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.
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Collection Federal Mahogany Game Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style game table or tea table By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston Collection" USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetry. M...
Mahogany, Satinwood
1920s Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Federal Style Fold-Top Console or Game Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th century Mahogany and satinwood Inlaid Federal style Fold-Top Console or Card Table in very good antique condition. Measures 36" in width, 17.5" in depth folded and 35" ...
Mahogany
American Federal Games/Card Table with Tobacco Leaf Carvings, Baltimore, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A lovely Federal card table in fine mahogany with hinged rectangular top pivoting and opening to a square supported by a turned column with tobacco leaf carvings over a round base with carved knurling reminiscent of pineapples. Four "C" shaped legs are reeded and rest on brass lion claw...
Brass
American Federal Center Pedestal Games Table, circa 1815
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exceptionally handsome and very well crafted classical Philadelphia Federal games table in premium mahogany with turned and finely carved pedes...
Mahogany
American Federal Bostonian Game Table , circa 1815
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A fine Boston Federal game table in mahogany with fire gilded bronze doré ormolu mounts in the corners of the apron and original brass paw foot casters. Carving is well articulated and form is reminiscent of Federal Boston cabinet maker Isaac Vose...
Brass, Ormolu
Federal Boston Lyre Games Table Attrib. Thomas Seymour & Thomas Wightman, c 1815
By Thomas Seymour
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very fine Federal card table attributable to renown Boston cabinetmaker, Thomas Seymour (1771-1848) with carvings likely by Thomas Wightman (1759-1827), Boston, circa 1815. The top...
Brass
Antique Federal Hepplewhite Tiger Maple Game Table c. 1830
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique Federal Hepplewhite Game Table, circa 1830, features a striking facade of tiger maple, renowned for its vibrant grain and luminescent quality, while the remainder of the...
Maple
George III Satinwood Inlaid Mahogany Serpentine Fold Top Game Table 19th Century
Located in Germantown, MD
George III Satinwood Inlaid Mahogany Serpentine Fold-Top Game Table Console Table. Measures 36" in width, 17.75" in depth folded, 35.5" in depth open and 31" in height.
Mahogany, Satinwood
Extraordinary Pair of Fine Period Federal Inlaid Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very rare and extraordinary Pair of Antique Inlaid Consoles from New England and saiid to be from the Boston area. Exquisite construction with D shaped tops and fine string inlays on the apron panels and Curly Maple inlaid panels in the center and diamond shapes on the tops of the legs. Raised on square tapering legs with string inlays. Provenance: The Table Pair were previously owned by the American Actress Dina Merrill...
Mahogany, Maple
Fine Federal Period Sheraton Mahogany Card or Gaming Table circa 1800
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal Period, Sheraton mahogany card or gaming table with turret corners, checkered inlay around the folding top edge, a shaped frieze with an oval patera, all ...
Brass
American Mahogany and Cherry Stenciled Gilt Hinged Game Table, PA. Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany and cherry hinged game table with a one board top, central carved floral basket, stenciled gilt turned ringed center column, and resting on scrolled acanthu...
Brass
Antique Solid Mahogany c1920s 30" Square Game Dining Table MINT
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique Solid Mahogany c1920s 30" Square Game Dining Table MINT
Mahogany
Theodore Alexander One Drawer Leather Top Folding Top Game Table MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Theodore Alexander One Drawer Leather Top Folding Top Game Table MINT
Leather, Mahogany
Fine Olive Green Leather Top Faux Bamboo Legs Flip Game Dining Table MINT
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fine Olive Green Leather Top Faux Bamboo Legs Flip Game Dining Table MINT
Leather, Faux Bamboo
An Early Federal Mahogany and Satinwood Game Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A beautiful federal period game table with nicely shaped top. The flame mahogany, with graceful satinwood inlay with hand carved capitols over the tapered fluted legs. The table wi...
Mahogany, Satinwood
$4,800 / set
Near-Pair Set of American Federal Card Tables
Located in New York, NY
A set of two Federal mahogany folding card tables. Handcrafted circa 1825. They are a near-identical pair with the legs varying slightly in...
Mahogany
Queen Anne Games Table Card Walnut
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A rather unusual Queen Anne style games table This games table is raised upon cabriole legs with pad feet and carved shells to the knees Circa 1900 The green leather top of the table...
Walnut
English Edwardian Folding Games Table
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine and unusual games table is of rare form, circa 1900 and 1910, is made of mahogany and deal secondaries. The brass fittings have all been chrome-plated, a feature usually re...
Mahogany
Louis XVI Style Travertine Top Dining Table or Game Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant French Louis XVI style square dining table or game table featuring an Italian travertine top. The square stone top measures nearly 1 inch thick and is supported by a carved beech base with neoclassical style rosettes on the corners. The table has reeded edges and a lovely cerused or glazed finish that beautifully accents the travertine. The long slender legs are reeded and end with toupie feet. Perfect as a Mah Jong table...
Travertine
George III Mahogany Games Table
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular top with drop leaves and sliding game board opening to a backgammon surface over a false and working drawers, raised on square tapered legs. Casters.
Mahogany
Ebonized Eastlake Games Table
Located in Huntington, NY
Ebonized Eastlake games table.
Wood
$3,450
H 29 in W 34 in D 34 in
Vintage Game Table With Leather Top by Baker Furniture "Collectors Edition"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Vintage Game Table With Leather Top by Baker Furniture "Collectors Edition" - a timeless masterpiece that seamlessly combin...
