Federal Furniture
FEDERAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Federal
Jewel Tone Fine Quality Antique Persian Malayer Narrow Horizontal Woven Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century horizontally handwoven Persian Malayer rug with a green field, accents in red and gold
Measures: 1'7" x 4'3".
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
Brass Andirons with Urn Finials and Pad Feet, Circa 1920s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0547
A pair of antique brass andirons topped with urn finials and having pad feet in their original soft polished finish. Circa 1920s.
Dimensions:
Overall: 24-1/2" H. x 11" W....
Category
1920s Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Iron, Brass
Brass and Blackened Wrought Iron Knife Blade Andirons, Circa 1900s
Located in New York, NY
AFP0539
A pair of antique 18th century style wrought iron andirons with full round brass details atop knife blade bodies, circa 1900s.
Dimensions:
Overall...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Early American Stenciled Tiger Maple Pole Screen
Located in Savannah, GA
Mahogany and maple pole screen on a tripod base featuring a center urn, adjustable brass slide and a lead weighted bottom. Stenciled floral motif on screen...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Two Arm Shield Back Sconces in Silver Plate by Bradley & Hubbard, Circa 1910s
Located in New York, NY
AIS2736
A pair of double light sconces in silverplate over brass having shield form backplates. Signed by the maker Bradley and Hubbard. Circa 1910s.
Dimensions:
Overall: 13-1/4" h....
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Stunning Room Size Traditional Rust Abrash Antique Persian Sarouk Ferehan Rug
Located in New York, NY
Beautifl abrashes highlight this early 20th century Antique Persian Sarouk Ferehan. Rust Background with pretty shades in predominant blue and brown accents
Measures: 8'7'' x 11'7...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Federal Furniture
Materials
Wool
American 19th Century Brass Fender
Located in Southampton, NY
American 19th Century Brass Fender
Category
Early 19th Century North American Antique Federal Furniture
American Mahogany and Cherry Stenciled Gilt Hinged Game Table, PA. Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal mahogany and cherry hinged game table with a one board top, central carved floral basket, stenciled gilt turned ringed center column, and resting on scrolled acanthu...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th C American Dolphin Giltwood Sconces
Located in Charleston, SC
A pair of dolphin sconces made of carved wood gilt featuring two candle arms. Dolphin-form items are rare and highly demanded among collector's.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
American Federal Gilt and Ebonized Dolphin Foliage Convex Mirror. Circa 1800
By A. Belokopytoff
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal gilt carved wood convex mirror with a perched intertwined dolphin on a rocky ledge, ebonized reeded banding, circular ball m...
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Glass, Wood, Ebony, Giltwood
A Federal Mahogany Mirror with Eagle Motif, American ca. 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Federal Mahogany Mirror with Gilt Eagle Crest and Bronze Dore Accents.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage American Eagle Bookends by Baldwin Brass
By Baldwin Brass
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Offered is a set of vintage brass eagle bookends. Each bookend depicts a wingspread eagle clutching a bundle of arrows in its left talon and an olive branch in the right talon. When ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Wellington Hall Federal Inlaid Flame Mahogany Console or Entry Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style console table, sofa table, or entry table
By Wellington Hall
USA, Circa 1980s
Flame mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetry.
Measures: 4...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 19th Century Store Display American Crca 1800-1810
Located in Hudson, NY
This is an incredibly rare piece. Made from Pine with the original dark green paint. Originally used as a store display in the early 19th century. With swollen baluster turnings, cup...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Large Brass Hexagon Shape Lantern Chandelier 9 Light Beveled Glass
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Gorgeous Large Brass Hexagon Shape Lantern Chandelier 9 Light Beveled Glass
Dimensions : 44" Tall X 22" Wide X 22" Deep
This lantern has beveled glass and is stunning! It has 9 lig...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Monumental Over 4 FT Tall 12 Light Brass & Glass Chandelier Lantern
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Monumental Over 4 FT Tall 12 Light Brass & Glass Chandelier Lantern
Dimensions : 56" Tall X 28.5" Wide X 28.5" Deep
This lantern is monumental perfect for an entry way!
