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Federal Mirrors

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
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 Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

Antique 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 Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal Gold Giltwood Overmantle 66" Triple Mirror. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 25" H x 66.5" W x 4.75" D.
Category

19th Century Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Antique American Federal Carved Giltwood Pier Mirror Églomisé Panel NY 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American Federal period, Classical giltwood eglomise pier mirror, New York, circa 1815. The mirror with a stepped cornice and applied gilt spheres, below are bands of ...
Category

1810s American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Pair of Early 19th Century Federal Hepplewhite Mirrors with Pineapple Finals
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of American Federal Hepplewhite Mirrors with Pineapple Finials. Wonderful pediment shaped eglomise panels with floral gilt. Gilded balls and columns. A true pair. Possibly Al...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Mid 20th Century Mahogany Traditional Federal Wall Mirror
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Traditional Federal style wall mirror, unbranded, similar quality to Drexel or Lexington. Mirrored glass, mahogany frame with pediment and center finial to top. Made in the USA, in...
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

19th Century American Federal Style Overmantel Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th Century American Federal style gilt wood mirror is a quintessential example of the elegance and symmetry that define the Federal design aesthetic. Its frame, adorned with s...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Large Federal Style Gilt Wood Tabernacle Pier Mirror
Located in Free Union, VA
A large and handsome American Federal Style mirror of very good quality in the Federal style, likely made in Italy in the second half of the 20th century. Clusters of colonnettes at ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood, Paint

Kindel Federal Style Eagle and Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
Kindel Furniture Federal Style Eagle and Parcel Gilt Decorated Mahogany Frame Mirror. Measures 20.75" in width and 45" in height.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

American Federal Mahogany Églomisé Barley Twist and Acorn Wall Mirror, C. 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
American federal mahogany églomisé wall mirror with decorative carved acorn and barley twist motif. Mirror retains the original looking glass and wood backing, Early 19th century.
Category

1810s American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany, Pine, Paint, Mirror

Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany Trumeau Mirror with hand painted on board perched eagle with yellow background. Measures 21.5" tall and 11" in width.
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Paint

Antique Federal Mahogany & Giltwood Figural Eagle Wall Mirror 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Shipping Rates - Reliable Service & Fully Insured*** An antique Federal wall mirror offers shaped mahogany frame having giltwood figural eagle crest, fl...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Antique 19th Century Federal Giltwood Convex Bullseye Eagle Acanthus Mirror 31"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th Century gold giltwood bullseye / convex wall mirror featuring a round frame carved with an American eagle with wings outstretched and bunches of acanthus leaves, over a ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Antique American Federal Mahogany Feathers Plume Wall Vanity Mirror 26"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique mahogany Americna Federal style carved wall or vanity mirror with applied gilt plumage / trio of feathers accent. Dimensions: 13" x 1" x 25.75" / Mirror - 8.875" x 13.875" (...
Category

Early 20th Century Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

American Empire Pier Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
An early Empire giltwood pier mirror with rope twist split column, flower basket and leaf blocks with acorn spherules and original mercury glass, c.1815-1840. 29 inches wide by 5 ¼...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Rare Pair Antique American Federal Convex "Bullseye" Mirrors, Circa 1850-1870.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare Pair Antique American Federal Convex "Bullseye" Mirrors, Circa 1850-1870. Carved Gilt Wood and Metal.
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Metal

19th C. Federal Style Gilt Wood Mirror w/ Eagle & Cornucopias
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
19th century federal style mirror, hand carved and intact, two cornucopias filled flanking either side of the eagle. Classic design element of the federal period (much like the con...
Category

1880s American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Plaster

19th C. Carved And Gilt Convex Mirror for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Originally purchased in Boston. A classic deep convex mirror with multiple surrounds. The outer decorated with X shaped motifs on each side, a deep curved band with gilt spheres, an ...
Category

19th Century Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Sheraton Giltwood Mirror, c.1830
Located in Savannah, GA
A Sheraton giltwood mirror, circa 1830. Antique plate; original gilding with some early retouching. 23 inches wide by 34 inches tall by 3 inches deep
Category

1830s Unknown Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Federal Style Mahogany Mirror With Carved Giltwood Grouse
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique mahogany frame federal mirror wall gold gilt carved bird. Item features gold gilt carved bird, carved and shaped frame, wood frame, beautiful wood gr...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood, Mirror, Mahogany

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 Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood, Mirror

19th Century Federal Eagle Gilt Wood Bullseye Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Federal Eagle Round Gilt Wood Frame Mirror. The frame consists of 15 round balls framed by garlands and flowers with an eagle with wide spread wings atop of frame.
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Federal Satinwood Inlaid Carved Mahogany Parcel Gilt And Eglomise Painted Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A beautiful Federal style Satinwood Inlaid in Carved Mahogany Parcel Gilt And Eglomise Painted scroll ear wall Mirror. Measures 24" in width and 56" tall. Wood backing.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Satinwood, Giltwood

