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
Late 19th-C. Federal Style Carved Giltwood Eagle Form Sconces, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These have a timeless elegance. It is a large scale pair of carved giltwood sconces with Federal styling. The facing eagles are adorned with axes and arrows. The wiring and candle co...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century Federal Walnut And Upholstered Window Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Federal Walnut and Upholstered Window bench with Yellowish gold color upholstery and burl walnut front panel. It measures 40" in width...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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
American Federal Mahogany Hunt Board with Flanking Hinged Cupboards, Circa 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal mahogany hunt board with a carved molded edge one board top, single lined interior drawer over chamfered arch, flanking hinged cupboards, original oval brasses, and ...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Philadelphia Empire Cheval Mirror, circa 1825
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Dereham, GB
American Philadelphia Empire mahogany cheval mirror, circa 1825.
Certainly has the quality of top Philadelphia cabinet maker.
The oval mirror with ribbon moulding on front of frame,
fan carving on top and bottom of mirror frame,
mirror sitting in tapering reeded columns with flared petals and turnings on top.
Tulip carving at bottom,with the column square edges supporting the reeded cross stretcher,
medallion turnings on outside,
carved corbels each side,above
shaped reeded end supporting legs with scrolled ends,
turnings under with brown china wheels...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Mahogany Bow Front Sideboard with Tapered Cuffed Legs, C. 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal mahogany bow front sideboard with three frieze drawers over centered hinged cabinet doors, flanking hinged doors with fitted interior single drawers, period brasses,...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique American Federal Style Drop Leaf Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique American federal style cherry wood drop leaf table, 19th century. With a 2 board top, a frieze drawer, square tapered legs and S shaped stretcher bars. Nice old cherry...
Category
19th Century North American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Federal Style Brass Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Federal style brass andirons in the colonial taste with urn-shaped finials above a turned shaft on two cabriole legs terminating in stylized lions' feet....
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Wingback Chair with Blue Upholstery
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Federal period mahogany American wingback armchair in blue upholstery. In very good condition and nicely re-upholstered. Structurally sound and comfort...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Federal Period Work Table
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and very fine quality classical American Federal period side table / worktable with beautiful, warm rich patina. Circa 1820
Exquisitely hand-crafted in the early 19th centu...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Antique Louis XVI Style Giltwood Wall Sconces with Eagles
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Louis XVI Style giltwood wall sconces
Additional information:
Materials: Wood
Color: Gold
Period: early 19th century
Place of Origin: France
Styles: Federal
...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
American Federal Philadelphia Brass Andirons Faceted Acorn Top
Located in Wells, ME
American Federal Philadelphia cast brass faceted acorn top large andirons. The motif of faceting is repeated in the stepped faceted column as well as on the acorns. The columns rest ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Federal Style Gilded Carved Wood Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Federal Style Gilded Carved Wood Mirror, 19th Century
Carved wood American Federal style parcel-gilt wall mirror featuring a broken scroll pediment, solid wood frame, nicely carved...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
American Federal Child's Trunk Leather Covered with Brass Tacks
Located in Wells, ME
American federal child's trunk, black leather covering with natural colored leather bindings and brass tack decoration. This early trunk has remnants of its original blue colored p...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Federal Figural Eagle Giltwood Wall Mirror circa 1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Federal wall mirror offers frame with figural giltwood eagle at crest and having flanking inverted bellflower garland, c1840
Measures - 27''H x 19.5''W x 2.5''D.
Catalog...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Antique Brass Fireplace Finial Andirons Classical Federal
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Ornate brass fireplace finial Andirons classical Federal Elegance
Set of brass andirons. Oversize. No label.
