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.
$1,750Sale Price|30% Off
Union National Mid Century Duncan Phyfe Style Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid-20th Century Union National Duncan Phyfe Style Drop Leaf Extendable Dining Table. Made from American mahogany with a banded top. Features a harp or lyre carved pedestal base ...
Brass
$4,320Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Mahogany Dining Table with Leaves with Brass Clips
Located in Huntington, NY
Table has 2 end sections and 2 leaves and brass clips. The table can be used as a pair of side table against the wall. Great color and patina Dimension...
Brass
Very Fine Oval Walnut Banded 68” Long Dining Table w/ 2 Leaves MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Oval Walnut Banded 68” Long Dining Table w/ 2 Leaves MINT 2x24” leaves
Walnut
Antique Federal Oval Dining Table
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite antique mahogany Federal oval dining table. Federal-style—also known as Adam-style in Britain and Louis XVI style in France—flourished in the newly formed United States ...
Mahogany
18th Century Farm Table made of pine and maple
Located in Houston, TX
An rare surviving 18th century American farm table, crafted with a pine top over a maple base, exemplifying the craftsmanship of the late colonial to early Federal period. The rectan...
Maple, Pine
Banded Oval Racetrack Shape Carved Double Pedestal Burl Walnut 13' Long Dining
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded Oval Racetrack Shape Carved Double Pedestal Burl Walnut 13' Long Dining Conference Table MINT!
Mahogany, Walnut
$1,295Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique American Federal / Georgian style mahogany drop leaf dining table featuring rectangular form with two large drop leaves, gatelegs, and brass castors. Circa early 19th centur...
Mahogany
Federal Style Mahogany Dining Table by Kindel, 20th Century. Includes 4 leaves
Located in Savannah, GA
Federal inlaid mahogany dining table with 4 leaves of 12.5" wide each for a total of 131" long
Mahogany
American Mahogany Oval Banded Top 3x16" Leaves Dining Banquet Table MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
American Mahogany Oval Banded Top 3x16" Leaves Dining Banquet Table MINT. 3x16” leaves with an extended table length of 86”
Mahogany
Tobacco Leaf Carved Mahogany Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
Tobacco Leaf Carved Mahogany Dining Table. Late Federal / American Empire mahogany drop-leaf table with hand carved tobacco leaf legs on original brass casters supporting a commodiou...
Mahogany
Federal Dining Table, Cuban Mahogany, Salem, Massachusetts, 1810
Located in Seaford, GB
Massachusetts Cuban mahogany dining table Period: Federal Date: 1810 Place of Manufacturer: Salem, Massachusetts Made of: Cuban Mahogany Conditio...
Mahogany
Jonathan Charles 66/92' Diamet Round 8 board Extendable Dining Table Single Base
By Baker Furniture Company, Jonathan Charles
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Jonathan Charles 66/92' Diamet Round 8 board Extendable Dining Table Single Base 13" extension boards leaves
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Federal Mahogany Dining or Breakfast Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style drop leaf dining table, breakfast table, or game table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched banded mahogany, with satinwo...
Mahogany, Satinwood
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...
Brass
Kindel Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Extension Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Federal or Hepplewhite style extension dining table By Kindel Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous book-matched mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetry. Measures: 80...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany Drop Leaf Breakfast Dining Table w/ Drawer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique 19th C. Federal Sheraton Crotch Mahogany Drop Leaf Breakfast Dining Table w/ ...
Mahogany
Kittinger Double Pedestal SOLID Mahogany 1x24" Extension Board Leaf MINT!
By Kittinger
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Kittinger Double Pedestal Solid Mahogany 1x24" Extension Board Leaf MINT! 1x 24" leaf with an extended table length of 104".
