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
Baker Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard or Buffet Server
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style sideboard, buffet server, or console
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Flam mahogany, with inlaid satinwood banding and marquetry, ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century American Federal Giltwood Overmantel Mirror.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
20th Century American Federal Giltwood Overmantel Mirror.
This American Federal antique mirror dates to the 20th Century. The symmetrical giltwood frame is rectangular in form and ...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
1920s Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Federal Style Fold-Top Console or Game Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th century Mahogany and satinwood Inlaid Federal style Fold-Top Console or Card Table in very good antique condition.
Measures 36" in width, 17.5" in depth folded and 35" ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1800s American Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 19th Century Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk recently refinished.
Measure 45.75" in width, 21" in depth and 44" in height.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Cherry Hand-Planed Gate-Legged, Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Louisville, KY
Not your ordinary drop-leaf table, this early 19th century cherry gate-leg, drop-leaf table was hand-planed and hand-turned to create a wonderful dining table that doubles as a conso...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Rare Antique American Federal Mahogany Inlaid Sofa Settee Boston Massachusetts
Located in Dayton, OH
A Very Fine American Federal Period Carved Mahogany Sofa, circa 1810. Features a bowback frame with cross banding. Sloped arms lead to reeded supports in front of remarkable three-di...
Category
1810s Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Federal Style Flame Mahogany Serpentine Hepplewhite Sideboard Marquetry Cabinet
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Stunning serpentine federal style sideboard, flame mahogany veneer and patterned marquetry inlay. Sold with unrestored with original patina and losses. Great bones for a complete res...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
American 1800’s Federal Style Two Drawer Drop-leaf Side Table
Located in Louisville, KY
This lovely table is an example of an era of furniture long gone. Made in Burlington, Vermont in the mid 1800’s, this beautiful cherry, burled walnut and poplar as secondary, showcas...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Poplar, Walnut, Burl
Vintage American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair Antique Federal Carved Mahogany Night Stands
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Shows Patina from Age & Use
Style: American Federal
Category
1920s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of 2 Hitchcock Black Federal Side Chairs, Rush Seats.
By Hitchcock
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of 2 Hitchcock Black Federal Side Chairs, Rush Seats.
These vintage Hitchcock chairs are black lacquer painted and embellished with ochr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Rush, Wood
Federal Butlers Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Very attractive Mahogany southern Federal Butlers Desk probably mid Atlantic states around 1820-30. Large bottle drawers on either side of a nicely fi...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Federal Style Mahogany Glazed Double Door China Bookcase Display Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Double Glazed Door China bookcase, display Cabinet. Measures 34.5" in width, 16" in depth and 70" in height.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
American Federal Swirl Mahogany Butler's Desk New York, Circa 1800s
Located in Germantown, MD
An American Federal Swirl Mahogany Butler's Desk New York Circa late 18th Century to Early 19th Century , featuring three flawlessly working upper drawer, and A Abattant Door that o...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Wonderful Pluribus Unum Eagle Star Brass Glass Bell Jar 3-Light Lantern Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful "Pluribus Unum" Eagle & Star Brass With Blown Glass Bell Jar 3-Candelabra Light Lantern Fixture
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Dixie Furniture Federal Mahogany Serpentine Chest of Drawers with Glass Top
Located in Germantown, MD
Dixie Furniture Federal Mahogany Serpentine Chest of Drawers with
protective Glass Top. Dovetail Drawers functioning flawlessly. Mea...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Tiered Bedside Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Tiered Bedside Table. Measures 16" in width, 13" in depth and 27" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Night Stands
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Mid Century Federal Style Mahogany Two Tier single drawer Night Stands in good vintage condition.
Measures 18" in width, 15.25" in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Century Furniture Carved Mahogany Posters Queen Bed
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 20th century Furniture Company Federal Style poster queen size bed in very good vintage condition.
Measures 64"in width, 87.5" in depth and stands 90" to the top of the poste...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Philadelphia Federal Wardrobe / Armoire in West Indies Mahogany c. !820
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional American Federal wardrobe from Philadelphia in fine West Indies mahogany. Features split cylindrical columns with elaborate acanthus-carved Corinthian capitals flanking doors with book matched, crotch-mahogany panels. The stepped ogee-style crown molding, too, is expertly book matched, along with the concave base board...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Hickory Chair Federal Flame Mahogany Buffet Server or Hall Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous traditional Federal or Hepplewhite style buffet server, hall or entry table, or occasional side table
By Hickory Chair, "Historical James River Plantations...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
American "French Sideboard" Attributable to Duncan Phyfe, New York, circa 1815
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptionally fine and rare "French Sideboard Table" in mahogany, attributable to the workshop of the eminent New York cabinetmaker, Duncan Phyfe, circa 1810-1818.
