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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
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

20th Century Suters Reproductions Federal Style Solid Cherry Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 20th Century Suters Reproductions Federal Style Solid Cherry Single Drawer Side Table. Measures 24" in width, 24" in depth and 28.25" in height.  
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Marble Top Red Serpentine Chests, a Pair
Located in Hudson, NY
Be bold with this pair of bright red lacquered chests of drawers. Three serpentine drawer fronts open with a central metal bail handle. Tops are serpentine cut Carrara marble.
Category

1940s Unknown Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

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

Federal Mahogany and Birch Inlaid Secretary/Desk sq
Located in Water Mill, NY
Federal Mahogany and Birch inlaid secretary/desk with contrasting veneers and bone pulls.
Category

1790s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Birch, Mahogany

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

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

Federal Style Marble Coffee Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
Federal Style marble coffee table. Oval table in mahogany with white marble top. Carved Federal style legs. Dimensions: 34" x 22" x 18".
Category

Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture

Materials

Marble

Duke of Wellington Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Copy of a portrait painting titled "Duke of Wellington" showing him in red military uniform
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Paint

Federal Style Circular Giltwood Convex Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
Federal Style Circular Giltwood Convex Mirror, circa 1900, with ribbon design. 21.25" Diameter. Provenance: From a 50 Madison Avenue Estate.
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Antique American Federal Bullseye Wall Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty early 19th Century American federal bullseye wall mirror hand crafted in wood having a carved eagle holding a ball and chain at the top perched ...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Plaster, Wood

Broyhyll Bow Front Crotch Mahogany Banded Top Sideboard Buffet Console MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Broyhyll Bow Front Crotch Mahogany Banded Top Sideboard Buffet Console MINT!
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Corinithian Column Plaster Architectural Study Objet D’art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A plaster study of a corinthian column. Marked in pencil “American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, PA.” Rough unsealed plaster patina.
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Plaster

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

American Federal Mahogany Bow Front Sideboard with Tapered Cuffed Legs, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, 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

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

American Federal Mahogany “Martha Washington” Lolling Armchair ca. 1800
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID-MAHOGANY LOLLING "MARTHA WASHINGTON" ARMCHAIR Massachusetts, ca. 1780-1800 purchased from Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc. of New York in 1966 Item # 401JNI25P...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

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 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

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

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

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

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

Henredon Federal Flame Mahogany Bow Front Bookcase, Credenza, or Console Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal or Hepplewhite style sideboard credenza, bookcase, console cabinet, or bar server By Henredon USA, Circa Late 20th Century Gorgeous book-matched flame mahog...
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

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

Mid 20th Century Harvin Company Federal Style Brass Andirons with Claw Feet
Located in Middleburg, VA
Mid 20th century harvin company federal style brass andirons with claw feet. Heavy duty brass and iron fireplace dogs. United States, 1950s. Measures: 23" H, 13" W, 20" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique American Cherry and Poplar Mid-Atlantic Region Large Corner Cupboard
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
This wonderfully displayed, early American Federal period Cherry "Gothic Chippendale" style Large Corner Cupboard has evidence of poplar secondary wood. The handsome gothic-barred gl...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Poplar

Early 20th Century Regency Carved Mahogany And Upholstered Settee
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Regency Carved mahogany and Upholstered settee. It measures 40.75" in width, 23" in depth and stands 37.5" tall, with a seat height of 16". Arm height is 24", seat...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Vintage Federal Style Triple Pedestal Drop-Leaf Dining Table, circa 1940s
Located in Germantown, MD
Very practical Vintage Federal Style Triple Pedestal Drop-Leaf Dining Table. Triple pedestal terminating with antique brass lion paw feet. Original...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Federal Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Wall Mirror C. 20th
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Federal Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Wall Mirror C. 20th Measures - 50"h x 29"w x 2"d
Category