Mahogany
Charak Lacquered Mahogany Banded Round Dining Table w/ 2 Leaves Inlaid Legs Mint
By Baker Furniture Company, Charak 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 Banquet Dining Table in Mahogany w/ Extension Leaves, Seats 18
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
From Malcolm Forbes' estate Timberfield, an elegant and long mahogany dining table with three sections, American, circa 1830. The rectangular top above ...
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Federal Banded Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style drop leaf dining table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched banded mahogany, with satinwood string inlay, and brass-cappe...
Brass
Antique American Federal Tiger Maple Narrow Drop Leaf Breakfast Dining Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique American Federal Tiger Maple Narrow Drop Leaf Breakfast Dining Table with Stu...
Maple
Quality Mahogany Drop Leaf Dining Table By Brandt
By Brandt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
CA. 1950's. With the Maryland company label and genuine mahogany label. An elegant classical style mahogany dining table with deep leaves. The frieze and square tapering legs are str...
Mahogany
1930s American Federal Inlaid Mahogany 3-Part Banquet Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An amazing 1930s American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Three Part, 14 legs Banquet Dining Table . Measures 126" in width, 48" in depth and stands 30.5" tall. Detach this table to have two large demilune...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Banded Double Pedestal Tripod Base Mahogany 72" Long Dining Table 2 Leaves MINT
By Baker Furniture Company, Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded Double Pedestal Tripod Base Mahogany 72" Long Dining Table 2 Leaves MINT 2X22" Leaves.
Mahogany
Henkel Harris Federal Cherry Extension Dining Table with Three Leaves
Located in Germantown, MD
Henkel Harris Federal Style Solid Cherry Extension Dining Table with Three Leaves Excellent Vintage Condition with crafty inlaid legs. Each leaf is 12" wide. Leaves are securely stor...
Cherry, Satinwood
Large 51x96” Rectangle 2” Solid Maple c1940s Dining Conference Table MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large 51x96” Rectangle 2” Solid Maple c1940s Dining Conference Table MINT
Maple
Baker Williamsburg Colonial 8839 Mahogany Federal Inlay Extension Dining Table A
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Baker Williamsburg Colonial (Pattern 8839) Mahogany Federal Style Banded Extension Dining Table (A). Item features (3) 18" skirted leaves,...
Mahogany
1930s American Federal Mahogany And Satinwood Inlay Drop-Leaf Dining Table
Located in Germantown, MD
For your consideration is this large drop-leaf dining table measuring 78" in width, 48" in depth and 30.5" in height. This unusual drop leaf table with comfortably accomodate 10+ peo...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Kittinger Tripple Tripod Base 2x24" Extensions Leaves Oval Dining Banquet Table
By Kittinger Furniture Company, Williamsburg Restoration Inc.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
MINT Kittinger Tripple Tripod Base 2x24" Extensions Leaves Oval Dining Banquet Table 2x24” leaves with an extended table length of 146"
Mahogany
18th Century Pine and Maple Farm Table
Located in Houston, TX
An attractive 18th century American farm table, crafted with a pine top over a maple base. This charming piece exemplifies the craftsmanship of the late colonial to early federal pe...
Maple, Pine
Banded Mahogany Tripple Pedestal Base 3 Ext. Section 157" Long Dining Table MINT
By Kittinger Furniture Company, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Banded Mahogany Tripple Pedestal Base 3 Ext. Section 157" Long Dining Table MINT! 2 x 24" leaves with an extended table length of 157".
Brass
Baker Williamsburg Colonial 8839 Mahogany Federal Inlay Extension Dining Table B
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Baker Williamsburg Colonial (Pattern 8839) Mahogany Federal Style Banded Extension Dining Table (B). Item features a (3) 18" skirted leaves,...
Brass
Duncan Phyfe Style Twin Pedestal Dining Table with Faux Marble Hand Painted Top
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An elegant twin pedestal Duncan Phyfe/Sheraton style dining table, the pedestals in mahogany with original brass castors, the 'D' shaped top expertly painted in a faux green veined m...
Mahogany