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Federal Andirons

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
Pair 19th Century American Federal Brass and Iron Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair 19th Century American Federal polished Cast Brass and forged Iron Andirons. Measure 8.5" in width, 15" in depth and 15" in Height
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Quality Pair Antique Brass Cannonball Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With cannonball tops on ring shaped supports mounted on scrolled legs with ball feet. The curved back long iron stand with ball finials. Dimensions: H. 21", W. 12 3/4", Depth 19" C...
Category

19th Century Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair Antique Federal Brass & Wrought Iron Lemon Top Andirons C1810
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Pair Antique Federal Brass & Wrought Iron Lemon Top Andirons C1810 Measures- 24"H x 10.5"W x 24.75"D
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Brass Urn & Wrought Iron Federal Style Branch Leg Fireplace Andirons
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Add a touch of classic American elegance to your hearth with this striking pair of 20th-century Federal-style fireplace andirons. Each andiron features a beautifully detailed engrave...
Category

20th Century Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of Tall Solid Brass Harvin Co. Federal Style Andirons
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Federal style andirons made from high quality cast brass pieces assembled. Tall and elegant in excellent vintage condition with...
Category

1950s American Vintage Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Brass Urn / Wrought Iron Federal Style Branch Leg Fireplace Andirons
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Add a touch of classic American elegance to your hearth with this striking pair of 20th-century Federal-style fireplace andirons. Each andiron features a beautifully detailed eagle s...
Category

20th Century North American Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of Classical Federal Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine pair of American classical Federal andirons, having urn finials over Doric column shafts standing on square plinths with scalloped base, over shaped legs having spurred knees an...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Etched Brass Federal Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of federal andirons in polished brass with decorative urn and leaf etching to front faces, having turned finials and spurred knees to legs with well-formed ball and eagle talo...
Category

1880s American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass

Mid 20th Century Harvin Company Federal Style Brass Andirons with Claw Feet
Located in Middleburg, VA
Mid 20th century harvin company federal style brass andirons with claw feet. Heavy duty brass and iron fireplace dogs. United States, 1950s. Measures: 23" H, 13" W, 20" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique American Federal Pointed Finial Brass Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Pointed Finial Brass Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Item features solid brass and cast iron construction, and remarkable patina. Circa 19th Century. Measuremen...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass

Pair of Brass George Washington Andirons
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage pair of brass George Washington Andirons, likely mid 20th century, cast brass shallow full length figure of George Washington standi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass

Pair Mid-20th Century Federal Style Canon Ball Brass Fireplace Low Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of Mid-20th Century Federal Style Canon Ball Brass Fireplace Andirons Please inquire about the Matching Fireplace Fender and fire place tools set available in our inventory in...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass

Pair of Brass Ball Top Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American early 19th brass ball top andirons having ring turned collar over balustrade turned shafts, standing on hoof-footed cabriole legs with spurred knees, the log st...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair Of American Brass Steeple Top Andirons
Located in Essex, MA
Steeple top newly polished. Ball feet.
Category

1820s American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of Early 20th Century Federal Brass and Iron Andirrons
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair Early 20th Century Federal Brass and Iron Andirrons. Measuring 8" in width, 18" in width and 21.5" in height. Recently repolished
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Large American Federal Style Brass Ornate Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
Amazingly decorated pair of large American Federal style brass ornate andirons. This is very heavy and in polished brass ornate with carved brass flowers...
Category

Early 20th Century Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

American Brass and Artistic Wire Work Fire Place Fender, New York, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass and artistic wire work fire place fender, New York. Early 19th century.
Category

1810s American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wire

Pair of American Double Lemon Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American double lemon andirons, having beaded bands around both lemon finials, with turned collars over octagonal shafts, standing on arche...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Iron, Brass

Pair of American Federal Brass Urn Finial Shield Engraved Andirons. Phil. C 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American Federal brass andirons with shield engraved urn finials, shield engraved plinths, incised checkering lines, engraved swags on s...
Category

Early 1800s American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

19th C. American Federal Brass Cannonball Andirons with Aged Patina - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Federal Brass Cannonball Andirons with Aged Patina - a Pair. Item features desirable aged patina to brass, large cannonball ...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass

Harvin Co Brass Federal Style Branch Leg Ball and Claw Andirons, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Harvin Co brass federal style branch leg ball and claw andirons - a pair. Item features branch legs, ball and claw feet, original stamp, quality Amer...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique English Federal Brass Cannonball Fireplace Andirons With Patina - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Federal Brass Cannonball Fireplace Andirons With Patina - a Pair. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 20" H x 11" W x 32" D.
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of American Classical Style Andirons
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good pair of American Classical style andirons having double knob urn finials over Doric column shafts, standing on plinth support over pair o...
Category

20th Century American Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brass Urn & Marble Federal Style Branch Leg Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Brass Urn & Marble Federal Style Branch Leg Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 25.25" H x 12.5" W x 8.75" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century Federal Andirons

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Brass Hunneman Andirons with Tapered Bodies and Ball Finials, Circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
AFP0561 A pair of andirons in their original aged brass and blackened iron finish, after a pattern by the Boston maker William Hunneman having tapered bodies topped with ball finials...
Category

1880s American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

American Brass and Artistic Wire Work Fire Place Fender, New York, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass and artistic wire work fire place fender, New York. Early 19th century.
Category

1810s American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wire

Antique Federal Style Turned Brass & Cast Iron Fireplace Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Federal Style Turned Brass & Cast Iron Fireplace Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 18" H x 13" W x 18.25" D.
Category

Early 20th Century Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Iron

American Serpentine Brass Finial & Artistic Wire Work Fire Fender, Boston C 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
American serpentine brass ball finial and artistic wire work fire place fender, Boston, MA. Early 19th Century.
Category

Early 1800s American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wire

Pair of American Federal Brass Flanking Urn Finial Engraved Andirons Phil C 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American Federal brass andirons with flanking urn finials, matching urn finial log stops, engraved swags on skirt, and resting on banded...
Category

Early 1800s American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of 19th Century American Federal Polished Brass Andirons
Located in West Hartford, CT
Pair of elegant antique 19th century federal style polished brass andirons, firedogs.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Andirons

Materials

Brass

Federal andirons for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal andirons for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage andirons created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal andirons made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original andirons, popular names associated with this style include Harvin Company, and Puritan Ironworks Company. 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 andirons differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $9,800 while the average work can sell for $1,875.

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