...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Mahogany, Poplar
1940s Federal Style Brass And Inlaid Mahogany and Satinwood Sideboard
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a special piece! I love the size and inlaid details in the corners. This is a 1940s Federal style sideboard with brass gallery. The height from the floor to the serving surfa...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,921 Sale Price
25% Off
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
1940s Federal Style Genuine Mahogany Pembrooke Drop-Leaf Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
1940s vintage federal style mahogany drop leaf table in good vintage condition with felt lined drawer.
Measure 15.5" Wide folded, 36" wide open, 23"...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
$976 Sale Price
30% Off
Late American Federal Bowfront Chest of Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
This timeless and elegant statement chest of drawers has been meticulously crafted, embodying the refined artistry of the late Federal period, which followed the American War of Independence. What sets this period apart is the regional variation in techniques and the prominence of local craftsmen, each bringing unique touches to their work.
Despite these regional differences, Federal period furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical American Empire Side or Lamp Table in Mahogany, circa 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A neoclassical American Empire work table in mahogany and crotch mahogany with two drawers with convex fronts. Top rests on cylindrical column over a quatre-from base and terminating...
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
$1,785 Sale Price
30% Off
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
$1,095 / item
Antique Federal Mahogany Work Table/ Nightstand Attributed to Isaac Vose, Boston
By Isaac Vose
Located in Miami, FL
A very handsome Federal work table in fine West Indies mahogany with fold-down leaves. There are two drawers with two rounded columns flanking each side. Drawers have the original turned pulls. Top rests on a square column that gradually widens ending with ogee moldings and rests on quatre-form base with concave arches. Table rests on foliate-carved scrolls that end in carved lions' paw feet with original porcelain casters. Attributed to highly regarded cabinetmaker, Isaac Vose...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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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