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
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
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
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
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
Kindel Furniture Federal Banded Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Federal or Regency style extension dining table
By Kindel Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Gorgeous book-matched mahogany, with satinwood string inlay.
Measures: 38"W x 44"...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 19th-C. Federal Style Faux Tortoise Eglomise Trumeau Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful piece! Firstly, it should be noted that it may even be as early as the later part of the 18th century. Note the simplicity of the trumeau that depicts a single pi...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Federal Mahogany Locking Chest of Drawers, Circa Early 1800s
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 18th Century to Early 19th Century Federal Mahogany Locking Chest of Drawers. 1st, 2nd and 4th drawers have functional locks with keys.
Me...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Outstanding Large Oak Carved Eagle Grasping Shield & Three Arrows
Located in Stamford, CT
Outstanding large oak carved eagle grasping shield with three arrows in his talons; most probably by a Philadelphia carver. Found in East Boothbay, Maine at collector's home. Arrows ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Oak
Early American Federal Period Flame Mahogany Antique Wash Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and stunning Federal period (1789-1823) early American flame mahogany wash stand. circa 1810
Exquisitely hand-crafted in the Northeastern United States in the early 19th cent...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Credenza
Located in Annville, PA
This Mahogany Credenza matches a number of other items in the Niagara Furniture office collection. The credenza utilizes three part construction, the top and two pedestals separate f...
Category
2010s Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1920s Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Federal Style Fold-Top Console or Card Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th century Mahogany and satinwood Inlaid Federal style Fold-Top Console or Card Table in very good antique condition.
Measures 36" in width, 17" in depth folded and 34" i...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American 19th Century Federal Mahogany Serpentine Table
By Samuel Field McIntire
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb quality and extremely rare early 19th
century American federal period mahogany dressing
table of serpentine form having well figured top
over two frieze drawers retaining original lions
mask brass handles raised on elegant carved and
reeded turned tapering legs
Attributed to “Samuel Field McIntire, Salem, Massachusetts’
(Samuel Field McIntire who worked in Salem, at the start
of the early 19th century was the son of Samuel McIntire...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Circa Early 19th Century American Federal Chest on Bracket Feet
Located in Peabody, MA
Antique American Federal period chest of four drawers in cherry over bracket feet.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
1920's Silver Plated Caldwell Traditional Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920's Caldwell silver plates sconces, traditional style.
Category
1910s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
American Federal Mahogany Bow Front Floral Satinwood Inlaid Sideboard Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
American federal mahogany bow front sideboard with satinwood sunburst floral inlaid outset corners, centered baized lined drawer with two flanking baiz...
Category
1770s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Federal Period Mahogany Sheraton Deck Top Chest of Drawers c. 1820
Located in Westfield, MA
A stunning Federal period Sheraton deck-top chest of drawers, crafted in rich mahogany and dating to circa 1820, this piece showcases the elegance and symmetry characteristic of earl...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Very fine early 19th center Portsmouth, NH federal inlaid sideboard
Located in Richmond, VA
Very fine early 19th century Portsmouth, NH federal inlaid sideboard. Impressive inlays , fine quality crotch veneers, inlaid turrets with sand shading, beautifully turned legs.
Pr...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Pair of 4 Drawer Banded Top Demi Lune Consoles Dressers Brass Drop Pulls MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of 4 Drawer Banded Top Demi Lune Consoles Dressers Brass Drop Pulls MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Federal Banquet Dining Table in Mahogany w/ Extension Leaves, Seats 18
Located in Miami, FL
From Malcolm Forbes' estate Timberfield, an elegant and long mahogany dining table with three sections, American, circa 1830. The rectangular top above ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federalist Eagle Motif Wood and Iron Gilt Pair of Wall sconces
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous
United States of America; 20th century
Giltwood and gilt iron, glass
Approximate size: 44 (h) x 14 (w) x 10 (d) in.
A beautiful pair of Federalist style giltwood wall sco...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
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
American Mahogany Federal Work Table with Barley Twist Legs on Casters, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany Federal two drawer hinged work table with a ratcheted white pine writing surface, fitted interior for ink wells, original brass sandwich glass knobs, lower connecti...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large American Federal Style Eagle Wood Carved Two-Light Sconce
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This wood carved and gold gilded antique sconce features a majestic eagle with spread wings beneath a tied bow. The candle arms are of patinated scrolled brass and very finely detail...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
"General George Washington, The Father of this Country" by Oscar A. Wilkinson
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is an original ink drawing of General George Washington by Oscar A. Wilkinson. The composition depicts Washington on horseback, in his full suit of regimentals, saluting wi...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Pair Of Federal Style Mahogany Side Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Each with shaped square tops and rounded corners. Two conforming drawers and raised on reeded tapered legs.
