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.
33
to
33
33
33
33
13,175
9,656
5,627
2,326
1,928
1,561
1,114
951
782
647
502
469
418
353
314
235
134
57
5
21
7
2
2
1
16
10
8
4
3
29
29
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
Style: Federal
Recognized Seller Listings
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
Set of 4 Spaulding Federal-Style Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cups
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Federal-style sterling silver mint julep cups. Made by Spaulding & Co. (part of Gorham) in Chicago, ca 1920. Each: Straight and gently tapering sides and molded rims. A wond...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Baltimore Federal Classical Silver Ladle by Gould & Ward
Located in New York, NY
Federal Classical silver ladle. Made by Gould & Ward in Baltimore, ca 1820. Upturned fiddle terminal engraved with script monogram. Marked “Gould & Ward Baltimore” with “11-12”, whic...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
American Grain-Painted Corner Cabinet Cupboard, New England, circa 1805
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A VERY FINE AMERICAN GRAIN-PAINTED ONE-PIECE CORNER CUPBOARD
New England, circa 1805
Item # 305PXF05C
An incredibly fine one-piece corner cupboard formerly acquired at Sotheby's in 2013 for $ 15,000. The original and beautifully worn surface is incredibly lively with a rich texture in the symmetrical brush strokes with the natural rubbing through the paint from over two-hundred years of gentle handling. It is crafted in one piece from pine primary woods and poplar secondary woods and features a nine-light glazed upper door with beautifully molded astragals that opens with a replaced brass knob to reveal an interior divided with two fixed shelves. The lower portion of the cabinet is missing its knob and opens to reveal the single shelf that evenly divides out the space. And most attractive is the size, which is delightfully diminutive and allows it to be a part of any space without overwhelming the interior. An untouched treasure.
Provenance:
* Alan McDonough, Dover, Massachusetts
* Sotheby's, New York, Important Americana...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Alabaster End Tables or Plant or Display Collums
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Alabaster end tables or plant or display collums.
Hand carved highly figured Alabaster made in Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
American-Market "Peace, Plenty and Independence" Liverpool Creamware Jug
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Peace, Plenty and Independence" Liverpool Transfer Decorated Creamware Jug,
Circa 1800
The "Peace, Plenty and Independence" Liverpool transfer decorated creamware jug has a black transfer print on one side depicting a spread wing eagle perched atop a cannon flanked by symbols of Peace and Plenty with the other side with the "Farmer's Arms," the front with "Samuel & Rachel Hayne.s" within a wreath above four lines of verse, inspired by Cupid's Lessons, reading, "My love is Fix'd, I cannot range,I like my choice,Too well to change". a second stanza not shown read " Long may we live, Happy may we be, Blest with content, And from misfortune be".
Dimensions: 10 1/8 inch height x 9 inches wide x 6 1/4 inches deep.
The print of an eagle with its wings spread standing on a cannon above a medallion containing the words, “PEACE, PLENTY, and INDEPENDENCE.” This is flanked by two allegorical figures. The figure on the left represents “plenty” holding a cornucopia, while the one on the right represents “peace” using her torch to set fire to instruments of war.