20th Century Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

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

19th-20th Century Federal Style Crest Mirror
Located in Manhasset, NY
19th-20th century Federal style crest mirror. In a very fine water gilt bamboo form frame. The reflection from a hanging chandelier is what is appearing a...
Category

20th Century Federal Furniture

Materials

Mirror

1930's Antique Federal Duncan Phyfe Style Sideboard
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 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

Federal-Style Mahogany Bow-Front Sideboard With Carved Backsplash and Brass Hard
Located in Elkton, MD
The sideboard features detailed carvings on the back panel and three drawers with original brass hardware. It stands on fluted legs with spade feet and includes a curved backsplash t...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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

Vintage Brandt Flip Top Piano Style Small Wooden Writing Desk Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage brandt flip top Piano style small wooden writing desk table. Item features rolling casters, flip top, lower shelf stand, original label, very nice vintage item, quality Ameri...
Category

Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

American Federal Mahogany Side Table with Fitted Interior Desk on Casters, 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal Mahogany one drawer side table with fitted interior desk, walnut diamond escutcheons, original four wooden knobs, and resting on turned bulbous ringed legs with the original brass casters. Secondary wood consist of white pine and tulip poplar...
Category

1820s American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Very Fine Custom c1940s Bubble Glass Drop Front Butlers Desk Break Front MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Custom c1940s Bubble Glass Drop Front Butlers Desk Break Front MINT. Phenomenal quality piece of furniture, fine detail low key inlay decorations.
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Leather, Glass, Mahogany

Banded and Pencil Inlayed Mahogany Bow Front Federal Sideboard Brass Hardware
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded and Pencil Inlayed Mahogany Bow Front Federal Sideboard Brass Hardware
Category

20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Federal Style Two-Part Satin Mahogany Chest of Drawers Secretary, Circa 1900s
Located in Germantown, MD
A Federal Style Two-Part Satin Mahogany Chest of Drawers Secretary Desk, Circa 1900s. Functional key for the cabinets present. Measures 41" in width, 18.75" in depth and " in height....
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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

Vintage Regency Federal Cherry Corner Cabinet
Located in west palm beach, FL
A stunning American-style vintage Regency Federal cherry corner cabinet, expertly designed to enhance any room with its rich cherry wood and elegant Fed...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Early 19th Century Rosewood Domed Top Bookcase With Brass Ormula
Located in Pueblo, CO
This is a very rare stately Rosewood cabinet with brass ormula fittings. Base section has full drawer with carved pulls above a two door cabinet with shelf, upper section is a dome ...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Antique Mahogany Wood Federal Style Credenza / Sideboard
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your dining space with this exquisite Early 19th Century Mahogany Wood Federal Style Sideboard/Credenza with a charming backsplash over a shaped top. Crafted in the distingui...
Category

1820s Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Vintage "1776" Brass American Eagle Bookends by Colonial Virginia
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is an appealing set of vintage brass bookends. The bookends each depict a spread-wing bald eagle perched on a rectangular base, stamped with the date “1776.” The bookends were m...
Category

1970s American Vintage Federal Furniture

Materials

Brass

Federal Mahogany and Birdseye Maple Lap Desk on Stand, Circa 1810s
Located in Germantown, MD
A Federal Era Mahogany and Birdseyes Maple Lap Desk on Stand, Circa 1810s Measures 22.5" in width, 11.5" in depth and 22" in height. Without stand , 22" in width, 11" in depth and 8....
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Mahogany

Pair Of Carved And Gilded Eagles Italian Animalier Sculptures Mid-19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Pair Of Eagles In Carved And Gilded Wood from the mid-1800s, this pair of animalier carvings of birds of prey in carved and gilded wood represents a fascinating example of 19th-cent...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Good Federal Domed Top Box with Shell and Banded Inlay
Located in San Francisco, CA
with domed lid centering an inlaid shell medallion; all resting on a rectangular body raised on brass ball and claw feet; later velvet-lined interior.
Category

Early 19th Century North American Antique Federal Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

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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