Category
1880s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Federal Partners' Desk in Mahogany, Philadelphia, circa 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful Philadelphia partners desk in mahogany with gadrooned top and apron resting on center pedestal with carved baluster and legs, and ending in brass casters with lions' paw ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine 19th Century American Federal Period Mahogany Sofa
Located in Richmond, VA
Fine 19th century American federal period mahogany sofa on 6 turned and carved legs. Beautifully done, the arms and back rails are reeded and there are little rosettes carved where t...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Full Size Pencil Inlaid Mahogany Federal SideBoard Server Buffet by Baker MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Full Size Pencil Inlaid Mahogany Federal SideBoard Server Buffet by Baker MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of 6 American Federal Hitchcock Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 American Federal Hitchcock style black painted side chairs with floral decoration on back.
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Kittinger Williamsburg Restoration Federal Mahogany Tilt Top Table Candle Stand
By Kittinger
Located in Dayton, OH
A Federal style mahogany candle stand by Kittinger, circa 1970s. Williamburg Restoration line. Features a rectangular top with serpentine edge over a baluster turned base with cabrio...
Category
1970s Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Colonial Mfg Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Colonial Mfg. Co Beige Painted Tall Case Federal Style Grandfather Clock. Item features a working lock and key, includes all parts pictured. Very ...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique John Targee 19th Century American Coin Silver Salver Marked IT
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine early American signed salver.
In coin silver.
Marked I.T.
Attributed to John Targee of New York.
In the form of a large thick-gauged plate with a beaded rim supported by 3...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
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
Early 1900s Carved Walnut Durfee Case Elliot Movement 5 Tube Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular clock with what I believe is a solid carved walnut Durfee case and and has an Elliot of London movement. The case has some signs of wear and is in it's original...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
American Federal Gilt Eagle Convex Mirror with Acanthus & Shell Pendant, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
Monumental Period American Federal gilt wood and gesso convex mirror with a central spread winged Eagle perched to flee on rocky plinth, upper flanking scrolled acanthus foliage, in...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Giltwood, Pine, Mirror, Gesso
Vintage Carved Spreadwing Wooden Eagle
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is an original American eagle, hand-carved during the mid 20th century. The eagle is carved with his head angled to the side, both wings fully outstretched, talons gripping a ro...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Felt, Wood
A Federal Style Cherry Spider Leg Candlestand
Located in Savannah, GA
An American federal style cherry spider leg tilt top candlestand, late 19th, early 20th century.
22 inches wide by 15 inches deep by 27 ½ inches tall; 40 inches tall tilted upright
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Pair Antique Federal Brass & Wrought Iron Lemon Top Andirons C1810
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote***
Pair Antique Federal Brass & Wrought Iron Lemon Top Andirons C1810
Measures- 24"H x 10.5"W x 24.75"D
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Georgian Style Reverse Painted Glass Historical House Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful early 20th century Georgian style reverse painted glass historical house Trumeau mirror. Measures 24.75" in width, 40.5" tall and 3" in depth.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Mahogany, Paint
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
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
Pair of Early 20th Century Federal Side Tables in Style of Thomas Seymour
By John & Thomas Seymour
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Federal Style Side or End Tables after Thomas Seymour, Boston. Hand carved and fluted legs. Two drawers. Dovetail construction. Mahogany and mahogany crotch veneer. Beau...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1930s American Federal Inlaid Mahogany 3-Part Banquet Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An amazing 1930s American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Three Part, 14 legs Banquet Dining Table . Measures 126" in width, 48" in depth and stands 30.5" tall. Detach this table to have two large demilune...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Duncan Phyfe Style Mahogany Striped Upholstered Chairs, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Duncan Phyfe Style Mahogany chairs with striped Upholstery. Very good vintage condition.
Chairs have been reupholstered down the road. Measure 17" in width, 20" in depth and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
American Chippendale Mahogany Chest
Located in Queens, NY
American Chippendale style mahogany chest on chest cabinet with 7 drawers below 3 shell carved small drawers with flame form finials and broken pe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Gillinder & Sons Washington Bust, 1876
By Gillinder & Sons
Located in Savannah, GA
A Gillinder & Sons milk glass portrait bust of George Washington for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia.
3 ½ inches wide by 3 ¼ inches deep by 6 inches tall
Category
1870s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Milk Glass
American Empire Pier Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
An early Empire giltwood pier mirror with rope twist split column, flower basket and leaf blocks with acorn spherules and original mercury glass, c.1815-1840.
29 inches wide by 5 ¼...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Federal Style Gilt Decorated Eagle Pediment Frame Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Federal Style Gilt Decorated Eagle Pediment Frame Mirror. Measures 20.5" in width, and stands 45" tall.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Wood, Mirror
J&R Furniture Federal Walnut Hexagon Candle Stand Pedestal Table Kettle Plant
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th century Federal inspired candle Stand by J&R Furniture Mfg Co of Salt Lake City Utah. Made from walnut with an inset hexagon top over turned column and tripod bade.
Meas...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Federal Style Crotch Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Germantown, MD
A Federal Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1950s.
Size is 38" wide, 16" deep and 69" tall.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Virginia Metal Crafters Federal Style Polished Brass Dolphin Fireplace Tool Set
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite set of Federal Style Polished Brass Dolphin Fireplace Tool Set by Virginia Metal Crafters. Excellent vintage condition.
Vir...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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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