The New York Historical...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
19th Century Federal Drop Leaf Table. American, circa 1825
Located in Incline Village, NV
Nicely proportioned and well made early 19th century American mahogany drop leaf table with no restorations and in completely origina...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Boston State House Staffordshire Blue & White Pottery Plates
Located in Downingtown, PA
Boston State House Staffordshirepair of pottery plates
John Rogers & Son,
1825
This Rogers underglaze blue printed plate of the Boston State Ho...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
"Apotheosis" of George Washington Creamware Jug
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Apotheosis" of George washington creamware jug,
Liverpool,
Circa 1800-10
The large "Apotheosis" of George Washington Liverpool transfer decorated ...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
American Chippendale Mahogany Chest
Located in New York, 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
New York Federal Classical Coin Silver Flagon by Nicholas James Bogert
By Nicholas James Bogert
Located in New York, NY
Federal classical coin silver flagon. Made by Nicholas James Bogert in New York, ca 1820. Upward tapering cylinder on spread and stepped base. S-scroll handle with ribbed thumb rest ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair of American Federal Male and Female Oil Painting Portraits
Located in New York, NY
Pair of gilt framed oil painting portraits of a 19th Century man and lady.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Pair of Classical Federal Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine pair of American classical Federal andirons, having urn finials over Doric column shafts standing on square plinths with scalloped base, over shaped legs having spurred knees an...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of American Classical Style Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American Classical style andirons having double knob urn finials over Doric column shafts, standing on plinth support over pair o...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of American Double Lemon Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American double lemon andirons, having beaded bands around both lemon finials, with turned collars over octagonal shafts, standing on arche...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Iron, Brass
American Federal Silhouettes of Livingston Family Members
Located in New York, NY
Snipping a profile from paper with scissors, and mounting the result to a contrasting sheet of paper, became a popular diversion among the European and American upper classes in the ...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Federal Style Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Lift Top
Located in New York, 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
American Federal Mahogany Tilt-Top Scalloped Table
Located in New York, NY
American Federal mahogany rectangular scalloped tilt-top end table on a turned pedestal tripod base.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Large Gilt American Federalist Mirrors
Located in Hudson, NY
Mirrors are from circa 1825-1835 and were made in either New York or Boston. Both mirrors come with their original glass and wood backing. Sold as is, as a pair (one mirror panel has...
Category
1830s American Antique Federal Furniture
Pair of 2 American Federal Gold Stenciling Settees
Located in New York, 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
Set of 4 American Federal Tiger Maple Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 American Country Federal style (19th Cent) tiger maple side chairs with a stretcher and rush seat
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Set of 6 American Federal Hitchcock Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 6 American Federal Hitchcock style black painted side chairs with floral decoration on back.
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
American Federal Floral Painted Settee
Located in New York, NY
American Federal floral painted Hitchcock style settee with roll back
Category
18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
19th Century American Federal Mahogany Flip Top Console Table
Located in New York, NY
American Federal-style (19th Century) mahogany flip top console/card table with lyre base
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of 12 American Federal Gilt Eagle Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 12 American Federal style (20th Cent) ebonized side chairs with fluted sides and a gilt carved eagle back with an upholstered seat.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
American Federal Gilt Carved Convex Eagle Pediment Wall Mirror
Located in New York, 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
American Federal Style Flag with Brass Pole and Stand
Located in New York, NY
American Federal-style (19/20th Century) bronze eagle base flag pole with eagle finial and flag.
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
American Federal Pine Chest
Located in New York, NY
American Federal pine chest with 4 drawers and carved column sides.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
American Federal Gilt Eagle Figure
Located in New York, NY
American Federal (19th Cent) life size gilt carved eagle figure standing on serpent and round painted base
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Federal Rosewood Roll Top Secretary
Located in New York, NY
American Federal rosewood and maple interior roll top secretary with bronze and ebonized trim (Attributed to Leon Marcotte, N.Y.)
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
American Federal Mahogany Pembroke Table
Located in New York, NY
American Federal (Mid-19th Century) mahogany Pembroke table with re-entrant cornered top above a frieze drawer, an acanthus-carved stem & legs with lions paw feet & casters.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Federal Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This American Federal-period overmantel composition mirror features a gilt carved wood and gesso frame. A sculpted eagle is perched above an églomisé panel depicting flowers. Separating the panels of original mirror glass are engaged Corinthian columns, and atop each of the ends are flame-and-leaf finials. The mirror is of an unusual design, but two Federal-period New York mirrors...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Brass Filing
Yellow Wood Cabinet
Mid Century Knoll Office Chair
United Furniture Company Chest Of Drawers
Bedside Cabinets Modern
Bedside Modern Cabinets
Wood Shop Sign
Blue Commodes And Chest Of Drawers
Wood Dutch Cabinet
Wood Fluted Column
Yellow Neoclassical
Cabinet 1930 Vintage
Carved Wood Black Cabinet
Ebonized Display
Vintage House Keys
Vintage House Key
Case Pieces And Storage With Paw Feet
Vintage English Cottage