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.
Round 20" in Diameter Inlayed One Drawer Burl Wood Tapered Legs Stand End Table
By Heritage-Henredon, Adams, Berkey & Gay Furniture, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Round 20" in Diameter Inlayed One Drawer Burl Wood Tapered Legs Stand End Side Occasional Lamp Table MINT!
Burl
Henredon Burl Walnut Round Center Lamp Side Occasional Table Stand Shelves Mint!
By Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Henredon Burl Walnut Round Center Lamp Side Occasional Table Stand Shelves Mint!
Walnut
Antique Federal Period Mahogany Work Table with Pineapple Carved Pillars c. 1840
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique Federal Period Mahogany Work Table, dating to around 1840, is a striking example of American craftsmanship from the Federal period. The piece is made from richly grained...
Mahogany
$2,240Sale Price|30% Off
American Tavern Table, Pine and Poplar, Scrub Top, Circa 1800
Located in Hudson, NY
Very handsome scrub top work table or Tavern table. Retaining all of the original surface and it's beautiful breadboard top. Made in both Pine and poplar, this table is very solid an...
Pine, Poplar
Solid flame Mahogany Turned Legs 3 Drawer Drop Leaf Sewing Stand Cabinet MINT
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid flame Mahogany Turned Legs 3 Drawer Drop Leaf Sewing Stand Cabinet MINT Drop Leaves are 10" long.
Mahogany
Antique American Federal Style Drop Leaf Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique American federal style cherry wood drop leaf table, 19th century. With a 2 board top, a frieze drawer, square tapered legs and S shaped stretcher bars. Nice old cherry...
Cherry
Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Two Tier Barley Twist Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid century Federal style Mahogany two tier barley twist side table in very good vintage condition. Measures 18.25" square and stand...
Mahogany
Vintage Sheraton Federal Mahogany Magazine Rack Book Stand Side End Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sheraton Federal Style Mahogany Magazine Rack Book Stand Side End Table. Item features solid brass hardware and one drawer. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 27" H x 18...
Mahogany
American Federal Two Drawer Stand In Original Red Surface 1810 - 1825
Located in Hudson, NY
A very sturdy and charming, painted two drawer stand. American Circa 1810 to 1820. Made it popular with pine secondary wood likely Northern New England, likely Maine, retains the ori...
Pine, Poplar
Neoclassical American Empire Side or Lamp Table in Mahogany, circa 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A neoclassical American Empire work table in mahogany and crotch mahogany with two drawers with convex fronts. Top rests on cylindrical column over a quatre-from base and terminating...
Mahogany
Philadelphia Federal Mahogany Work Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with rounded hinged ends opening to compartments over two drawers that open from both sides over a hinged door with tambour front and ends and back raised on turned t...
Mahogany
American Federal Mahogany Two-Drawer Stand with Original Gilt Brasses, C. 1810
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal figured mahogany two-drawer stand with carved molded edge top, original gilt floral ringed brasses, interior locks, and resting on turned bulbous pineapple legs...
Brass
American Federal Tiger Maple One Drawer Stand with Turned Ringed Legs C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal tiger maple one drawer stand with original wood knob, turned bulbous ringed legs, and the original pointed feet. Secondary wood co...
Maple, Poplar
Southampton Mahogany Gallery Top Brass Drop Pull One-Drawer End Table Stand
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mahogany brass hardware one shelf end table nightstand.
Mahogany
American Federal Mahogany Pembroke Table
Located in Queens, 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.
Mahogany
Fine Antique Federal Period Cherry One Drawer Hepplewhite Stand c. 1820
Located in Westfield, MA
This fine Federal period cherry stand, dating to around 1820, embodies the elegant simplicity and refined craftsmanship of early 19th-century American furniture. The stand features c...
Cherry
Beacon Hill Collection Federal Reproduction Mahogany Planter Table
By Beacon Hill
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A 1950s Federal reproduction planter table by Beacon Hill Collection. The table features a wonderful serpentine mahogany veneer top, elegant tape...