Measures: 26.5 tall x 13 width x...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
19th Century Ovoid Shaped Breche Violette Marble Federal Mahogany Coffee Table
Located in Lomita, CA
The novel shape and color of this Breccia marble coffee table will turn heads and transform a living or work space. This vintage Federal ovoid marble-top and inlaid mahogany or cherr...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble
Federal Gilt-Wood & Eglomise Painted Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This American Federal gilt-wood mirror dates
Circa 1790, it’s lower rectangular antique mirror plate below
A black, white & gold verre e...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
"Apotheosis" of George Washington Creamware Jug
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Apotheosis" of George washington creamware jug,
Liverpool,
Circa 1800-10
The large "Apotheosis" of George Washington Liverpool transfer decorated ...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
American Federal Four Post Maple Bed
Located in New York, NY
American four post maple bed, with headboard 4 carved posts & 2 rails
mounted with brackets for Boxspring. Each post with mounting bolts & brass bed bolt co...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
American Federal Mahogany & Satinwood Butler's Desk with Paw Feet. NY, C. 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal mahogany butler's desk with a carved molded edge, three upper drawers with original brass knobs, sliding fall front interior desk with Satinwood drawers and pigeon h...
Category
1810s American Antique 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
19th Century Mahogany Dining Table with Leaves with Brass Clips
Located in New York, NY
Table has 2 end sections and 2 leaves and brass clips. The table can be used as a pair
of side table against the wall. Great color and patina
Dimensions with leaves: Width 50 1/2...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Mahogany Two-Drawer Stand with Original Gilt Brasses, C. 1810
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal figured mahogany two-drawer stand with carved molded edge top, original gilt floral ringed brasses, interior locks, and resting on turned bulbous pineapple legs...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Gilt Wood Ebonized Eagle Girandole Convex Mirror, Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal gilt wood girandole convex mirror with perched spread wing eagle, connecting chains with hanging gilt balls, oak leaves with acorns, scrolled foliage medallion candle arms, circular brass bobeches, original ebonized reeded mirror with sphere mounted surround, and terminating with a lower foliage pendant...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf, Brass
Antique Ca. 1820 Federal Era Trompe L'oeil Painted Chest
Located in Peabody, MA
American Federal era chest of drawers in its original trompe l’oeil mustard painted finish, ca. 1820.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of 18th Century American Federal Period Carved Fan Shaped Lintels
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful pair of fan shaped late 18th century American Federal period lintels or over doors with exquisitely detailed carving. The distressed painted surface adds a lot of character...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Primitive Antique Green Painted Barrel Back Windsor Caboose Tavern Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique barrel back windsor style chair finished in apple green enamel paint.
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Nathaniel Bowditch American Federal Giltwood Convex Mirror of Monumental Size
Located in Essex, MA
Monumental and historically important Salem Massachusetts giltwood convex mirror. Purchased by Nathaniel Bowditch for his Salem House around 1810-15. Carved a...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Philadelphia Federal Mahogany Work Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with rounded hinged ends opening to compartments over two drawers that open from both sides over a hinged door with tambour front and ends and back raised on turned t...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century New England Tilt-Top Tripod Table
Located in Vero Beach, FL
New England Federal tilt-top tripod table tiger maple, circa 1810
Beautiful American tripod tilt-top candle stand table. It was created during the Federal era...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Early 19th Century American Windsor Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An handsome rod back Windsor chair. Splats turned with bamboo hip detail. Hickory and pine with solid plank seats, American, circa 1830.
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Hickory, Pine
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
19th Century French First Officer’s Uniform Red Epaulettes
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century French First Officer’s Uniform Red Epaulettes
Good pair of French Officers Epaulettes made in Red Silk and lined in black velvet, the f...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
American "French Sideboard" Attributable to Duncan Phyfe, New York, circa 1815
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptionally fine and rare "French Sideboard Table" in mahogany, attributable to the workshop of the eminent New York cabinetmaker, Duncan Phyfe, circa 1810-1818.
This exquisit...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century American Federal 19x22 Picture Frame
Located in Hallowell, US
12.5 x 22.5 19th century American Federal picture frame circa 1825
Rabbet dimensions: 12.5" x 22.5"
Frame profile: 3.5"
Depth: 3...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Extraordinary Pair of Fine Period Federal Inlaid Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very rare and extraordinary Pair of Antique Inlaid Consoles from New England and saiid to be from the Boston area.
Exquisite construction with D shaped tops and fine string inlays on the apron panels and Curly Maple inlaid panels in the center and diamond shapes on the tops of the legs. Raised on square tapering legs with string inlays.
