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
19th Century American Federal Mahogany Flip Top Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal-style (19th Century) mahogany flip top console/card table with lyre base
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique American Mid Atlantic States Federal Style Sideboard/ Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful American Federal style sideboard with a shaped bow front and darker banding. The top edge has string inlay framed moldings, The figured wood frieze drawer with fine brass b...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
From Slatoff Estate. Walnut. 2piece. Top has 2 glass doors containing 2 shelves. Bottom has 5 dovetail drawers and drop down door with fitted interior. 98 3/4" h x 41 7/8" w x 22 1/2...
Category
1870s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set Eight (6+2) 19thc. American "Gothic Chippendale" Carved Mahog, Dining Chairs
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceptional Quality set of Eight (six sides, two arms) Antique American hand carved and pierced mahogany "Gothic Chippendale" style Dining Chairs with chamfered straight, moulded leg...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Early 19th Century Federal Bold Tiger Maple Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Milford, NH
A Federal tiger maple drop leaf dining table with bold wood grain, tapered square legs terminating with brass casters, and dovetailed construction. Very good overall condition, with...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Eulogies and Orations on the Life and Death of General George Washington, 1800
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Paine, Thomas, et al. Eulogies and Orations on the Life and Death of General George Washington, First President of the United States of America. Boston: Manning & Loring, 1800. First...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Paper
American Queen Anne Curly Maple Drop Leaf Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive early Federal Queen Anne Curly Maple Drop leaf table with a great aged color and patina on an older refinished surface. Looks ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Federal Lyre Base Card Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice Federal Mahogany Lyre / harp base card table 1800-1815. Original surface with an excellent color and patina on the nicely figured solid Cuban Mahogany one board canted ...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Two American Mahogany Late Federal Style Side or End Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Two Late Federal Style Side Tables. Mahogany with beautiful New England carved and tapered legs. No drawers.
This similar pair were adapte...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Fine Antique Upholstered Armchair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly refined Antique Armchair with soft honey tone wood and elegant form. With a tall shaped crest rail and carved sloping arm supports. Raised ...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton (Anglo-American: 1799 - 1849), circa 1830s, an oil on canvas half-length portrait of a sea captain holding a spygl...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Canvas
American Federal Floral Painted Settee
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal floral painted Hitchcock style settee with roll back
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique American Federal / Georgian style mahogany drop leaf dining table featuring rectangular form with two large drop leaves, gatelegs, and brass castors. Circa early 19th centur...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Relief Carved Mahogany Card Table, New York, circa 1810
Located in Stockton, NJ
American Federal relief carved mahogany card table. The double-elliptical crotch mahogany book-matched veneered hinged top above a central pedestal with foliate and swag carved detail terminating on four fluted cabriole legs and brass lion paw cups on casters.
This card table is illustrated in "Four Centuries of American Furniture" Oscar P. Fitzgerald, pp.93
" The richly grained mahogany top takes a double-elliptic shape. The top rotates to rest on the skirt, which encloses a storage space for game equipment...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Style Mahogany Mirror With Carved Giltwood Grouse
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique mahogany frame federal mirror wall gold gilt carved bird. Item features gold gilt carved bird, carved and shaped frame, wood frame, beautiful wood gr...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Lovely Federal Mahogany and Marble Vanity with Bronze Details
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant mahogany Federal style antique vanity table having gorgeous bronze details and white marble top. There's a single drawer and two mini si...
Category
19th Century North American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Marble
The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by N. Dwight, 1860
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Dwight, Nathaniel. The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. New York: A. S. Barnes & Burr, 1860. Later printing. Octavo. Rebound in ¼ leather and cloth boards, wi...
