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.
19th Century Federal Style Console Tables, Mahogany, Opposing Eagles, Marble
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of 19th Century Federal Eagle Carved Console Tables, Marble Tops, Carved Solid Wood These tables, with their elaborate boule inlays, sculptural eagles, and opulent materials, w...
Marble
Kittinger Solid Mahogany Figural Top Side End Table Stand MINT
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Kittinger Solid Mahogany Figural Top Side End Table Stand MINT
Mahogany
Federal Flame Mahogany Banded Serpentine Front 6 Legged Console Table MINT!
By Baker Furniture Company, Smith & Watson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Federal Flame Mahogany Banded Serpentine Front 6 Legged Console Table MINT!
Walnut
Louis XVI Style Marble Top Console Table
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI Style marble top console table. This 1940’s American piece is fully restored in a light bubble gum lacquer finish with ori...
Marble
Sculptural Side Table Solid Mango Wood, Carved Detailing
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural round side table with a wonderful hand-carved design on its exterior. Its neutral pigment and subtle wood texture makes it perfect for any space. A uniquely ...
Wood, Fruitwood
$2,495
H 29.75 in W 36 in D 17 in
1920s Federal Style Satinwood Inlaid Flame Mahogany Serpentine Card Table
Located in Germantown, MD
1920s Federal style satinwood inlaid flame mahogany serpentine card table in good antique condition. Very sturday. Measures 36" in width, 17" in depth when closed and 34" open and st...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Romweber Federal Flame Mahogany Demilune Console Table, Circa 1920s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal or Hepplewhite style demilune cabinet, chest of drawers, or console table By Romweber USA, Circa 1920s Stunning book-matched flame mahogany, with original b...
Brass
Mid-Century Neoclassical Style Lacquered Marble Top Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning Mid-Century Modern lacquered console table featuring a Carrara marble top. Made in France in the neoclassical taste having a parcel gilt decorated case. Fronted by two stora...
Carrara Marble, Brass
19th Century Carved Oak Console Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak console table from England with a wonderfully detailed hand carved backsplash over the top of the table, which has a beveled and car...
Oak
Sculptural Side Table Solid Mango Wood, Burnt Finish
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural round side table. Its rich black pigment was achieved through burning the wood three times. Its neutral pigment and subtle wood texture makes it perfect for ...
Wood, Fruitwood
$2,795
H 29.88 in W 39 in D 17 in
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Federal Mahogany Console or Entry Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style console or entry table By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetry. Me...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Baker Historic Charleston Mahogany Demilune Serpentine Front Table
Located in Toledo, OH
Beautiful Baker serpentine front mahogany Demilune table with satinwood inlays and bell flower design inlays on the legs. Very good condition, with minor top wear. 39" wide x 30" hig...
Mahogany
Sculptural Side Table Crafted from Solid Teak Wood
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This side table was crafted from a single block of teak wood. A wonderfully sculptural round side table. Its neutral pigment and subtle wood texture makes it perfect for any space. I...
Teak
English Console or Sofa Table of Mahogany on Turned Legs
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome English console or sofa table of mahogany, from the late 19th century, featuring a rectangular moulded top over a frieze of four turned baluster legs.
Mahogany, Wood
Sculptural Side Table Solid Mango Wood, Burnt Finish
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural round side table. Its rich black pigment was achieved through burning the wood three times. Its neutral pigment and subtle wood texture makes it perfect for ...
Wood, Fruitwood
Sold
H 32 in W 55 in D 15 in
Pair of Mahogany Demi Lune Banded Inlayed Glass Tops Console Sofa Tables Mint!
By Baker Furniture Company, Maitland Smith
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mahogany Demi Lune Banded Inlayed glass tops console sofa tables MINT! comes with glass tops.
Mahogany
Sold
H 32.5 in W 48 in D 12.5 in
Maitland Smith Federal Carved Mahogany Leather Top Console or Sofa Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal style bow front console table or sofa table By Maitland Smith Late 20th Century Carved mahogany, with embossed leat...
Leather, Mahogany
Hepplewhite Federal Style Antique Two Drawers Console Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Two drawers antiques dovetails Federal style mahogany console sofa table.
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.75 in W 39 in D 17 in
Baker Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Console or Entry Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style console or entry table By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetr...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Sold
H 29.75 in W 39.13 in D 17 in
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Mahogany Console Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal style console or entry table By Baker Furniture "Historic Charleston Collection", USA, circa 1980s Mahogany, with inl...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Round Walnut Inlay Top Lamp Table Stand Gueridon Two Drawers
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Federal style fluted base inlay top lamp breakfast table with two drawers.
Walnut
Sold
H 33.75 in W 43.75 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Regency Style Brass Inlaid Rosewood Parcel-Gilt and Marble Consoles
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of Regency style brass inlaid rosewood parcel-gilt and marble consoles. Each green marble rectangular top above an egg-and-dart-carved e...
Sold
H 34 in W 43.5 in D 15.5 in
Pair of 19th Century Federal Style Gilt Opposing Eagle Console Tables
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of 19th century Federal style gilt opposing eagle console tables. Simply the finest consoles of this style on the market. The wonderfully all wooden gilt carved eagles opposing ...