Copper
Antique Federal Period Mahogany Three Drawer Stand with Embossed Pulls c. 1820
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique Federal Period Mahogany Three Drawer Stand, dating to around 1820, exemplifies the refined elegance of Federal-period design. Crafted from rich mahogany, the piece displ...
Mahogany
Federal Drop-Leaf Table in Mahogany, circa 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A federal table in mahogany with drop-leaves, on turned legs with large leaf carvings and ending in casters. Offers one drawer with original wooden pull. Note: You should always req...
Mahogany
Early American Federal Period Flame Mahogany Antique Wash Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and stunning Federal period (1789-1823) early American flame mahogany wash stand. circa 1810 Exquisitely hand-crafted in the Northeastern United States in the early 19th cent...
Brass
19th Century American cherry one drawer stand with turned legs and feet
Located in Richmond, VA
Great little 19th Century American cherry one drawer stand with turned legs, feet and 2 board top
Cherry
Federal Mahogany Inlaid and Stinciled Top Accent Table
Located in Germantown, MD
X legs American Federal style side table with inlays and gold stenciling top. Good vintage condition. Measures 22" x 22" x 28"H.
Mahogany
Pair of Chabby Chic White Painted Three Drawers Nightstands Lamp Tables
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of distressed vintage weathered look nightstands. Brass pulls.
Mahogany
$1,600 / set
Set of Burl Wood Oval Nesting Tables by Baker
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of oval Baker nesting stacking side end lamp tables stands.
Burl
American Federal Mahogany Compartmentalized Hinged Work Table, VA Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany work table with a hinged top revealing two flanking compartments, deep centered reeded front drawer with original...
Brass
Federal Tilt-Top Candlestand Table
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
Federal walnut tilt-top candlestand. The rectangular cut-corner top on vase and ring-turned support and tripod base of shaped legs.
Walnut
Vintage Federal Style X Stretcher One Drawer End Table by Stickley
Located in Westfield, MA
A beautifully crafted vintage Federal style one-drawer end table by Stickley, featuring a cross-stretcher base and elegant pierced corner brackets. The table is made from richly grai...
Mahogany
Federal Drop-Leaf Table in Mahogany, circa 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A federal table in mahogany with drop-leaves, on turned legs with large leaf carvings and ending in casters. Offers one drawer with original wooden pull. Note: You should always req...
Mahogany
$6,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 144 in D 35 in
Country American Painted Pine Farmhouse Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large country American farmhouse dining table or harvest table measuring 12 feet long. Crafted from pine featuring a painted base and a...
Pine
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...
Mahogany
Pair of Carved Wood Pineapple Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century round marble top stands featuring conspicuous carved mahogany stylized pineapples over leaves on round wood bases.
Mahogany
18th Century American Walnut Tavern Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly fine Tavern Table with a soft overall feel and excellent color. With a plank constructed overhanging top with dowels and bread board ends. The plain apron with one lon...
Walnut
Lane Vintage MCM Walnut and Burl Side End Table
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of A Vintage Lane MCM...
Brass
19thC Ebonised Scrub Top Pine Farmhouse Table
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1870 19thC Ebonised scrub top pine farmhouse table Thick bleached top with two deep dovetailed drawers sat on stout tapered block legs Measure...
Pine
Teak Burl Side Table
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This teak burl side table was crafted using two different burl wood blocks that are joined at its center. This side table features an elegant wood texture and organic design.
Teak
French Art Deco Burl Walnut Occasional or Side Table
Located in New York City, NY
French Modernist stepped two tier cubist end table in bookmatched walnut. The top surface raised on bull nose plinths, while the bottom tier is supported by alternating curved and sq...
