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.
American Needlework Sampler by Maria Morris, 1827
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique American Needlework Sampler by Maria Morris, 1827, a needlework sampler on linen panel having alphabet and numerals, above a religi...
Thread, Linen
18th Century Antique Federal Arch Top Transom Window, Blown Glass
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rescued from an estate outside of Boston, MA this antique arch top transom window adds an architectural feast to your space. The window has its original...
Blown Glass, Wood
19th Century English Country Diorama Wall Plaque in Federal Style
Located in Queens, NY
American Country style (19th Century) painted diorama wall plaque with clipper ship and American ship painted on back in mahogany frame encased in a wood and glass case.
Glass
American Federal Silhouettes of Livingston Family Members
Located in New York, NY
Snipping a profile from paper with scissors, and mounting the result to a contrasting sheet of paper, became a popular diversion among the European and American upper classes in the ...
Paper
Early Georgian Needlework Picture
Located in Greenwich, CT
An George I English needlework picture depicting musicians, maidens, dogs and ducks in the grounds of an estate with detailed renderings of flora an...
Textile
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 54 in D 1.75 in
Early 20th Century Antique Beveled Glass Transom Window in a Wood Frame
Located in Stamford, CT
Early 20th century leaded and beveled glass transom window in the original wood frame. The beveled glass window was salvaged from an estate in Pittsburgh PA. Nice clean straight line...
Glass, Wood
Fishing Trophy Wooden Plaques 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Fishing trophy wooden plaques 19th century Fishing trophy 19th century wooden plaques Two hand carved wooden plaques with 19th century fishing trophi...
Fruitwood
Elizabeth Wurts American Family Record Needlework Sampler, Dated 1837
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elizabeth Wurts American Family Record Needlework Sampler, Dated 1837 An American embroidered family-record sampler signed Elizabeth Wurts and dated 1837, probably New Paltz, Ulster...
Wool, Silk, Walnut, Giltwood
$1,500
H 14 in W 34 in D 1 in
Late 19th Century Stained Glass Transom Window with Jewels and a Beveled Glass.
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century stained glass transom window with jewels, beveled and textured clear glass. Two small pieces shown in the photos have double glazing like Tiffany used in his window...
Stained Glass, Wood
Antique Stained Glass Window Transom 42"x22"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long 3 1/2 foot transom window with stained glass designs. Textured clear glass keep your privacy, while the green hues create a soft border. In the center is a shield and floral emb...
Stained Glass
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 37 in W 116 in D 2.5 in
Large Antique Arched Transom Palladian Window in a Oak Frame Early 20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Large antique Palladian Transom Window in a oak frame with frosted glass panels. This multi panel window in a oak frame was salvaged from a New Haven Ct estate. It is a spectacular w...
Glass, Hardwood
Stained Glass Transom Window 52"x19"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stained glass transom window from the turn of the century. Beautiful leaded design with colored glass. Currently housed in a temporary wooden frame - the...
Stained Glass
Antique 19th Century Stained Glass Transom Window
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique stained glass transom window in its original wood frame. This is a beautiful antique stained glass window with colors that...
Glass, Wood
$4,060Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 73.75 in W 51 in D 2 in
Pair of Antique Victorian Art Nouveau Leaded Stained Glass Windows Arch Transom
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite pair of 19th century leaded stained glass windows. Features a large rectangular frame with arched area beneath a transom that opens via hinge to allow fresh air in. Each...
Stained Glass
Neoclassical Style 20th Century Plaster Wall Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed neoclassical plaster wall plaque with a stunning painted matte black frame. In a large landscape form, this handcrafted plaque is decorated in relief depicting a romantic scene of cherubs or putti accompanied by a dog while they gather around a fire in an enchanted woodland...
Plaster, Wood
$4,500
H 24 in W 6 in D 39 in
Antique Victorian Era Architectural Stained Glass Arched Overdoor Transom Window
Located in Forney, TX
A most charming original French Victorian era framed stained glass overdoor fanlight window, with a combination of richly colored panels, cathedral roll textured surfaces and multipl...
Stained Glass, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 16 in W 37 in D 0.5 in
Syroco Mid Century Gold Gilt Federal American Bald Eagle Wall Plaque 37"
Located in Dayton, OH
A very large mid century Hollywood Regency golden heraldic eagle wall hanging plaque. Made of a resin composition featuring a spread wing Federal style American Bald Eagle with branc...
Resin
Vintage Federal American Brass Eagle Hanging Wall Plaque
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine vintage Mid-Century Federal American brass eagle hanging wall plaque. This regal eagle is a nice large size and heavy with outstretched win...
Brass
Sold
H 11.75 in W 22.75 in D 1 in
Pair of 18th Century American Federal Period Carved Fan Shaped Lintels
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful pair of fan shaped late 18th century American Federal period lintels or over doors with exquisitely detailed carving. The distressed painted surface adds a lot of character...
Wood
English Traditional Framed Ceramic Horse Plates, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of English Traditional ceramic equestrian horse plates. Each plate is ceramic and features a horse with a bridle at the center. One of the animals i...
Metal
Sold
H 34.25 in W 1.5 in D 29.25 in
Antique 19th Century Oil Painting on Board Naval Officer Portrait Maritime
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique oil on board portrait painting depicting a 19th century naval officer. The gentleman is in front of the sea with boats in the background to the left. Measures: 29.25” x 1....
Canvas, Paint
Sold
H 32.5 in W 1.25 in D 26.75 in
Major John Biddle Portrait After Thomas Sully '1783-1872' Print on Board
By Thomas Sully
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage print on board of Thomas Sully’s 1818 portrait of Major John Biddle; original painting is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “Major John Biddle...
Masonite
Sold
H 22.75 in W 17 in D 3.25 in
Italian Pair Federal-Style Eagle Wall Decorations with Mirror Centers
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian pair of Federal-style carved wood eagle wall decorations with mirrors from the mid-20th century. This vintage pair of wall plaques from...
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 28 in W 21 in D 1 in
Pair of Original Hand Colored McKenney & Hall Lithographs of American Indians
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of folio size original hand colored lithographs of American Indians, created by Thomas McKenney and James Hall based on oil paintings by Charles Bird King(1785-1862) for their three volume set ''History of the Indian Tribes of North America'' (1837-44). The full body portrait of the Chippeway Chief, Okee-Makee-Quid, depicts him wearing a multi colored headdress and a blue tunic over black leggings:, with face mask resting on his chest, and holding a staff in one hand and a pipe in the other. The half-length portrait of the Shawnee Chief, Qua-Ta-Wa-Pea (or Col. Lewis, as he liked to be called) shows him in red hat, and grey-green cape...
Paper
American Federal Style Eagle and Flag Emboidery
Located in Queens, NY
American (19th Century) Federal style quilted silk embroidery of an eagle with a stars-and-stripes shield and flags with the motto: "e pluribus unum" in a wood frame.
Silk, Thread, Wood