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.
$525Sale Price|30% Off
J&R Furniture Federal Walnut Hexagon Candle Stand Pedestal Table Kettle Plant
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th century Federal inspired candle Stand by J&R Furniture Mfg Co of Salt Lake City Utah. Made from walnut with an inset hexagon top over turned column and tripod bade. Meas...
Walnut
American Cherry Candle Stand
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very interesting American cherry candle stand with exaggerated spider arched legs giving it a contemporary feel.
Cherry
$1,002Sale Price|56% Off
Early American Federal Pole Screen, Mahogany & Maple, c. 1800
Located in Savannah, GA
Mahogany and maple pole screen on a tripod base featuring a center urn, adjustable brass slide and a lead weighted bottom. Stenciled floral motif on screen...
Maple
$998Sale Price|60% Off
Antique Federal Tripod Table, Mahogany, Curved Edge, USA, Early 1800s
Located in Savannah, GA
Unusual rectangular shaped. American tripod table with original working mechanism. The exquisitely grained top is one piece of mahogany and shape...
Mahogany
Chinese Carved Rosewood Plant Stand / Pedestal
Located in San Diego, CA
High quality vintage Chinese carved rosewood plant stand / pedestal, circa 1970s. The stand is in very good vintage condition and measures 11.5...
Rosewood
Oak Art Nouveau Pedestal Table or Plant Stand, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Nouveau pedestal table or plant stand. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Solid oak with original hand-carved elements. This wonderful Art Nouveau pedesta...
Oak
$1,503Sale Price|20% Off
H 52.37 in W 16.54 in D 13.78 in
Antique Adjustable Pole Screen, English, Fireside Shield, Regency, circa 1820
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique adjustable pole screen. An English, rosewood and needlepoint fireside shield, dating to the Regency period, circa 1820. Delightful Regency period craftsmanship ...
Wood
Pair of Bamboo Pedestals / Plant Stands, France, 1960s
Located in ROUEN, FR
Elegant pair of French bamboo pedestals featuring woven cane tops and geometric openwork supports with graceful arched details. Their light, airy construction makes them ideal as pla...
Bamboo
French Style Round Wood Pedestal Table or Plant Stand, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage French style pedestal table. Made of wood with a triangular base that supports turned columns and a round wooden top.
Walnut
$675
H 35.5 in W 12 in D 12 in
Vintage Lane Furniture Asian Inspired Walnut Finish Pedestal / Plant Stand
Located in San Diego, CA
A tall and elegant pedestal plant stand by Lane Furniture, designed to elevate decorative objects both literally and visually. This sculptural form features a square solid wood top w...
Wood
$2,400Sale Price|31% Off
H 39 in W 28.75 in D 39 in
Freeform Sculptural Organic Natural Tree Root Wood Pedestal Plant Stand Table
Located in Wayne, NJ
Large, heavy free form sculptural organic natural tree root wood pedestal, plant stand or tall side table. Two tier ( tiered ). If you are in the New Jers...
Wood
French Late 19th Century Bronze Mounted Pedestal / Table /Plant Stand
Located in New York City, NY
Antique walnut and fruitwood pedestal table with circular top featuring a gallery surround of foliate swag and floral motif ending in tripodal splay leg base. The bronze border is fe...
Fruitwood
$385Sale Price|30% Off
H 19.5 in W 13 in D 10.75 in
Antique English Mahogany Tripod Pedestal Plant Sculpture Candle Stand 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa mid 20th century mahogany candle / plant stand with round top, turned pedestal base and tripod feet. Top screws onto base. Made in England. Dimensions: 10.75" x 13" x 19.5" (W...
Mahogany
Asian Style Small Rosewood Pedestal / Plant Stand
Located in San Diego, CA
Asian Style small rosewood pedestal / plant Stand, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 9"D x 8.5"H. A very attractive and functional piece! #2373.
Rosewood
19th Century Mahogany Wood Pedestal Table
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Early 19th century mahogany wood Regency style pedestal stand / table. The pedestal features hand carved design details resting on a squared based. The pedestal table is in good anti...
Mahogany
Gilded Hand-Carved Italian Figural Tripod Table of Putto, Circa 1780
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautifully carved and gilded tripod accent table of Putto with lovely detail.
Giltwood
Federal Style Mahogany Circular Reeded Pedestal
Located in Astoria, NY
Federal Style Mahogany Circular Reeded Pedestal, with black slate top. 44" H x 12" Diameter. Provenance: From a Park Avenue Collection.
Mahogany
American, 18th Century, Birdcage Tilt Top Table Probably Philadelphia, Ca. 1780
Located in Vero Beach, FL
American 18th century birdcage tilt top table probably Philadelphia ca. 1780. Very fine American mahogany tilt top table. The top is support...
Mahogany
Antique Federal Era Solid Mahogany Pedestal or Fern Stand
Located in Peabody, MA
An American Federal era columnar pedestal in solid mahogany circa early 1800s. The top surface diameter is 9.25".
Mahogany
Small Square American Two-Tier Nightstand Or Plant Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small square American two-tier nightstand or plant stand
Wood
American Federal Mahogany Pedestal Drum Table, Boston, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal mahogany two-drawer drum table with the original brass pulls, turned bulbous pedestal and terminating on acanthus carved saber legs with the original lions paw brass...
Brass