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
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, 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
$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 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
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
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
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
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 Western Landscape Oil Painting
By Albert Bierstadt
Located in Northport, MI
Transport yourself to the unspoiled American wilderness with this striking 19th-century oil painting, evocative of the Hudson River School and reminiscent of the dramatic vistas capt...
Canvas, Wood
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
$2,414 / set
H 14.57 in W 12.41 in D 0.4 in
Pair Framed 19th Century Chinese School Portrait Paintings Court Figures
Located in London, GB
Two Chinese paintings of figures in court dress 19th century, opaque pigments on paper, each depicting a figure wearing robes decorated with dragon motifs on yellow-grounds. Pr...
Paper
"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
$425
H 10.25 in W 13.25 in D 3 in
Antique Oil on Board Painting Gilt Framed American Landscape 19th C. 10" x 13"
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique American Romantic landscape oil painting on board depicting a pond or river amidst a forest with a mountain and clouds in the distance. Nicely done with balanced composition ...
Wood
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
$2,371Sale 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
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
English Country Horse and Jockey Painting, Gilt Frame, 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
English Country style gilt framed oil painting of horse and jockey wearing blue shirt
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
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