Category
1860s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Paper
Matched Pair Of Federal Mahogany Servers
Located in Essex, MA
Each with a rectangular top over a long drawer and a pair of small drawers all with wood knobs surrounding an arched apron. All flanked by reeded carving and each with circular taper...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Federal Style Carved Gilt Swan And Eagle Carousel Mohair Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Federal Style Carved Gold Gilt Swan and Eagle Carousel Bench Newly Reupholstered in a Blue Mohair Seat
Antique Federal Style carved wood gold gilt swan and eagle carousel be...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Antique Federal Style Mahogany Two Drawer Work Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique Federal style mahogany end table with two shallow working drawers on front and faux drawers on verso, each with two brass kno...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Style Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Lift Top
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal style 19th century mahogany chest of drawers with 2 lower drawers above dummy drawers having a lift top with replaced brass...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Mahogany Églomisé Barley Twist and Acorn Wall Mirror, C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
American federal mahogany églomisé wall mirror with decorative carved acorn and barley twist motif. Mirror retains the original looking glass and wood backing, Early 19th century.
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paint, Pine, Mahogany, Mirror
Federal Mahogany Card Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
American mahogany inlaid Hepplewhite fold top card table Circa 1790-1800. Tapered straight legs terminating at the feet in simple cuff inlay. Shape...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Silas Hoadley, CT, Circa 1820
By Silas Hoadley
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany one day tall case clock with the original brass ball finials resting on three carved upper capitals, decorative intertwined fret work, arched hood with bras...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rothermel “The United States Senate, A.D. 1850” Henry Clay Compromise Engraving
Located in Savannah, GA
Peter F. Rothermel
(American, 1817-1895)
A steel engraving depicting the United States Senate and Henry Clay’s Compromise of 1850.
Published in Philadelphia in 1855 by John M. Butl...
Category
1850s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Antique Federal Oval Dining Table
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite antique mahogany Federal oval dining table. Federal-style—also known as Adam-style in Britain and Louis XVI style in France—flourished in the newly formed United States ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Chest of Drawers Chiffonniere Flamed Mahogany on Oak 19th Century
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful large antique chest of drawers of very high quality, chiffonnière from the first half of the 19th century. The cabinet has a beautiful patina of age and use, with character...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Mahogany Hunt Board with Flanking Hinged Cupboards, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany hunt board with a carved molded edge one board top, single lined interior drawer over chamfered arch, flanking hinged cup...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Brass Ball Top Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American early 19th brass ball top andirons having ring turned collar over balustrade turned shafts, standing on hoof-footed cabriole legs with spurred knees, the log st...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
American 38 Star Parade Flag, circa 1877
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique American 38 Star Parade Flag, circa 1877, a fine woven linen small parade flag with 38 stars in a bold "Dancing Star" pattern, enacted in 1877 upon the admission of Colorado....
Category
1870s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Linen
19th c Vermont Mahogany Tall Chest with Birds Eye & Tiger Maple Drawer Fronts
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of an early 19th century tall chest of drawers in a two over four configuration with a mahogany case and birds eye and tiger maple drawer fronts with mahogany veneer b...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
c.1880s Fine One Drawer Inlayed Solid Crotch Mahogany Top Console Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
c.1880s Fine One Drawer Inlayed Solid Crotch Mahogany Top Console Table Server Petite Desk Sideboard w/ Backsplash MINT!
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
19th C. Carved And Gilt Convex Mirror for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Originally purchased in Boston. A classic deep convex mirror with multiple surrounds. The outer decorated with X shaped motifs on each side, a deep curved band with gilt spheres, an ...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Pair of 2 American Federal Gold Stenciling Settees
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Federal painted Hitchcock design spindle back settees with gold stenciling and (new) rush seat
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold
Antique American Federal Pointed Finial Brass Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Pointed Finial Brass Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Item features solid brass and cast iron construction, and remarkable patina. Circa 19th Century. Measuremen...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Mahogany Tripod Table
Located in Astoria, NY
American Federal Mahogany Tripod Table, late 18th century, the circular top above a turned baluster column, issuing three splayed legs, on pad feet. 26.5" H x 23" Diameter.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Federal Birch Slant Front Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice early 19th century Federal Birch New England Slant Lid Desk likely New Hampshire in origin around 1800-1830. Made of solid Birch with four large graduated inlaid drawers ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Birch
19th Century Federal Eglomise Wall or Table Mirror
Located in Manhasset, NY
A finely detailed Eglomise decorated wall or table mirror having a glass eglomise panel of a young girl in a wooded area flanked in a Fine gilt frame reminiscent of the time of manuf...
