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.
Charak Lacquered Mahogany Banded Round Dining Table w/ 2 Leaves Inlaid Legs Mint
By Charak Furniture Company, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid-Century Modern solid teak pull out roll top desk drawers chair mint. Two table leaves measuring 18''.
Mahogany
American Federal Carved Walnut Card or Desk Table, New York, circa 1810
Located in Miami, FL
American Federal relief carved mahogany card table.
Walnut
$6,930
H 28.94 in Dm 47.25 in
Rare Large circa 1825 South German Biedermeier Walnut Dining or Centre Table
By Biedermeier
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning large Biedermeier south German round table circa 1825 A highly collectible and good lookin...
Walnut
Custom Regency Style 56" Diameter Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Swathed in the finest figured mahogany, this 56” diameter table features a bold pedestal comprised of a tapered octagonal column having an ebonized collar and terminating on a platfo...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Ebony
Pair Of American Federal Tables Boston Circa 1810
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 ...
Mahogany, Pine
Antique German Biedermeier Walnut Side Table, Circa 1810-1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, antique German Biedermeier side table made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Walnut, in very good condition. The small round detailed occasional table is composed with one hidden, pull-out drawer. The end table is supported by a hexagonal column...
Walnut
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. Shape...
Mahogany
Antique Italian Carved Walnut Wood Table Console Desk
Located in Carimate, Como
A magnificent and impressive Italian antique walnut table with three full width shelves that can be opened from both sides with greatly carved and beveled top and beautiful carved tu...
Wood
English Regency Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency mahogany round dining table with a molded edge supported on a pedestal base with 4 gilt claw legs and green painted trim.
Gold Leaf
$29,700
H 38.25 in W 62.25 in D 21 in
Antique Neoclassical Mahogany Center Table with Marble Top, Circa 1810
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Neoclassical Italian center table made of hand crafted shellac polished Mahogany, in good condition. The freestanding console table is composed with a white-grey marble to...
Marble
$6,098Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 64.18 in D 55.91 in
Peter Hvidt and Orla Molgaard Solid Teak Dining Table with Drop-leaves
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, Søborg Møbelfabrik
Located in London, GB
Listed here are two chests of drawers sold separately. These pieces are part of a large group of bedroom furniture designed by Hvidt & Mølgaard and made by Søborg Møbler in th...
Teak
$48,000
H 27.5 in Dm 47 in
Philip and Kelvin Laverne Chinoiserie Chan Center Table, New York, circa 1960's
Located in Miami, FL
Philip and Kelvin Laverne chinoiserie "Chan" center table, gueridon New York, circa 1960's, Bronze, hand sculptured, inlaid with pewter, buried in earth to attain natural and subtle ...
Brass, Bronze, Pewter
$4,250
H 28.5 in W 42 in D 22.75 in
American Federal Drop Leaf Dining Table in West Indies Mahogany New York, c 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome American Federal or Empire Pembroke table in fine West Indies mahogany with two drop leaves. This period breakfast table is supported by a reeded, vase-turned column on a ...
Brass
$3,295
H 29.5 in W 48 in D 48 in
Baker Furniture Italian Empire Carved Mahogany Pedestal Breakfast Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal dining breakfast table, game table, or center table. By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection. Italy, circa ...
Mahogany
Kittinger Federal Style Blue Leather Mahogany Rent / Center / Dining Table
By Kittinger
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large scale Federal style carved mahogany round rent table with French blue leather top by Kittinger. I believe this to be a custom piece fo...
Brass
Embossed Burgundy Leather 36" Diameter Mahogany Drum Game Table Gueridon MINT
By Baker Furniture Company, Maitland Smith
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Embossed Burgundy Leather 36" Diameter Mahogany Drum Game Table Gueridon MINT!
Leather, Mahogany
Mahogany Inlay Round Round Center Foyer Table
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning round mahogany pedestal table with carved fluted column terminating into three paw feet. Features starburst inlaid pattern.
Mahogany
Sold
H 29 in W 31 in D 31 in
Kittinger Thomas Jefferson Octagonal Mahogany Rotating File Rent Center Table
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful mahogany File or Rent table by Kittinger. This table is part of the Thomas Jefferson collection that was authorized by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation. It is a reproduction of the original table which was used by Thomas Jefferson and is located in the Monticello Library today. It has an octagonal top with hand-turned/hand-carved fluted pedestal baseending in a hoof foot. The four dovetailed drawers and four hinged door compartments have inlaid boxwood alphabetical lettering. The top swivels 360 degrees. Originally Purchased from William W. Sauer Associates Ltd. Virginia Beach, VA in 1997. "Monticello," Italian for "Little Mountain," is an enduring tribute to the genius and versatility of Thomas Jefferson, who personally designed and supervised erection of the splendid mansion. He resided in it for many years of his long life, his spirit lives on in its architectural perfection and the ingenious devices with which he equipped it, and he is buried nearby. Sitting amid pleasant gardens and lawns on a hilltop, the residence overlooks Charlottesville; the University of Virginia, which Jefferson founded and some of whose buildings he designed; and the green rolling hills...
Mahogany
Sold
H 30.5 in W 37 in D 18.5 in
Fine Pair of American Hekman Signed Flame Mahogany Flip-top Consoles Table
Located in Forney, TX
A fine pair of vintage richly figured flame mahogany demilune consoles / round games tables by high-quality American furniture maker Hekman Furniture, since 1922, Grand Rapids, Michi...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Federal Style Pedestal Mahogany Drum Table, Circa 1940s
Located in Germantown, MD
This vintage mahogany drum table was crafted in the US around the year 1940. The mahogany looks incredible, with a rich complexion that is ...
Brass
Sold
H 26 in W 26 in D 26 in
Baker Furniture Banded Mahogany Pedestal Drum Table w/ Custom Beveled Glass Top
Located in Germantown, MD
Baker Furniture banded mahogany pedestal drum table Circa 1990s. Original finish condition. Large drawer. Custom beveled glass top. Table on wh...
Brass
Sold
H 30.25 in Dm 48 in L 30.25 in
19th Century Boston Late Federal Round Expandable Dining Table by Briggs
By Cornelius Briggs
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 19th century round dining table with three leaves for expansion --Tasteful fluted column pedestal with original fe...
Mahogany
Period American Federal Neoclassical Round Expanding Dining Table
By Cornelius Briggs
Located in Essex, MA
Period Boston Federal mahogany round dining table with four extension leaves (original) Split pedestal base with four Round neoclassical column pedestal, Cuban and African Crotch ...
Mahogany
Antique Federal style Inlaid Sheraton Console Games Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Federal style inlaid console / center table with flip top. 36.75" square when open.
Mahogany
Federal Round Pedestal Table in West Indies Mahogany, New York, circa 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very handsome round table in the neoclassical style made of fine West Indies mahogany. New York, circa 1820. This Federal table is beautifully-crafted, with well-articulated carvin...
Mahogany
19th Century Federal Carved Mahogany Round Table with Brass Feet
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
19th century federal period carved mahogany round table four drawers with brass feet. Great condition.
Mahogany