This exquisit...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Classical American Federal Gondola Sleigh Bed in Mahogany, Philadelphia, c. 1830
Located in Miami, FL
An exquisite classical American gondola sleigh bed in fine West Indies mahogany from the Federal period in Philadelphia, circa 1830. Inspired by the aesthetic ideals of ancient Greek & Roman furniture popularized during the Empire & Federal period, this sleigh bed features shaped sideboards with an out-scrolled headboard...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Bombay Furniture Federal Style Mahogany Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 20th Century Bombay Furniture Federal Style Mahogany Console Table in very good vintage condition.
Measures 35" in width, 15" in depth and stands 29.5" tall.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hickory White American Masterpiece Collection Demilune Sideboard
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Hickory White American Masterpiece Collection mahogany Demi Lune Sideboard. The sideboard with cross banding, felted center silver drawer above cabinet doors flanked by opposing door...
Category
20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
2 Antique American Federal Style Carved Mahogany Twin Cannonball Poster Bed Pair
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of early 20th century twin size Cannonball beds. Features a solid mahogany frame with barley twisted, ribbed and acanthus carved posts. The beautiful Federal shaped headboards...
Category
Early 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Potthast Bros. Federal Satinwood & Ebony Inlaid Mahogany Cocktail, Coffee Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Potthast Bros. Federal Style Satinwood and Ebony Inlaid Mahogany Cocktail table / Coffee Table in great vintage condition. Measures 42" in width, 18" in depth and stands 18" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood
American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings standing on olive branches and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century American Federal Giltwood Eagle Bullseye Convex Mirror
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Regency style convex bullseye wall mirror featuring a carved eagle with open wings and 13 small spheres representing the original 13 colonies around the inside ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Baker Furniture Colonial Williamsburg Federal Inlaid Fruitwood Demilune Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style demilune sideboard, cabinet, or console table
By Baker Furniture, "Colonial Williamsburg" Collection
USA, Circa 1980s
Book-matched fruitwoo...
Category
1980s American Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
Antique American 4 Poster Acanthus Carved Southern Bed in Mahogany, c. 1820
Located in Miami, FL
Period Antique Federal American 4 poster bed in West Indies mahogany, c. 1820. A fine example of a Southern bed featuring carved tobacco and acanthus leaves in a fine tight grained C...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Early 20th Century Federal Style Continental Brass Lanterns, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful pair of Federal style brass lanterns with eagle pediment. They have a made in Holland label. They are not wired and were likely operated via oil.
Category
Early 20th Century European Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Neoclassical Federal Pedestal Sideboard in Mahogany, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A very long and elegant American Federal, pedestal sideboard in mahogany with mahogany inlaid bandings along the borders. Inspired by the classical architecture of ancient Greece and...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 6 Reupholstered Mahogany Carved Rose Back Dining Chairs
Located in Medina, OH
Set of 6 Reupholstered Mahogany Carved Rose Back Dining Chairs. Reupholstered in an abstract luxurious gold velvet by Manuel Canovas from Colef...
Category
1940s Vintage Federal Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Federal Inlaid Mahogany Demilune Fold Top Console / Card Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Federal Inlaid Mahogany Demilune Fold Top Console / Card Table in clean antique Condition. Measures 36" in width, 17.5" in depth folded, 35" in depth unfolded and 29.5...
Category
19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
King Size Sleigh Bed with Low Footboard by Leighton Hall - Showroom Sample
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is a traditional king size mahogany Sleigh Bed with a low footboard design by Leighton Hall Furniture. It features a classic serpentine headboard. It has a medium brown mahoga...
Category
2010s Philippine Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Federal Style Mahogany Inlaid Serpentine Sideboard Buffet by Copenhaver
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Federal Style Mahogany Inlaid Serpentine Sideboard Buffet by Copenhaver's Furniture, Winchester, VA. Item features pull out sides, working lock and key, bellflower and satinw...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique American Federal Maple Wood Canopy Single Twin Poster Bed Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Maple Wood Canopy Single Twin Poster Bed Frame with Carved Finials (Color indoors is more true to images 2 and 3). Buyer will...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Maple
Early 20th Century Federal Mahogany Pedestal Trifid Demilune Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Federal Mahogany Pedestal Trifid Demilune Table with brass paw feet. Measures 25" in width, 13" in depth and stands 22.5" tall.
Category
Early 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
HONORE LANNUIER: Cabinetmaker From Paris - 1998 The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
By Charles-Honoré Lannuier
Located in Rochester, NY
Honore Lannuier: Cabinetmaker from Paris - Peter M. Kenney - 1998 The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Abrams. Softcover book - 253 pages - black/white and...