Leather, Wood
Custom Walnut Game Table with Ebony Backgammon and Chess Table
Located in New York, NY
Custom walnut and mahogany backgammon table that converts to chess with a slide out board. New production. Made to order in walnut and mahogany. Designed and made in NYC, each tab...
Walnut
Fine French Art Deco Game / Occasional Table by Rinck
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rinck - established in 1841 and directed by Maurice Rinck in the Art Deco / mid-century period. A fine game / tea table in elm with a reversible top (wood on one side and felt on the other) with four tapered legs and chrome cup...
Chrome
Art Deco Mahogany Game Table
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
The square hinged handkerchief top rotating open to reveal a felt interior, the shaped frieze with one drawer, the whole with ormolu-mounts. Closed...
Ormolu
$3,042
H 29 in W 36 in D 18 in
Liberty & Co. an Anglo-Moorish Arts & Crafts Walnut Fold over Card & Games Table
Located in London, GB
By Liberty & Co, a fold-over games and card table in walnut aligned to the Arts and Crafts movement (1880–1910), c.1890s. The top opens to a green baize playing surface. Below, a Moo...
Walnut
19th Century Rosewood Game, Card Table
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a rosewood game, card table made in England, circa 1850. The top has rounded corners and a nicely molded edge. The top spins open to reveal storage for game pieces, cards, et...
Rosewood
$3,475
H 29.75 in W 34 in D 34 in
Antique American Empire Pedestal Console, Card / Games Table in Flame Mahogany
Located in Germantown, MD
Antique American Empire fold-up console table, card / games table in West Indies flame Mahogany with pedestal and storage area on original wheels. Measures 34" in width x 34" in dept...
Hardwood, Mahogany
Fruitwood Fold Top Game Table. Early 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
This antique fold-top game table is a charming and functional piece from the early 1800s. It is crafted from beautifully aged fruitwood, displaying a warm, naturally rich patina tha...
Fruitwood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 36.25 in D 18 in
Antique Sheraton Federal Acanthus Carved Mahogany Serpentine Game Table C1830
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Sheraton Federal Carved Mahogany Serpentine Game Table w...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 36 in D 17 in
Baker Furniture Federal Mahogany and Satinwood Flip-Top Console or Game Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style flip-top console or game table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with beautiful satinwood banding and inlaid marquetry. Measur...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Round Showcase Display Glass Lid Compartment Side End Table Compartment MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Round Showcase Display Glass Lid Compartment Side End Table Compartment MINT!
Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 42 in D 20.5 in
New England Federal Mahogany and Birdseye Maple Inlaid Card or Gaming Table
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal mahogany card or gaming table with central oval patera, birdseye maple veneer frieze, astragal corners, a checkered border edge, tapered square legs with ...
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
Sold
H 30 in W 32.75 in D 18 in
Antique American Federal Empire Serpentine Flame Mahogany Game Console Table
Located in Dayton, OH
"Antique Federal Period flip top game table or entry console, circa 1820. Features a serpentine form made from flame mahogany with cross banding, matchbook veneer, burled panels and...
Mahogany
Federal Style Rosewood Game Table with Satinwood Marquetry 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French style game table retailed by Conley's of Buffalo offers rosewood construction with shaped top having gilt decorated leather covering, ...
Rosewood, Satinwood
Federal Style Gate-Leg Games Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Federal style gate-leg games table, the shaped top above a serpentine inlaid front with burlwood inlay, the whole above turned reeded tapering legs. 29.75" H x 35" W x 18" D.
Wood
Sold
H 28.5 in W 36.25 in D 17.75 in
Early 19th Century Antique American Federal Mahog. & Birch Flap-Top Games Table
By John & Thomas Seymour
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
This is a spectacular antique American Federal New England period highly figured mahogany and satin birch Flap-top serpentine Games or Card Table in the manner of the workshop of Joh...
Mahogany, Rosewood, Birch
18th Century American Federal Period Mahogany Flip-Top Table
Located in Forney, TX
A period mahogany flip-top card games table, finely handcrafted in the late 18th / possibly early 19th century, believed Maryland or Philadelphia. Born during the time the British Colonies won their indepence from England and became the United States of America, this scare, gracefully elegant table features a well shaped hinged top, curved concave center frieze, single drawer with original wood pulls, hand carved dovetail joinery, contrasting satinwood string inlay, decorative border of satinwood and ebony banding inlay, a wooden hinged rear leg swings out to become a support when the table is extended, all rising on tapered square legs. Circa 1780-1810 Rich antique mahogany color with warm tones, beautiful grain and elegantly aged patina over the whole. Dimensions: (approx) 29.5"H, 27.25"W, 13"D, extended: 26.25"D Provenance: The Veazey family was a prominent fixture of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The initial immigrant ancestor was John Veazey, who settled on two tracts of land in Cecil County in the late seventeenth century. Thomas Ward Veazey was born on January 31, 1774 at the family estate Cherry Grove...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 19th Century American Flip-Top Games Table
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning early 19th century American Southern cherry-wood flip-top games table. Likely originating in South Carolina, circa 1820, hand-crafted, the Federal period antique having a ...
Cherry
Sold
H 30 in W 35.5 in D 17.5 in
Good American Federal Boston Satinwood Inlaid Mahogany Game Table, Circa 1820
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
A good Boston area Federal mahogany gate leg card table with shaped front and sides. The skirt is inlaid with rosewood banded delicately figured s...
Brass