Provenance: The Table Pair were previously owned by the American Actress Dina Merrill...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Maple
Federal Early 19th Century American Tiger Maple Small Drop Leaf Table
Located in Hudson, NY
Made in Vermont circa 1820 this fine old country drop leaf table retains if not its original surface a very old one. Constructed by a craftsmen using pegs and hand plained local tige...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Pair of American Federal Male and Female Oil Painting Portraits
Located in New York, NY
Pair of gilt framed oil painting portraits of a 19th Century man and lady.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Canvas
19th Century Federal Style Pedestal Side Table
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th Century Federal Style Pedestal Side Table
This antique American square shaped top wood pedestal side table stands on three legs. The legs ...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique English Copeland Late Spode Toby Jug Pitcher Colonial Englishman
Located in Dayton, OH
19th century Copland Late Spode English Staffordshire rare porcelain toby jug in the shape of asdeated colonial Englishman holding a cup and pitcher. 180288...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Federal American Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Breakfast Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 19th century Federal drop leaf dining table. Made from mahogany with a rectangular form featuring shaped corners over turned and reeded legs le...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Rare 19th Century New York Mahogany One-Drawer Étagère with Four Shelves
Located in Milford, NH
A rare form mahogany one drawer four shelf étagère with hinged top shelf for displaying books, prints or photographs, reverse acorn finials, nicely turned shelf supports, punched bra...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Brass and Artistic Wire Work Fire Place Fender, New York, Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American brass and artistic wire work fire place fender, New York. Early 19th century.
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wire
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
New York Federal Classical Coin Silver Flagon by Nicholas James Bogert
By Nicholas James Bogert
Located in New York, NY
Federal classical coin silver flagon. Made by Nicholas James Bogert in New York, ca 1820. Upward tapering cylinder on spread and stepped base. S-scroll handle with ribbed thumb rest ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
Federal Mahogany Four Drawer Server, circa 1810
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Federal mahogany server with rectangular top with front turret corners surmounting a case with three fitted drawers over one long drawer...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Gilt Bronze Bust of George Washington
Located in Montreal, QC
Although the first American President has been much portrayed in paint and bronze; I have not been successful in locating another bronze on which this is based. He is dressed as General Washington...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
American Federal Hepplewhite One Drawer Mahogany Sidetable Tapered Legs
Located in Wells, ME
American Federal period Hepplewhite one drawer mahogany sidetable. This classic form has tapered mahogany legs, elegant thin solid mahogany top and one dovetailed drawer. It can free...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Tripple Rush Seat Solid Linen Upholstery Cushion Bench Sattee Sofa Mint!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very decorative antique tripple rush seat solid linen upholstery cushion bench sattee sofa mint!
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Rush, Chestnut
Early 19th Century Antique American Federal Mahog. & Birch Flap-Top Games Table
By John & Thomas Seymour
Located in Charleston, SC
This is a spectacular antique American Federal New England period highly figured mahogany and satin birch Flap-top serpentine Games or Card Table in the manner of the workshop of Joh...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Birch, Mahogany, Rosewood
American Federal Brass Ball and Steeple Top New York Andirons
Located in Wells, ME
American Federal period brass ball and steeple top andirons. The belted balls are surmounted by a spire that adds height and elegance to these ear...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
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
NYC Federal Full Tester Bed Attributable to Lannuier w Four Floral-Carved Posts
By Charles-Honoré Lannuier
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional American Federal sleigh bed with tester in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany with beautifully-articulated floral and acanthus-leaf carvings, along the crest of the headboard and footboard, and on the four posts, attributable to the French-born cabinetmaker Charles-Honoré Lannuier...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Mahogany Banded Satinwood Inlay 5 Drawer Federal Bachelor Chest Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique mahogany banded satinwood inlay 5 drawer federal bachelor chest dresser. Item features banded satinwood inlay, beautiful wood grain, working l...
Category
19th Century North American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th c Large Federal Style American Wooden Fireplace Mantel
Located in Savannah, GA
Large size wooden fireplace mantel from "keeping Room" of a 18th century New England home. Nice subtle details including dental molding and flu...
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Poplar
Federal Tiger Maple Tripod Table, American, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Tiger Maple Tripod table, top with chamfered corners also inlaid with mother of pearl, circles, hearts & triangles. Turned standard raised on down swept legs terminating in spade feet.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique 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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