Category
1990s American Federal Furniture
Materials
Paper
Thomasville Hepplewhite Federal Inlaid Mahogany Brass Gallery Sideboard Buffet
By Thomasville
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Thomasville Hepplewhite Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Sideboard Buffet with Brass Gallery. Item features 2 dovetailed drawers, bell flower inlay, 2 swing doors, brass gallery, origin...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Style Carved Mahogany Queen Size Poster Bedstead
Located in Germantown, MD
An American Federal Style carved Mahogany Queen size Bedstead in great vintage condition. Measures 63.5" in width, 89" in depth and 88" in height to the top of the urn finials. Head...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Twin Size Mahogany Canopy Beds by Smith & Watson MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Twin Size Mahogany Canopy Beds by Smith & Watson MINT
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Federal Mahogany Shield Back Dining Chairs, Set of Six
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Federal or Hepplewhite style shield back dining chairs
By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection
USA, circa Late 20th century
Solid carved m...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
Antique American Federal Mahogany 2 Drawer Inlaid Side Table Brass Gallery 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American Federal inlaid mahogany side or work table with a brass gallery, circa 1810.
The table with four brass turned columns with ball finials joined with circular b...
Category
1810s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Centennial American Federal Gilded Carved Eagle and Mahogany Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb 1876 era Centennial American mirror with a gorgeous gilded eagle on top and garlands and detail on the rest of the mahogany frame. The frame is in good antique condi...
Category
1870s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mahogany
King Size Walnut Federal Style Gold Leaf Canopy Bed Headboard Footboard MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
King Size Walnut Federal Style Gold Leaf Canopy Bed Headboard Footboard MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Carved and Painted Wooden Eagle with Shield Attributed to John Haley Bellamy
Located in Savannah, GA
In all original untouched condition including weathered paint, this wonderful Folk Art wall plaque speaks for itself. Substantial size. It looks to be made to be mounted on a ledge, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Wood
Barbara Barry Style Mahogany Dining Chairs by Hickory Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome set of six mahogany dining chairs featuring a generous seat and round back in the style of Barbara Barry. Made by Hickory Chair with fluted or reeded legs in the front. The ...
Category
20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Set of Twelve Federal Revival Shield Back Dining Chairs 20th C
Located in London, GB
This is an absolutely fantastic vintage set of twelve Federal Revival shield back dining chairs, dating from the second half of the 20th century.
These chairs have been masterfully ...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Drop Leaf Dining Table in West Indies Mahogany New York, c 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A handsome American Federal or Empire Pembroke table in fine West Indies mahogany with two drop leaves. This period breakfast table is supported by a reeded, vase-turned column on a ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
1940s Handley Johnson Handley Federal Mahogany Two-Drawer Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1940s Handley Johnson Handley Federal style Mahogany Two-Drawer Side Table
Measures 20" in width and 26.25" in height and 16" in depth.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Early 19thC American Federal Period Convex Gilt Wood Eagle Mirror 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique American Federal period convex gilt wood looking Glass/ mirror, circa 1820.
The mirror sumounted with a carved eagle on a plinth, the eagle with a chain suspended from...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
American-Market "Peace, Plenty and Independence" Liverpool Creamware Jug
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Peace, Plenty and Independence" Liverpool Transfer Decorated Creamware Jug,
Circa 1800
The "Peace, Plenty and Independence" Liverpool transfer decorated creamware jug has a black transfer print on one side depicting a spread wing eagle perched atop a cannon flanked by symbols of Peace and Plenty with the other side with the "Farmer's Arms," the front with "Samuel & Rachel Hayne.s" within a wreath above four lines of verse, inspired by Cupid's Lessons, reading, "My love is Fix'd, I cannot range,I like my choice,Too well to change". a second stanza not shown read " Long may we live, Happy may we be, Blest with content, And from misfortune be".
Dimensions: 10 1/8 inch height x 9 inches wide x 6 1/4 inches deep.
The print of an eagle with its wings spread standing on a cannon above a medallion containing the words, “PEACE, PLENTY, and INDEPENDENCE.” This is flanked by two allegorical figures. The figure on the left represents “plenty” holding a cornucopia, while the one on the right represents “peace” using her torch to set fire to instruments of war.
The New York Historical...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
American Federal Gilt Wood Convex Mirror with Perched Eagle to Flee, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
American Federal gilt carved wood and gesso convex mirror with perched eagle to flee, flanking acanthus scrolled foliage, interior circular spheres, ebonized reeded ring, and termina...
Category
1820s American Antique Federal Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Ebony
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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