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage American Bald Eagle Brass Bookends a Pair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage American Bald Eagle Brass Bookends a Pair
Beautiful detail on this 1950s pair of American Bald eagle head bookends.
Nice set of large brass American Bald Eagle bookends.
This...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Beacon Hill-Old Colony Collection Sideboard
By Beacon Hill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A mahogany sideboard tagged by the Beacon Hill, Old Colony Collection. This piece is fashioned out of beautiful flame mahogany with a glossy finish and features ebonized columns with...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Pine Mantelpiece, 1900-50
Located in Kenilworth, IL
American Federal style mantelpiece with a projecting mantle shelf over an entablature of triglyphs and metopes supported by flanking pilasters and a central tablet. The upper mantle ...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Pine
American Federal Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with pinched corners over four graduated drawers with oval brass handles.
Bracket feet.
Category
1790s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1818 Declaration of Independence Broadside Engraved by Benjamin Owen Tyler
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a stunning 1818 engraving of the Declaration of Independence, the first engraved broadside of our nation’s founding document. The year 1815 saw the conclusion of the United S...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
American 45 Star Flag, circa 1896
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique American 45 Star Flag, circa 1896, marking the admission of Utah into the Union as the 45th state in 1896. This was an official flag of the United States for only twelve yea...
Category
1890s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Muslin
Federal Grain Painted and Stenciled Document Box 19th Century American
Located in Hudson, NY
A spectacular and fine, dovetailed poplar, rosewood grain painted and ebonized document box. The gold stenciling is of a very fine quality. Retains the original fire gilded steel bai...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold, Steel
Vintage Silver Pewter Metal Federal Style Urn Finial Fireplace Tool Set - 4 Pcs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Silver Pewter Metal Federal Style Urn Finial Fireplace Tool Set - 4 Pc Set. Item featured set includes 3 tools and 1 stand, pewter finish, very nice vintage set. Circa Mid 20...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Pair Hickory Chair Federal Style Upholstered Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Hickory Chair Furniture Federal Style Upholstered Mahogany Armchairs in great vintage condition.
Measures 25" in width, 25" in depth, 36" in height, 18" seat height. Arm heig...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Corner Etagere with Drawer
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th century four-tier Federal Style corner shelf with one drawer measuring 22" in width, 16" in depth and standing 57.75" in height. Shelf clearances are 10.25".
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Virginia Craftmen Federal Mahogany Pencil Post Canopy Twin Size Bedsteads, Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Federal Style Mahogany Pencil Post Canopy Bed Steads by Virginia Craftmen furniture.
Measures 41.5" in width, 81" in depth and 77.5" in height to the top of the finials. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1940s Federal 5 Arm Petite Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Federal style brass five arm chandelier with fluted details and candlestick arms from 1940s. Cleaned and restored. Please note, this item is located in our Scranton, PA location.
Category
1940s Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
1960s Federal Style Mahogany Drop-Leaf Rolling Buffet Bar Server Card
Located in Germantown, MD
1960s Federal style genuine mahogany drop-leaf rolling buffet server and bar cart with 3 drawers functioning perfectly, with dovetail joints cons...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Mahogany Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice Federal Mahogany chest 1820-30. This is a really pretty chest with beautiful carved and turned columns on tall turned legs. There is...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Federal Style Mahogany Barrel-Back Upholstered Seat and Back Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Federal Style mahogany barrel-back upholstered seat and back armchairs.
Very good vintage condition. Double layer seat. Very...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Tall Narrow Georgian Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk Individual Glass
By Reprodux
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Tall Narrow Georgian flame mahogany drop front secretary desk individual glass panes doors MINT!
