Federal Desks and Writing Tables
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 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front Desk w Drawers Dresser
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front desk w drawers dresser.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Petit English Multi Drawer Compartment Mahogany Leather Top Desk
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Beautiful English petit mahogany desk console entry lobby table with leather top.
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20th Century English Federal Desks and Writing Tables
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Leather, Mahogany
Vintage Mahogany Pembroke Table, Gordon’s Fine Furniture, Inc.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Vintage Mahogany Pembroke table, Gordon’s Fine Furniture, Inc.
A Classic Pembroke table by Gordon’s Fine Furniture, Inc. made of mahogany with...
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Mid-20th Century American Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Mahogany Campaign Officers Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most unusual Federal period mahogany campaign field desk from the early 19th century. Believed to have been used as a maritime sea capta...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cherry, Mahogany, Poplar
Connecticut Mahogany Slant Front Desk, c.1800
Located in Savannah, GA
A Connecticut mahogany slant front desk on french feet with original 15 star eagle pulls, circa 1800.
Some provenance and notations with dates on lopers. Friction fit interior door....
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Early 1800s American Antique Federal Desks and Writing Tables
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Mahogany
Vintage Brandt Flip Top Piano Style Small Wooden Writing Desk Table
By Brandt
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 Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
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 Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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 Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
American Mahogany Federal Work Table with Barley Twist Legs on Casters, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany Federal two drawer hinged work table with a ratcheted white pine writing surface, fitted interior for ink wells, original brass sandwich glass knobs, lower connecti...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Low Profile Kidney Shape Burl Wood Compact Desk Writing Table Vanity MINT Italy
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded Inlayed Top Carved Legs Low Profile Kidney Shape Burl Wood Compact Desk Writing Table Vanity Made in Italy Italy.
Category
20th Century Italian Federal Desks and Writing Tables
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Burl, Walnut
Antique Mahogany Compact 20x35 Writing Table Console Desk Side Drawer Leather
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique Mahogany Compact 20x35 Writing Table Console Desk Side Drawer Leather
Category
20th Century American Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Rare Early 19th Century American Baltimore Federal Parcel Gilt Writing Desk
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and rare early 19th century American Baltimore Federal painted writing table with fabulous parcel gilt detail throughout. The moulded to...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
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Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
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Located in Bridgeport, CT
A New York flame mahogany federal butler's desk with drop down (side snap operation) door revealing a green leatherette tooled work surface. The interior with a center door concealing storage and an inside drawer that is flanked by two "secret" panels with string inlay and further enhanced by pigeon holes and short and long drawers.
The overall desk presents with string inlay decorated deep top desk over three long drawers in rich flame mahogany veneers. The drawers with embossed brass hardware and the whole resting on bracket feet. Lacking a key.
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Federal Antique 1825 Drop Front Secretary Desk, Cherry & Tiger Maple
Located in Charleston, SC
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19th Century Poplar Federal Slant Front Flip Top Schoolmasters Desk
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Drexel Heritage Federal Style Mahogany Tooled Leather Slide Top 10-Drawer Desk
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A rare Drexel Heritage Bonheur du Jour Federal Style mahogany tooled leather slide top desk with 10 functional drawers. It is superb condition and is beautifully designed. The desk area has 5 top smaller drawers, 4 rear, very deep drawers, a large center drawer with original brass drawer knobs...
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Early American Federal Period Mahogany Table
Located in Forney, TX
Elegant simplicity; Is what you'll find in this classically designed Federal period single drawer farm house table, circa 1800. Recently independent, yet still sharing English Regency influence, this early American post-colonial table features clean lines, rich antique mahogany color...
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18th to 19th Century Walnut & Mahogany Federal Style Drop Leaf Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
18th to 19th century walnut & mahogany federal style drop leaf desk
Handsome 18th to 19th century hand crafted mahogany & walnut desk with inlay
Two full length drawers - Beautiful inlay work
Measures: 34.75" wide x 24" deep x 28.5" high + two 12" leaves - Maximum length 58.25"
The table sits atop a double pedestal base over four brass capped feet
Good antique condition with minimal loss to the finish and veneers
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Diminutive American Federal Mahogany Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
19th century mahogany writing table or desk made in the federal style in a diminutive scale. The table is fronted by two storage drawers with round brass pulls. Supported by elegant ...
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New York Federal Mahogany Two-Drawer Work Stand, circa 1800
Located in Milford, NH
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American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Antique Secretary Writing Desk, circa 1790-1810
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A rare and exceptional “Ladies Writing Desk“, this form and use of three inlaid columns in the upper doors relates to the tambour door examples by John and Thomas Seymour held in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston as well as a similar documented example in Winterthur Museum, Delaware. Another quite similar example is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, this resting over spade feet with the same swollen profile as the present example. Our desk was likely completed by a craftsman inspired by the Seymour's desks, though without the use of additional inlays and tambour front found on most of the Seymour attributed desks.
Exquisitely inlaid columns divide out the facade of the upper, these nearly pictorial with a sash that wraps around the column diagonally. The doors open to reveal six pigeon-hole letter slots with scalloped valances below four and over three drawers. Note the quality of the craftsmanship with alternating light, medium and dark hues between the drawer facades, valances and what would appear to be rosewood veneered blades and divides. This upper section is built as a solitary unit and can be removed easily from the top, allowing the desk to be safely moved without suffering damage. It is perhaps this attention to detail that has allowed it to remain in such excellent overall original condition.
In the lower section, a single smaller drawer is flanked by lopers, withdrawn to allow the writing surface to flip out and rest firmly. A second larger drawer is situated below this, both with replaced stamped brass pulls. The mahogany used in the drawer fronts is a very pleasing grain pattern with horizontal rolling waves, the rectangle framed in light-and-dark double stringer inlays and surrounded by cockbead molding.
A warm silky patina throughout allows the aged mahogany to glow through the burnished shellac and years of surface wax. It is an exceptional investment grade piece in very Fine original condition throughout.
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Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, acc. no. B.65.12: a Federal Tambour...
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H 43.75 in W 38.88 in D 20.25 in
Federal desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Federal desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Brandt, Drexel, Gordon Furniture Co., and Reprodux. 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 desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $795 and tops out at $9,800 while the average work can sell for $3,500.