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
Banded Double Pedestal Tripod Base Mahogany 72" Long Dining Table 2 Leaves MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded Double Pedestal Tripod Base Mahogany 72" Long Dining Table 2 Leaves MINT
2X22" Leaves.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Beacon Hill Collection Federal Style Banded Mahogany Nightstand
By Beacon Hill
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal style single drawer occasional side table or nightstand
By Beacon Hill Collection
USA, mid-20th century
Mahogany, wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Boston Gilt Convex Mirror Labeled William Balch
Located in Charleston, SC
This 1830s Boston convex mirror has a wonderful scrolled frame with a foliate crest centered on the four quarters. The central feature of the frame has an oak leaf ring...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Gesso
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
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
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
Rare Pair Of Federal Boston Servers / Dressing Tables
Located in Hudson, NY
A fine, rare to find matched pair of Boston federal servers / dressing tables with backboard and scrolled sideboards on rectangular tops. The frame has ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Pine
Baker Mahogany Satinwood Bow Front Sideboard Historic Charleston Collection MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Baker Mahogany Satinwood Bow Front Sideboard Historic Charleston Collection MINT
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Baker Furniture Federal Mahogany Bow Front Sideboard Credenza, circa 1940s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet
By Baker Furniture,
USA, circa 1940s
Mahogany, with satinwood string inlay, mirrored backslash, and original...
Category
1940s American Vintage 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 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
Federal Mahogany Tall Gentleman's Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Federal style mahogany and figured mahogany Gentleman's chest of drawers, the bowfront reeded edge top with protruding corners above leaf carved capital and reeded column supports,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Mirrored Wall Sconces with Stars
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique raw metal Federal style wall sconces with classic convex mirrors and star burst tops all in a chic tight form. As seen in th...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Trumeau Mirror with hand painted on board perched eagle with yellow background. Measures 21.5" tall and 11" in width.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Paint
Architectural White Paint Decorated Pediment Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and very Architectural form Pediment mirror in white paint with fluted panels flanking the mirror and decorated with egg and dart and craved ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Fine Bench Made Carved Mahogany Serpentine Front Dovetail Drawers Vanity Desk
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fine Bench Made Carved Mahogany Serpentine Front Dovetail Drawers Vanity Desk Dressing Table.
The discoloration spot is under the finish, finish ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Henkel Harris Federal Cherry Extension Dining Table with Three Leaves
Located in Germantown, MD
Henkel Harris Federal Style Solid Cherry Extension Dining Table with Three Leaves
Excellent Vintage Condition with crafty inlaid legs. Each leaf is 12" wide. Leaves are securely stor...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Satinwood
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
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
1940s Handley Johnson Handley Federal Mahogany Two-Drawer Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1940s Handley Johnson Handley Federal style Mahogany Two-Drawer Side Table
Measures 20" in width and 26.25" in height and 16" in depth.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Regency-Style Perched Eagle Acanthus Giltwood Wall Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Substantial Federal-Style mirror featuring inset glass (not convex) within a deep, gilt resin frame adorned by an eagle perched on laurel at the top and acanthus detail below (ca. Mi...
Category
1960s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Portrait of George Washington, by William Matthew Prior, circa 1840s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Portrait of George Washington, by William Matthew Prior (American: 1806 - 1873), circa 1840s, an oil on board quarter-length portrait of George Washington, after the famous, ...
Category
1840s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 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
Antique Classical Italian Giltwood Figural Bullseye Wall Mirror with Eagle 1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Classical Italian figural bullseye mirror offers giltwood construction with eagle or phoenix crest over convex mirror having double scroll form arms terminating in candle ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Federal Style Brass C1955 Heavy Duty Fireplace Tools 4 Pieces with Holder
Located in Port Jervis, NY
High quality set of fireplace tools with Holder. Brush, shovel, poker and log clamp all in solid brass. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. This item can be parcel posted.
Category
1950s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Miniature Portrait on Bone with Fitted Case 14-Karat Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Dating from the late 17th century and done in the Federalist style, this finely detailed and well executed hand painted miniature portrait on bone of a period nobleman can be worn as...