Category
20th Century English Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Drexel Heritage Federal Style Mahogany Tooled Leather Slide Top 10-Drawer Desk
By Drexel
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare Drexel Heritage Bonheur du Jour Federal Style mahogany tooled leather slide top desk with 10 functional drawers. It is superb condition and is beautifully designed. The desk area has 5 top smaller drawers, 4 rear, very deep drawers, a large center drawer with original brass drawer knobs...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Mahogany Drop Front Desk High Chest of Drawers
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful warm highboy dresser with drop-front secretary. Leather embossed writing surface with 3 drawer storage. Perfect size with versatility for an apartment or stately home. Rich...
Category
Mid-20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Birdseye Maple
19th Century American Federal Bachelor's Chest of Drawers
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional quality American Federal Style Bachelor's chest of five drawers from the first half of the 19th century.
Finely hand-crafted of warm rich solid mahogany, having a r...
Category
19th Century Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
L. J. Frazier American Federal Giltwood Wall Mirror, Circa 1910s
By Larry Frazier
Located in Germantown, MD
American federal giltwood wall mirror, Circa 1910s by L. J. Frazier.
Giltwood frame in very good shape. Original Mirror shows signs of aging, but in good condition. Circa 1910s.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Federal Boston Mahogany Sideboard Attributed to the Seymour Workshop
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Federal Boston demilune Mahogany sideboard, with shaped top with delicate arrow inlay surmounting a conforming case with deep central frieze drawer flanked by smaller ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair American Mahogany Serpentine Inlaid Knife Boxes with Cutlery Interiors
Located in Charleston, SC
Wonderful pair of cutlery boxes with chevron inlay and sloped lid with an oval Patera surrounding a sea shell. These knife boxes have a Family History of being from Baltimore.
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Federal Cast Brass Sconces with Eagles and Hurricane Glass Shades, ca 1920s
Located in New York, NY
AIS2912
A pair of single light federal Revival period sconces with clear glass hurricane shades and slender backplates surmounted by eagles, circa 1920...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
1910s Pair of Petite Bronze Federal Two-Arm Wall Sconces, Floral Details
Located in New York, NY
1910s pair of petite Federal style floral bronze sconces with two arms and ribbon detailing.. Priced as a pair. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan St location in Scranton. PA.
Category
1910s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century American Federal Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
This American Federal-period overmantel composition mirror features a gilt carved wood and gesso frame. A sculpted eagle is perched above an églomisé panel depicting flowers. Separating the panels of original mirror glass are engaged Corinthian columns, and atop each of the ends are flame-and-leaf finials. The mirror is of an unusual design, but two Federal-period New York mirrors...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Philadelphia Federal Work or End Table in Mahogany, circa 1820
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning American Federal table in mahogany with neoclassical form in the manner of renown Philadelphia cabinetmaker Anthony Quervelle. Top offers ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Federal Mahogany Worktable
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine American Federal reed leg mahogany cross banded worktable with fitted top drawer and sewing bag drawer.
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Furniture
American Mid Atlantic States Federal Style Sideboard
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With bow front, bold circular marquetry door fronts, string inlay, inlaid bell flowers on tapering legs, marquetry trim, brass drop pulls and escutcheon. The bottle drawers have been...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
1920s Silver Plated Six-Light Colonial Style Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
1920s six light Federal style chandelier. Made of brass with a silver finish. Price includes restoration. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan...
Category
1920s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American Cherry Candle Stand
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very interesting American cherry candle stand with exaggerated spider arched legs giving it a contemporary feel.
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
1920s Pair of Federal Style Iron and Crystal Sconces with Arrow
Located in New York, NY
From circa 1920, fashioned out of iron with crystal dressing and presented in a Federal style. This can be seen at our 400 Gilligan St location in Scranton, PA.
Category
1920s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
American Federal Style Banjo Clock
Located in Asheville, NC
Gilded wood case Banjo clock with decorative brass cutwork and back painted glass, enameled clock face with Roman numerals, brass pendulum and winder. Surm...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Federal furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Federal furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal furniture made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, Kindel Furniture, Drexel, and Edward F. Caldwell & Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $115,000 while the average work can sell for $2,800.
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