Walnut
18th Century English Tavern Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good 18th C English painted pine tavern table with a scrubbed top. 1790. Dimensions 85.5 inches (217 cms) wide 26 inches (66 cms) deep 29.5 inches (75 cms) high.
Pine
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.5 in W 28 in D 24 in
Milo Baughman Style Burl Walnut Parson Side End Table
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Mid-century modernist burl wood Parsons side/end table in the style of Milo Baughman. The table features a squared-off look with a beautiful deep walnut burl wood veneer. We love usi...
Burl
$1,181
H 20.48 in W 25.2 in D 16.15 in
Lovely Vintage Flamed Hardwood Extending Drop Leaf Side End Table
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Vintage flamed hardwood drop leaf table. A charming and solid piece, the top is slightly discolored on one side of the tabletop, how...
Hardwood
Empire Style Patinated & Gilt Metal Lamp Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Empire Style Verdigris Patinated and Gilt Metal Occasional Table, with beveled glass top above tripod base with lion's paw feet atop a circular support. 23.5" H x 25.25" Diameter. Pr...
Metal
Sold
H 27 in W 17.5 in D 20 in
Vintage Beacon Hill Federal Small Mahogany Dropleaf Pembroke End Tables - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Beacon Hill Federal Style Small Mahogany Dropleaf Pembroke End Tables with Pencil Inlay and Single Dovetailed Drawer - a Pair. Circa Early 2...
Mahogany
Sold
H 23 in W 22 in D 26 in
Fine Oval Banded Top Inlayed Yew Wood Pull Out Tray Side End Table Night Stand
By Hekman Furniture, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fine Oval Banded Top Inlayed Yew Wood Pull Out Tray Side End Table Night Stand
Yew
Antique Mahogany Federal Period Sheraton Two Drawer Stand c. 1820
Located in Westfield, MA
This charming two-drawer stand, dating to circa 1820, exemplifies the elegance of Federal Period design, specifically from the Sheraton style. Crafted from rich mahogany, the piece s...
Mahogany
Sold
H 28.5 in W 22 in D 18.5 in
Antique 19th C. American Federal Crotch Walnut 2 Drawer Side Table Nightstand
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique American Federal Side Table. Made from walnut with two hand dovetailed drawers, turned drawer pulls and crotch walnut veneer front. The table is supported by long squared l...
Walnut
Pair Of Federal Style Mahogany Side Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Each with shaped square tops and rounded corners. Two conforming drawers and raised on reeded tapered legs.
Brass
Pair of Federal Style Mahogany Tripod End Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Vintage Condition Style: American Federal
Mahogany
Two American Mahogany Late Federal Style Side or End Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Two Late Federal Style Side Tables. Mahogany with beautiful New England carved and tapered legs. No drawers. This similar pair were adapte...
Mahogany
Sold
H 28.75 in W 1,725 in D 15.75 in
American Cherry and Mahogany One Drawer Inlaid Stand with Reeded Legs, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal cherry and mahogany one drawer checkered Inlaid stand with a inlaid molded edge top, circular floral brass, satinwood drawer front inlay, and resting on the original...
Brass
Henkel Harris Federal Style Mahogany Nightstands, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Federal or Hepplewhite style nightstands or end tables By Henkel Harris USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with original brass hardware. Measures: 18.13"W x 13...
Brass
Sold
H 29.5 in W 17.5 in D 17 in
Antique Federal Inlaid MOP Mahogany Pembroke Drop Leaf Side Table Sheraton
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique pembroke parlor side accent table. Inspired by Federal & Regency styling, circa 1st quarter 20th century. Made of mahogany featuring inlaid mother of pearl pinwheel medallion...
Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany
Sold
H 34.75 in W 16 in D 16 in
American Cuban Mahogany One Drawer Fluted Side Table with Reeded Legs, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal Cuban mahogany one drawer side table with a hinged top, flanking fluted side columns, lower locking cabinet door, and resting on turned bulbous reeded legs with the ...
Brass