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
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
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
Stickley Federal Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs, Set of Six
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Federal or Hepplewhite style shield back dining chairs
By L. & J.G. Stickley
USA, Circa Late 20th Century
Solid carved mahogany frames, with upholstered seat...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
All Rosewood Double Glass Doors Adjustable Shelves Pull Out Desk Secretary MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
All Rosewood Double Glass Doors Adjustable Shelves Pull Out Leather Top Desk Secretary MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
Stickley Federal Solid Cherry Wood Pembroke Tea Tables, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Federal style Pembroke nightstands, end tables, or tea tables
By L. & J.G. Stickley
USA, late 20th century
Solid cherry wood, with original brass hardware...
Category
Late 20th Century American 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 Mahogany Card table
Located in Huntington, NY
American Federal Mahogany Inlaid & Figural 5-legged Games Table Card table with gate leg on
The shaped rectangular top above an Oval Inlaid Frieze with Flower medallions
on square t...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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 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
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
Gilded Gold Wood Floor Mirror by John Richard
By John Richard
Located in Toledo, OH
Gilded floor mirror by John Richard. Mirror features a serpentine arched top with a paneled boarder throughout. Each section has a distressed mirror with a thin beveled edge. Carved ...
Category
20th Century North American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ionic Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A plaster study of an ionic column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Plaster
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 Gilt Carved Convex Eagle Pediment Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal convex giltwood wall mirror with ball design, fluted ebonized border, and eagle pediment top.
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Mahogany Banded Inlay Drop Leaf Silver Drawer 5 Drawers Server Cart on Wheels
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mahogany Banded Inlay drop leaf silver drawer 5 drawers Expandable server cart cabinet on wheels MINT!.
Category
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
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
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
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
Antique American Federal Gilt Carved Overmantle Triple Mirror with Gold Eagle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal gilt carved overmantle triple mirror with gold eagle. Item featured is an Impressive item, gold gold gilt carved eagle pedim...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
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
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
Antique Federal Style Mahogany Sideboard Credenza Buffet
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant Federal sideboard that features a gracefully curved front, complemented by ornate brass hardware that accentuates its rich mahogany finish. Its six dovetailed drawers offer ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
Baker Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard or Buffet Server
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style sideboard, buffet server, or console
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood banding and marquetry, and o...
Category
Late 20th Century American 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
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
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
Vintage Theodore Alexander Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Vintage Theodore Alexander Mahogany Arm Chair. Featuring a shield back design, two curved arms, a federal Hepplewhite style leg, accent carvings, original decor...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
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
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
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
1930's Antique Federal Duncan Phyfe Style Sideboard
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Burbank, CA
Antique 1930's credenza for sale. Made of mahogany in a mahogany finish, and has the original solid brass hardware. It's very solidly constructed, and in great vintage condition with...
Category
1930s American Vintage 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
Vintage U.S. Great Seal Bookends, Circa 1950s
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a vintage set of brass bookends featuring an eagle with widely spread wings. The eagle holds arrows and an olive branch in its talons and appears with a large shield again...
Category
1950s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Antique New York Federal Period Mahogany Paw Foot Drop Leaf Table c. 1830
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique New York Federal Period Mahogany Paw Foot Drop Leaf Table, dating to around 1830, is a stunning example of early 19th-century American craftsmanship. The solid flame mah...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Handcrafted Federal Solid Black Walnut and Satinwood Silver Smith Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A Handcrafted Solid Black Walnut Silver Chest in the Federal style. This piece is designed for storing silverware and features a lockable top section and a drawer for additional sto...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of American Federal Brass Andirons
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of American Federal Brass Andirons or Chenets, each with "Sallea Antiques, Inc. / New Canaan, Connecticut" label. 19.5" H x 9" W x 17.5" D. Provenance: From an 1120 Park Ave Est...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
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
Antique Federal Period Solid Tiger Maple Cannonball Bed c. 1830
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique Federal Period Solid Tiger Maple Cannonball Bed, dating to around 1830, is a stunning example of early American craftsmanship. The bed is made from rich tiger maple, whi...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Vintage Federal Style Gold Eagle Arched Cherry Wood Narrow Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Federal Style Gold Eagle Arched Cherry Wood Narrow Frame Wall Mirror. Item features a black painted wood crest, gold American Eagle & shield design. Circa Mid 20th Century. M...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Cherry
American Cherry Tilt-Top Candle Stand
Located in Savannah, GA
An American cherry spider leg tilt-top candle stand, early 19th century.
top measures 17 by 22 inches
28 ¼ inches tall; 40 inches tall upright
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
American Federal Side Portrait of an Officer
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal print portrait in silhouette of a gentleman in a distressed gold frame
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
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
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
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
Pair Federal Cast Brass Sconces with Eagles and Hurricane Glass Shades, ca 1920s
Located in New York, NY
AIS2912
A pair of single light federal Revival period sconces with clear glass hurricane shades and slender backplates surmounted by eagles, circa 1920...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Federal-Style Banded Mahogany Sideboard With Tapered Legs
Located in Elkton, MD
Federal-style mahogany sideboard features a gently bowed front and finely banded veneer work, showcasing craftsmanship from a classic American furniture tradition. It stands on taper...
Category
Early 20th Century American 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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