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
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
Early 19th Century Store Display American Crca 1800-1810
Located in Hudson, NY
This is an incredibly rare piece. Made from Pine with the original dark green paint. Originally used as a store display in the early 19th century. With swollen baluster turnings, cup...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
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 to possibly be a very early marriage ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
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. Shaped skirt and conforming ovolo shaped...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1890s Era Solid Mahogany Chippendale Corner Cabinet Cupboard Hand Blown Glass
Located in Long Branch, NJ
1890s Era Solid Mahogany Chippendale Corner Cabinet Cupboard Hand Blown Glass
Measures 44 wide x 93 tall x 22 deep
sides 30 inches against wall
This 2 piece corner cabinet is de...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Early 19thC American Federal Period Convex Gilt Wood Eagle Mirror 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique American Federal period convex gilt wood looking Glass/ mirror, circa 1820.
The mirror sumounted with a carved eagle on a plinth, the eagle with a chain suspended from...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Rare Antique American Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa Settee Boston Massachusetts
Located in Dayton, OH
A Very Fine American Federal Period Carved Mahogany Sofa, circa 1810. Features a bowback frame with cross banding. Sloped arms lead to reeded supports in front of remarkable three-di...
Category
1810s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Rare Antique 19th Century American Federal Mahogany Carved Sofa Settee
Located in Dayton, OH
A Very Fine American Federal Period Carved Mahogany Sofa, circa 1830. Features a bowfront frame with sloped arms leading to reeded supports. The sofa is supported by turned and reede...
Category
1830s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Aaron Willard Boston Federal Shelf Clock Arched & Inlaid Pediment/ Mahogany Case
Located in Savannah, GA
This magnificent shelf clock has an arched and inlaid pediment over a painted dial that is signed "Aaron Willard, Boston," fancifully painted within cartouche with laurel wreath and ...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Tin
American Mahogany Drop Leaf Barley Twist Work Table with Orig. Brasses, C. 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal Mahogany drop leaf three drawer work table with incised carvings, original circular foliage brasses, key hole escutcheons, and resting on bulbous ringed barley twist...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
William Cummens Federal Mahogany Tall Clock with Moon Phase Dial circa 1820
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Federal mahogany tall case clock with a delicate fretwork crest, adorned with three ball and spire brass finials, surmounting an arched form glass door, opening to a h...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 25" H x 66.5" W x 4.75" D.
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Lewis Barnes Hand Painted Cane Seat Fancy Chairs, Portsmouth NH c 1820
Located in Milford, NH
A nice pair of hand painted golden yellow cane seat fancy chairs, branded “L. Barnes” on the underside, circa 1820. Paint decorated in a musical motif crest , the shaped back splat f...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Fine Federal Period Sheraton Mahogany Card or Gaming Table circa 1800
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal Period, Sheraton mahogany card or gaming table with turret corners, checkered inlay around the folding top edge, a shaped frieze with an oval patera, all ...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Antique American Federal Carved Giltwood Pier Mirror Églomisé Panel NY 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American Federal period, Classical giltwood eglomise pier mirror, New York, circa 1815.
The mirror with a stepped cornice and applied gilt spheres, below are bands of ...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair of Early 19th Century Federal Hepplewhite Mirrors with Pineapple Finals
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of American Federal Hepplewhite Mirrors with Pineapple Finials. Wonderful pediment shaped eglomise panels with floral gilt. Gilded balls and columns. A true pair. Possibly Al...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Aaron Willard Boston Mahogany Shelf Clock w/ Eglomisé Painting & Eagle Finial
Located in Savannah, GA
Popularized at the turn of the 19th century in coastal Massachusetts, these handsome shelf clocks are subsequently referred to as Massachusetts shelf clocks. This decorated example ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
New Hampshire Federal Mahogany And Tiger Maple Banjo Clock
Located in Essex, MA
With urn finial over a round clock face with painted iron dial and
Roman numerals. Hinged glass bezel. Waisted case with finely figured tiger maple flanked by carved mahogany side a...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair Of Federal Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
With arched backs with pierced splats with small carved rosettes. Drop in seats and raised on square tapered legs with H form stretchers.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Federal Two Part Cherry Corner Cupboard circa 1820
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal two part corner cupboard, its upper case with a single glass door, opening to a light green painted interior with two shelves, over a lower case with two ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th c American Cherry Two Part Step Back Cupboard w/Tiger Maple Drawer Fronts
Located in Milford, NH
A fine cherry two part step back cupboard, its upper case with a molded cornice surmounting a center three panel window, flanked by two glazed glass doors which open to a light blue ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Cherry, Maple
Sterling Silver Tea Caddy Spoon by Hester Bateman, London, 1790
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Sterling silver tea caddy spoon by Hester Bateman, London, 1790. Old English pattern. While several elaborate models were in her offerings, this simple example best typifies her clie...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
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 and curves that display a master builder's ha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
19th Century American Federal Style Overmantel Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th Century American Federal style gilt wood mirror is a quintessential example of the elegance and symmetry that define the Federal design aesthetic. Its frame, adorned with s...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Antique American Simon Willard & Son 8 Day Banjo Clock Patent Timepiece 1825
Located in Portland, OR
Rare antique American Simon Willard & Son Mahogany Patent Timepiece or "Banjo" Clock, Boston, Massachusetts, c. 1825.
The case made of Cuban mahogany with figured mahogany panels to ...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
By Walter Durfee
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Tiffany & CO Oak 5 Musical 5 Gong Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Dimensions : 104" Tall X 26" Wide X 15.5" Deep
This gorgeous grandfather clock was made in the late 19th ...
