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.
19 th C English Oil on Canvas Painting of Horse and Jockey
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English 19 th century oil on canvas of horse and jockey painting in carved gilt wood frame. This 19th c English oil on canvas is a 19 th c...
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
$22,500 / set
Pair of American Federal Male and Female Portraits
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American 19th Century gilt framed oil painting portraits of lady holding book and man with white rolled up paper
Paint
Pair of American Federal Male and Female Oil Painting Portraits
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of gilt framed oil painting portraits of a 19th Century man and lady.
Canvas
Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 19th Century Portrait of Naval Captain William Compton Bolton (Anglo-American: 1799 - 1849), circa 1830s, an oil on canvas half-length portrait of a sea captain holding a spygl...
Canvas
Duke of Wellington Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Copy of a portrait painting titled "Duke of Wellington" showing him in red military uniform
Paint
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Reverse Painting on Glass of George and Martha Washington by W. M. Prior
By William Matthew Prior
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th century reverse painted on glass portrait of George and Martha Washington by William Matthew Prior (1806 - 1873), one of New England'...
Glass
American Federal Side Portrait of an Officer
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal print portrait in silhouette of a gentleman in a distressed gold frame
Paper
American Federal Man in Black Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal gilt framed oil portrait painting of man in black holding large white paper
Paint
Portrait Puccini Painting
Located in Queens, NY
Copy of a portrait painting titled "Portrait Puccini" showing woman in black dress with white lace rummaging through jewelry chest
Paint
Set of 3 Italian Neo-Classic Engraved Prints of Medals with White Carved Coin
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 3 Italian Neo-classic style (19th Century) engraved prints of metals over a single white pariu carved coin with a classical bust in a silver/gilt frame (Prov: Christies NY) (P...
Metal
Portrait of a Woman
Located in Seattle, WA
Delicate colors and a serene pose come together for a compelling portrait of a woman seated, hands folded, gazing left. This piece is unsigned and undated. Oil on board.
Canvas
Early 19th Century Oil Portrait of a Handsome Young Man
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 19th century oil portrait of a handsome young man An original painting of a young man wearing his best suit of clothes. Original oil on ...
Canvas
"Arms Raised", Striking Portrait of Nude Male Youth by Jarl, Denmark
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking combination of realism and abstraction, this portrait of a nude male youth with his arms behind his neck -- Stanley Christensen -- is beautifully expressed in tones of cha...
Paint
Oil Painting on Canvas English Landscape, 19th Century, Signed
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this splendid oil painting on canvas of the English school, 19th century. The painting has a signature on the lower left but the artist has not been identified and the pai...
Canvas
$1,425
H 16.25 in W 24.5 in D 1.75 in
Contemporary Figurative Portrait, Expressive Female Headwrap Oil Painting
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A compelling contemporary figurative portrait defined by its psychological intensity and masterful use of color. The subject, rendered in warm ochres and umber tones, gazes outward f...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
$5,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 25 in W 21 in D 3 in
Early 19th Century English Pair of Regency Period Portraits
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 19th Century English Pair of Regency Period Portraits. Full length portraits of a husband and wife in a household setting oil on wood panel. Bot...
Wood, Paint
$2,100
H 14.75 in W 11.75 in D 0.1 in
"Toltec, " Important Sketch for Art Deco Painting with Male and Female Nudes
By John Garth
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This stylized and richly-colored, almost cinematic, depiction of a nude Toltec male youth by John Garth shows the figure holding a knife and chalice, hinting at human sacrifice, stan...
Paint
$2,373Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.52 in W 22.84 in D 1.19 in
Oil Painting on Canvas English Landscape, Late 19th Century
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this splendid oil on canvas painting from the English school dating back to the end of the 19th century. The painting has a signature on the lower right but the author has...
Canvas
19th Century American Portraits
Located in Water Mill, NY
Pair of American, 19th century Sag Harbor portraits in original giltwood frames (size includes frame).
Canvas
Folk Art Tropical Painting on Canvas
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming acrylic painting on canvas of a group of colorful figures in a tropical setting executed in a naive style. Signed Osnel in the lower right and presented in the original wood...
Paint
American 19th c. Oil Portrait of a Gentleman, c.1800s
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A 19th century oil portrait on canvas of a gentleman. Unsigned. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1800s. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Oil on Canvas. Unframed. ...
Wood, Paint
19th Century Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Dublin, IE
A gorgeous 19th Century oil on canvas painting depicting a figural pastoral scene featuring a shepherd with his dog and flock of sheep within an exquisite mountain landscape with lus...
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Portrait of George Washington, by William Matthew Prior, circa 1840s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Portrait of George Washington, by William Matthew Prior (American: 1806 - 1873), circa 1840s, an oil on board quarter-length portrait of ...
Wood
Limner Portrait of Young Gentleman, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A limner portrait of a young gentleman, early 19th Century. Oil on canvas in egg and dart frame. Canvas: 8 ½ by 10 ½ inches Frame: 13 ½ by 15 ¾ inches
Canvas, Wood, Paint
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
Antique Ebonized and Gilt Églomisé Federal Wall Mirror, circa 1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique federal trumeau wall mirror offers ebonized and gilt column-form frame with hand painted églomisé upper panel depicting figures fishing by and lake, circa 1880 Measures...
Mirror, Wood
American Naïve Portrait of a Gentleman, circa 1830
Located in San Francisco, CA
American nai¨ve portrait of a gentleman. Oil on canvas. Bird's-eye maple period frame. Old re-lined reinforced canvas. Frame dimensions: width: 24 inches x height: 27 inches. Late Fe...
Birdseye Maple