Category
Late 17th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold
Antique Mahogany Federal Period Sheraton Two Drawer Stand c. 1820
Located in Westfield, MA
This charming two-drawer stand, dating to circa 1820, exemplifies the elegance of Federal Period design, specifically from the Sheraton style. Crafted from rich mahogany, the piece s...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Antique Sandwich Glass Whale Oil Lamps c. 1820
Located in Westfield, MA
This elegant pair of early 19th-century Sandwich Glass whale oil lamps is a striking example of American craftsmanship from the 1820s. The lamps feature a delicate etched floral desi...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass
Antique Flame Mahogany Secretary Breakfront Display Hutch by Robert W Irwin Co
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Federal Style Flame Mahogany Flip Down Secretary Breakfront Display Hutch by The Robert W. Irwin Co.
This gorgeous Antique Federal Style Flame Mahogany Flip Down Secretary B...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Petite Cut Glass Crystal Decanters, C1930
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous petite pair of cut glass crystal decanters in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Not cloudy or stained. Some wear to bottom edge.
Category
1930s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Crystal
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
Antique Mahogany Demilune Flip Top Console Game Table with Hidden Drawe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mahogany Demilune Flip Top Console Game Table with Rear Drawer. Item features a hidden pull out rear drawer with hand dovetail, flip top, nicely carved details, beautiful woo...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of American Federal Style Tiger Maple Side Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Beautiful Custom American Federal Tiger Maple Side Tables. One drawer. Tapered legs. Pinwheel Inlay to top.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
1840 Map of the City of Washington Published by William M. Morrison
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This map, printed in 1840, is a detailed representation of Washington, D.C. in the mid-19th century. The map shows block numbers, wards, and government buildings as well as details o...
Category
1840s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Vintage Boho Brass Cuff Pediment Mirror
Located in west palm beach, FL
Embrace boho-chic charm with this vintage brass cuff pediment mirror. Its striking brass frame, featuring a unique cuffed pediment design, adds a bold, eclectic vibe to your decor. P...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Oval Light Burl Wood Banded Inlayed Federal Style Center Coffee Table MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Oval Light Burl Wood Honey Amber Tone Banded Inlayed Federal Style Center Coffee Table MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Burl
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 Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
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
Charak Lacquered Mahogany Banded Round Dining Table w/ 2 Leaves Inlaid Legs Mint
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern solid teak pull out roll top desk drawers chair mint.
Two table leaves measuring 18''.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
Federal Corner Cupboard in Early Yellow Paint with Glazed Doors & Barrel Back
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a one piece Federal period New England corner cupboard with a barrel back , a molded cornice with dentil molding surmounting two upper case glazed glass multi-panel...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Pine
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
Banded Top Mahogany Inlayed Bracket Feet 11 Drawers Dresser Credenza MINT!
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bow front banded top mahogany inlayed bracket feet 11 drawers dresser credenza MINT!.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Mahogany and Cherry Stenciled Gilt Hinged Game Table, PA. Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany and cherry hinged game table with a one board top, central carved floral basket, stenciled gilt turned ringed center column, and resting on scrolled acanthu...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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 Terra Cotta Federal Eagles 'Pair'
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Early antique federal eagles [pair] beautiful glaze. ca 1900, came from an antique collectors personal collection, you can see a repair on one of the eag...
Category
Early 20th Century French Federal Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
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
Vintage Sheridan Federal Style Mahogany Wood Tilt Top Accent Side Tea Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sheridan Federal Style Mahogany Wood Tilt Top Accent Side Tea Table. Item features a round tilting top, tripod pedestal base, solid wood construction. Circa Mid 20th Century....
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 unusual elongated form. This was never an...
Category
1880s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Linen
Vintage Persian Tabriz Palace Rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75593 vintage Persian Tabriz Palace rug with Traditional Colonial and Federal style. This hand knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug features an al...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
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
Antique Federal Mahogany Work Table for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique Federal mahogany worktable with lower tier, two drawers with later brass pulls with Lion motif, well carved spiral twist legs and the whole resting upon brass casters. Lac...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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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