Category
1890s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
American Federal Pine Chest
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal pine chest with 4 drawers and carved column sides.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine Federal mahogany inlaid sofa with an arched camel back, with scroll arms on six legs, the beautifully upholstered cushion backrest, seat, and arms ...
Category
1790s North American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Federal Guild Gold Framed Wall Mirror
Located in Manhasset, NY
A simply stunning and sweet 19th century Federal guild gold framed wall mirror. This finely gilt wall mirror has a reverse painting of two love...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Federal Card Table Attributed to Anthony Quervelle, Philadelphia
By Anthony Gabriel Quervelle
Located in New York, NY
American federal games table in carved mahogany. Flip top with concertina movement. Attributed to the workshop of Philadelphia cabinet maker, Anthony Quervelle...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of American Federal Male and Female Oil Painting Portraits
Located in Queens, 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 Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome late 19th century drop-leaf dining table made in the Georgian influenced federal style. The mahogany table features a delicate satinwood thread inlay decorating the legs and...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Reverse Painting on Glass of George and Martha Washington by W. M. Prior
By William Matthew Prior
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th century reverse painted on glass portrait of George and Martha Washington by William Matthew Prior (1806 - 1873), one of New England'...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass
19th Century Federal Eglomise Decorated Wall or Table Mirror
Located in Manhasset, NY
19th century federal eglomise decorated wall or table mirror having a wonderfully gilt decorated frame under an eglomise glass panel depicting a baske...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
1829 "Declaration of Independence" Draft, Engraved by Charles Toppan
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This historical and rare item celebrates one of the most influential writers, politicians, and American Revolutionary figures, Thomas Jefferson. Featured is a four-page facsimile ste...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
American Federal Mahogany 2-Drawer Work Table W/ Original Cup Casters, C. 1800
Located in Germantown, MD
American Federal Mahogany Two-Drawer Stand / Work Table.
Features Two large drawers over four carved and turned bulbous pineapple legs with the original brass cupped casters. F8nish...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Heriringbone folding Table
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
This is a beautiful example of a master furniture maker. The inlay is on both sides of this table that opens up to a 38 inch round table with a sli...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Gilt Eagle Figure
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal (19th Cent) life size gilt carved eagle figure standing on serpent and round painted base
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Antique Four Federal Tiger Maple Slat Back & Cane Seat Dinning Charis
Located in Norton, MA
Early 19th Century Four Antique Federal Tiger Maple Slat Back & Cane Seat Dinning Charis with stylized scroll form rail over slat back, caned seats...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Large Gilt American Federalist Mirrors
Located in Hudson, NY
Mirrors are from circa 1825-1835 and were made in either New York or Boston. Both mirrors come with their original glass and wood backing. Sold as is, as a pair (one mirror panel has...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Late Federal Fruitwood Single Drawer Dropleaf Pembroke Table, Circa 1800s
Located in Germantown, MD
Late Federal Mixed Fruitwood Single Drawer Dropleaf Pembroke Table on wheels. The back of the table look exactly as the front, fully finished with a faux drawer. Large enough to be u...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
American Federal Mahogany Pembroke Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal (Mid-19th Century) mahogany Pembroke table with re-entrant cornered top above a frieze drawer, an acanthus-carved stem & legs with lions paw feet & casters.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1800's American Federal Period 2 Drawer Side Table
Located in Louisville, KY
This gorgeous American Federal period table is a beautiful reflection of the early 1800's. With hand turned legs, unique irregular lines ...
Category
Mid-19th Century 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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