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
Duke of Wellington Portrait, Hand-Painted, Late 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Copy of a portrait painting titled "Duke of Wellington" showing him in red military uniform
Paint
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
Early 19th-Century American Oil Portrait of William Roebuck – Sears Roebuck Fami
Located in Seaford, GB
# Early 19th-Century American Oil Portrait of William Roebuck – Sears Roebuck Family Connection **American School Circa 1800–1825 Oil Painting** An attractive and historically fa...
Canvas
20th Century American Federal Portrait Painting in Gilt Frame
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal gilt framed oil portrait painting of man in black holding large white paper
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
20th Century American Federal Print: Officer Silhouette Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
American Federal print portrait in silhouette of a gentleman in a distressed gold frame
Paper
Pair of 19th Century Oil Painting Portraits, Gilt Framed, American
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of gilt framed oil painting portraits of a 19th Century man and lady.
Canvas
Hand-Painted Portrait of Puccini, Federal Style, Late 20th Century
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
Mughal Print in Gilt Frame, Rajasthan Style, Mid-20th Century
By Rajhastani
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Mughal print after a 16th century Indian hand painting in wood gilt frame. Indian Mughal School, illuminated India Rajasthan Indian Mughal School, illumi...
Paper
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
19th Century American Oil Painting of a Gentleman
Located in Water Mill, NY
19th century American portrait of a gentleman in a wood frame.
Canvas
$2,290Sale 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
"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
Painting of a Nude Woman, American Mid 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Oil on canvas painting of a nude woman, unframed. Very good colors and composition. Signed Ritman on the back stretcher, early to mid-20th century, American.
Canvas
$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
Oil on Board Portrait of a Donkey, 20th Century
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Oil on board painting depicting a donkey in a frontal portrait. The work features expressive brushstrokes and a palette of earth tones, ochre, and black, contrasted against a light b...
Wood, Paint
$2,750
H 39.25 in W 23.75 in
Clement Haupers 1940s Double-Sided Oil Painting, Male Model and Female Nude
By Clement Haupers
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This is a striking double-sided oil on board by Clement “Clem” Haupers (1900–1982), dating to the 1940s, featuring a seated male model on one side and a female nude on the reverse. T...
Paint, Particle Board
$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
English Country Horse and Jockey Painting, Gilt Frame, 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style gilt framed oil painting of horse (Silvo) and jockey wearing purple shirt (signed)
Paint
$5,800
H 26.88 in W 22.5 in D 3 in
Early American Late 19th Early 20th Century Folk Art Painting in Tramp Art Frame
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Exceptional and never before seen Early American folk art oil painting. The scene appears to depict a man telling a woman bad news, presumably of her husband's passing. The subject p...
Wood, Paint
$3,435
H 28.35 in W 23.51 in D 3.15 in
Oil on Canvas, Empire Portrait of a Woman, Early 19th Century, Palmette Frame
Located in NANTES, FR
**Oil on Canvas, Empire Portrait of a Woman, Early 19th Century, Palmette Frame This oil on canvas depicts a 19th-century woman, typical of the Empire period. She wears earrings an...
Wood, Paper
$680
H 14.57 in W 13.78 in D 1.58 in
Early 20th Century Danish Winter Landscape Oil on Board in Gilt Frame
Located in Ebberup, DK
A restrained and atmospheric Danish winter landscape executed in oil on board, likely dating from the early decades of the 20th century. The composition depicts a snow-covered countr...
Canvas, Paint
American School Portrait of a Federalist Gentleman C. 1825-1845
Located in Atlanta, GA
An intimate early 19th-century oil on canvas portrait of an unidentified gentleman, probably American School, circa 1825–1845, presented bust-length within a painted oval reserve and...
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
Sold
H 20 in W 25.5 in D 1.75 in
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 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