Category
1890s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Oak
Fine American Federal Mahogany Chest Of Drawers, Massachusetts, Ca. 1810
Located in Free Union, VA
A very fine example of a Boston area Sheraton mahogany chest of drawers, with turret corners and reeded stiles on tall legs, giving ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
New England (Massachusetts) Federal Mahogany Hunt Board Inlaid Sideboard
Located in Free Union, VA
A striking breakfront sideboard from the Boston area with handsome maple cross banding around each drawer and cabinet and tiger maple inlay panels set into each stile. The top drawer...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Birch, Mahogany
Late 1700's American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Corner Cabinet w/ Dentil Molding
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 18th Century American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Corner Cabinet with an overhanging dentil molded cornice above the upper section with a diamond pattern individually glazed divided...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Inlaid-Mahogany Card Game Table, Massachusetts ca. 1810
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID-MAHOGANY GAMES TABLE
North Shore, Massachusetts ca. 1810 Provenance: Bernard and S. Dean Levy, Inc. New York, label retained verso
Item # 401PKI25A
A very ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Silk Broadside An Elegiac Poem Death of President George Washington 1800
Located in Portland, OR
An important & rare antique American political printed silk broadside, an elegy on the death of President George Washington, dated 1800.
A poem on the Death of President George Was...
Category
1790s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silk
19th Century Federal American Two Over Three Bow Front Chest In Mahogany
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal American bow front chest in mahogany with conforming molded edge top, surmounting a case two over three drawer con...
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
Uncut Sheet of Nautical Decorated Commercial Banknotes, Circa 1850s - 1860s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Uncut Sheet of Nautical Decorated Commercial Banknotes, Circa 1850s - 1860s, a polychromed printed sheet of obsolete commercial banknotes issued by the Stonington Bank of Stonington, Connecticut, in Five and Ten Dollar denominations.
The Five Dollar notes feature a central allegorical image of a Neoclassical seated woman holding a Liberty Pole and scales, by a cornucopia, resting her foot on a globe: symbols of Liberty, Justice, Plenty, and Navigation - taken together she represents Lady Liberty or perhaps a version of Lady Columbia...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
19th C. American Federal Floral Painted Bench
Located in Southampton, NJ
An Antique American Federal hand painted floral & fruits solid wood bench with rolled crest rail & scroll arms; most likely originating in Baltimore mid 19th c. Scarcely seen in thi...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
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 Federal Sheraton Mahogany 2 Drawer Work Stand Side Table Nightstand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany 2 Drawer Work Stand Side Table Nightstand. Item features 2 dovetail constructed drawers, tapered legs, brass hardware, beautiful wood grain. Circa 1...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Period American Federal Period Maple Tilt Top Side Table Late 18th C
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique Period Late 18th Century American Federal Period Maple Tilt Top Side Table with tripod pedestal base and a burl wood veneered top.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Maple
Federal Chippendale Walnut Corner Cupboard
Located in Bradenton, FL
An exceptionally fine large two piece Federal Walnut architectural corner cupboard 1780-1800 attributed to the Frederick County area of Maryland s...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Period Antique American Massachusetts Federal Carved Mahogany Sofa Circa 1800
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Period Antique American Massachusetts Federal Carved Mahogany Sofa. Curved and scrolled crest rail, with the arm rests terminating in carved pineapples and bulbs, set on fluted legs with brass casters, vertical stripe upholstery. Circa 1800. Solid Hardwood Construction and Hand Doweled Joinery. Eight way...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Hardwood, Mahogany
Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful diminutive size Federal style two part inlaid figured mahogany bookcase, its upper case with a shaped crest with three urn finials surmounting two bow front glass paneled...
Category
Late 19th 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
1800 Federal Style Brass and Wire Steeple Top Fire Fender
Located in Sheridan, CO
Fireplace surround in the Federal Style. American brass rail top and wire fire fender with brass ball faceted steeple top finials and wire work, New Y...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Brass and Iron Hand Made Fireplace Tool Set With Stand
Located in Sheridan, CO
Exquisite set of hand made brass fireplace tools from England (late 1800s) along with hand forged iron brush from France (mid 1800s). Set includes shovel, fork, tongs, brush and stan...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Period American Federal Highly Carved Mahogany Sofa Circa 1800
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1800 American Federal highly carved mahogany sofa with scrolled carved headrest, curvelinear arms and outswept hairy paw feet upholstered in a vintage old striated velvet fabric
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Velvet, Mahogany
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
American Federal Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with pinched corners over four graduated drawers with oval brass handles.
Bracket feet.
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Philadelphia Federal Wardrobe / Armoire in West Indies Mahogany c. !820
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional American Federal wardrobe from Philadelphia in fine West Indies mahogany. Features split cylindrical columns with elaborate acanthus-carved Corinthian capitals flanking doors with book matched, crotch-mahogany panels. The stepped ogee-style crown molding, too, is expertly book matched, along with the concave base board...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Antique Federal Mahogany & Giltwood Figural Eagle Wall Mirror 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Shipping Rates - Reliable Service & Fully Insured***
An antique Federal wall mirror offers shaped mahogany frame having giltwood figural eagle crest, fl...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Federal Style Mahogany Pembroke Table . Measures 17.5" in width close, 34" in width open, 24.5" in depth and stands 26" tall.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Federal Giltwood Convex Bullseye Eagle Acanthus Mirror 31"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th Century gold giltwood bullseye / convex wall mirror featuring a round frame carved with an American eagle with wings outstretched and bunches of acanthus leaves, over a ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
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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