Federal Style Convex Mirror Carved Eagle By LA Barge
Located in Toledo, OH
Federal style wood with a convex mirror by La Barge. Gold and black finish with carved eagle adorning the top. Mirror measures 14.5" in diameter. Overall size is 23" wide x 42" tall.
Category

20th Century North American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Antique Classical Italian Giltwood Figural Bullseye Wall Mirror with Eagle 1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Classical Italian figural bullseye mirror offers giltwood construction with eagle or phoenix crest over convex mirror having double scroll form arms terminating in candle ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

American Federal Style Large Size Round Beveled Wall Mirror with Eagle
Located in Savannah, GA
This classic Federal style American giltwood mirror is finely carved and features an eagle with widely spread wings perched on a pedestal ato...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

19th Century Giltwood Mirror with Rosette Corners and Fruit Panel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An antique carved giltwood wall mirror from the 1800s featuring a rectangular frame with rosette corners and a basket of fruit panel at the top. It is made of wood and gilded with g...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror

Monumental Giltwood Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
A truly, exceptional and most fine example of the neoclassical mastery. This monumental mirror will make a truly shows-stopping statement in any parlor it is displayed. Very forma...
Category

17th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Gold, Gold Leaf

American Federal Girandole Ebonized Eagle Gilt Wood Foliage Convex Mirror C 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal girandole gilt wood and gesso convex mirror with a central ebonized eagle perched to flee with ball and chain, flanking double acanthus foliage medallion candle arms...
Category

Early 1800s American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Ebony, Giltwood

American Federal Gilt Wood Convex Mirror with Perched Eagle to Flee, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, 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 Mirrors

Materials

Ebony, Gesso, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood

Italian Federal Style Silver Gilt Convex Wall Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian Federal Style Silver Gilt Convex Wall Mirror. Vintage mirror with stunning detail and quality.
Category

20th Century Italian Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

American Federal Gilt Wood Ebonized Eagle Girandole Convex Mirror, Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal gilt wood girandole convex mirror with perched spread wing eagle, connecting chains with hanging gilt balls, oak leaves with acorns, scrolled foliage medallion candle arms, circular brass bobeches, original ebonized reeded mirror with sphere mounted surround, and terminating with a lower foliage pendant...
Category

1810s American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

American Chippendale Federal Mahogany And Parcel Gilt Constitution Mirror
Located in Free Union, VA
A fine ca. 1780’s American Chippendale Federal wall mirror with a scrolling “broken pediment” which flanks a central pedestal holding a Ho Ho bird with outstretched wings standing on...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

Architectural White Paint Decorated Pediment Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and very Architectural form Pediment mirror in white paint with fluted panels flanking the mirror and decorated with egg and dart and craved ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Floral Paint Decorated Mahogany Trumeau Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

1940s European Vintage Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood

Early 20th Century Federal Style Gilt Decorated Eagle Pediment Frame Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Federal Style Gilt Decorated Eagle Pediment Frame Mirror. Measures 20.5" in width, and stands 45" tall.
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood, Wood, Mirror

Biggs Federal Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Three Panel Overmantel Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A horizontally oriented three-panel mahogany overmantel mirror with scrolling pediment centred with a mounted eagle finial with open wings and accented with a gold giltwood and gesso...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

Fine Antique Convex Mirror with Eagle Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved and gilt with a fine three- dimensional eagle crest holding a ball on a chain in its beak. It stands on a pedestal In an energetic pose with one win...
Category

19th Century Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Gilded Gold Wood Floor Mirror by John Richard
Located in Toledo, OH
Gilded floor mirror by John Richard. Mirror features a serpentine arched top with a paneled boarder throughout. Each section has a distressed mirror with a thin beveled edge. Carved ...
Category

20th Century North American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Antique Federal Style Mahogany & Gold Gilt Eagle Wall Mirror
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Federal style wall mirror, unbranded. Mirror glass in a mahogany frame with gold gilt, decoratively carved throughout, gold escutcheon ornamentation to center of top & bot...
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Paint

Early 20th Century Federal Style Mahogany And Eglomise Wall Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful early 20th century Federal style mahogany and Eglomise wall Trumeau mirror. Measures 24.25" in width, 37.5" tall and 3" in depth.
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Mahogany, Paint

Georgian Style Reverse Painted Glass Historical House Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful early 20th century Georgian style reverse painted glass historical house Trumeau mirror. Measures 24.75" in width, 40.5" tall and 3" in depth.
Category

Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Mahogany, Paint

American Philadelphia Empire Cheval Mirror, circa 1825
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Dereham, GB
American Philadelphia Empire mahogany cheval mirror, circa 1825. Certainly has the quality of top Philadelphia cabinet maker. The oval mirror with ribbon moulding on front of frame, fan carving on top and bottom of mirror frame, mirror sitting in tapering reeded columns with flared petals and turnings on top. Tulip carving at bottom,with the column square edges supporting the reeded cross stretcher, medallion turnings on outside, carved corbels each side,above shaped reeded end supporting legs with scrolled ends, turnings under with brown china wheels...
Category

1820s American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Federal Style Circular Mirror, Giltwood Wall / Pier / Vanity
Located in Stamford, CT
Federal style circular mirror, giltwood wall / Pier / vanity A Petite Federal style mirror that would compliment any Hollywood Regency or Mid-Century Modern décor. fine giltwood c...
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

American Classical Mirror Circa 1820
Located in Hudson, NY
An American federal mirror of exceptional quality depth and design. With a perfect warm patina and retaining the original gold gilding and mirr...
Category

1820s American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

Late 20th Century Mahogany Traditional Federal Style Wall Mirror
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Traditional Federal style wall mirror, unbranded, similar quality to Drexel or Henkel Harris. Mirrored glass, mahogany frame with pediment and c...
Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany, Mirror

Federal Style Gilded Carved Wood Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Federal Style Gilded Carved Wood Mirror, 19th Century Carved wood American Federal style parcel-gilt wall mirror featuring a broken scroll pediment, solid wood frame, nicely carved...
Category

19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Giltwood

Antique Federal Style Gilt Gold Convex Wall / Console / Pier Mirror, Distressed
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Federal style gilt gold convex wall / console / pier mirror, distressed Antique, Federal Style, 19th C. round wall mirror bearing a subtle convex center glass. Detailing ...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood, Mirror

Antique American Federal Gilt Carved Overmantle Triple Mirror with Gold Eagle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal gilt carved overmantle triple mirror with gold eagle. Item featured is an Impressive item, gold gold gilt carved eagle pediment, mahogany wood frame, triple ...
Category

Early 20th Century Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

19th Century Federal Style Gilded Eglomise Trumeau Mirror with Mother & Child
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a sweet gilded trumeau mirror with Federal styling. The eglomise panel depicts a mother and child. The mirror portion does show age wear.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Giltwood

Federal Style Carved Giltwood Wall / Console / Pier Mirror, Over Mantle , 1900s
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Federal Style Carved Giltwood Wall / console / Pier mirror, 1900s A finely carved versatile mirror that can be used on the floor or over the mantle, console or hanging on ...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Antique Styled by Park American Federal Cherry Lowboy Chest & Mirror Dresser
Located in Dayton, OH
American federal revival dresser & mirror, circa first half 20th century. Marked "Cherry Styled by Park". Features a rectangular form lowboy ches...
Category

Early 20th Century Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Cherry

Antique Kindel Oxford Mahogany Frame Federal Mirror Wall Gold Gilt Carved Eagle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Kindel oxford mahogany frame federal mirror wall gold gilt carved eagle. Item features gold gilt carved eag...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Federal Mirrors

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Federal Gilt-Wood & Eglomise Painted Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This American Federal gilt-wood mirror dates Circa 1790, it’s lower rectangular antique mirror plate below A black, white & gold verre e...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Antique American Federal Broken Arch Mahogany Mirror with Urn Inlay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Federal broken arch Mahogany mirror with urn Inlay. Item features pencil inlay to frame, satinwood urn inlay to crest, carved mahogany frame...
Category

Early 20th Century Federal Mirrors

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Nathaniel Bowditch American Federal Giltwood Convex Mirror of Monumental Size
Located in Essex, MA
Monumental and historically important Salem Massachusetts giltwood convex mirror. Purchased by Nathaniel Bowditch for his Salem House around 1810-15. Carved a...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Antique Federal Figural Eagle Giltwood Wall Mirror circa 1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Federal wall mirror offers frame with figural giltwood eagle at crest and having flanking inverted bellflower garland, c1840 Measures - 27''H x 19.5''W x 2.5''D. Catalog...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Giltwood

Mid-Century Italian Carved Eagle Giltwood Federal Style Mirrors, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of carved giltwood eagle mirrors with Federal styling in very good condition. They are Italian and most likely date to the 60s. The pair are unmarked.
Category

Mid-20th Century Federal Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Federal mirrors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal mirrors 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 mirrors created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include mirrors, case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal mirrors 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 mirrors, popular names associated with this style include Biggs Furniture, Borghese, Foster Brothers, and Friedman Brothers. 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 mirrors 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 $97,850 while the average work can sell for $1,997.

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