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Federal Tables

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
Early 20th Century Vintage Federal Style Pembroke Table - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
Exquisite pair of inlay mahogany pembroke tables featuring squared tapered legs on casters. This pair of pembroke tables will immediately eleva...
Category

Early 20th Century Federal Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Wallace Nutting Tavern Table #660
Located in Parkesburg, PA
Wallace Nutting Tavern Table #660 Circa 1920's Hardwood Construction, Single Dovetailed Drawer, Joined Stretcher Base. Writing Desk or Work / Tavern Table Original Finish and Good...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Federal Tables

Materials

Hardwood

18th Mahogany Inlaid Card Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality 18th century American federal mahogany inlaid card table, the half round top intricately inlaid, supported by a gateleg to the rear, opening to a baise lin...
Category

18th Century American Antique Federal Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Rare Early 19th Century American Baltimore Federal Parcel Gilt Writing Desk
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine and rare early 19th century American Baltimore Federal painted writing table with fabulous parcel gilt detail throughout. The moulded to...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Early 19th Century American Sheraton Inlaid Cherry Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique early 19th century American Sheraton Inlaid cherry table Additional information: Materials: Cherry Wood Color: Sienna Period: early 19th century Styles: American, Fede...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Federal Tables

Materials

Wood

Empire Pier Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early Empire Mahogany Pier Table with the original marble. Nicely carved hairy paw feet sitting under the turned crotch Mahogany veneered columns under a banded inlay frieze. Old, po...
Category

Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Federal Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Philadelphia Federal Mahogany Work Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top with rounded hinged ends opening to compartments over two drawers that open from both sides over a hinged door with tambour front and ends and back raised on turned t...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Federal Tiger Maple Tripod Table, American, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Tiger Maple Tripod table, top with chamfered corners also inlaid with mother of pearl, circles, hearts & triangles. Turned standard raised on down swept legs terminating in spade feet.
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Mahogany Dining Table with Leaves with Brass Clips
Located in New York, NY
Table has 2 end sections and 2 leaves and brass clips. The table can be used as a pair of side table against the wall. Great color and patina Dimensions with leaves: Width 50 1/2...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Tables

Materials

Brass

American Federal Mahogany Bow Front One-Drawer Server with Brass Pulls. C.1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal mahogany bow front one-drawer server with a one board top, original brass floral pulls and escutcheon, and resting on the original turned bulbous ringed legs, Early ...
Category

1810s American Antique Federal Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique American Federal Mahogany Tilt-Top Supper Table, circa 1790
Located in Portland, OR
Antique American Federal mahogany tilt-top supper table, circa 1790. Very rare antique American supper table, most likely mid-Atlantic states, carved with a Native American head...
Category

1790s American Antique Federal Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Federal Partners' Desk in Mahogany, Philadelphia, circa 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful Philadelphia partners desk in mahogany with gadrooned top and apron resting on center pedestal with carved baluster and legs, and ending in brass casters with lions' paw ...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Tables

Materials

Brass

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19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk, Writing Table, Leather Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Late 19th Century French Louis XVI style mahogany desk features a gold tooled red leather top surrounded by a bronze trim border. The corners are detailed with bronze striated plaques. Two drawers of dovetail construction are fitted with bronze square drop handles. The table rests...
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20th Century Biedermeier Style Oval Table
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20th Century Biedermeier Style Oval Table
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English Demilune Console Table
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Douglas Fir Wood Tavern Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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21st Century and Contemporary American Federal Tables

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American 18th Century Tavern Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming New England small tavern table that dates to the latter part of the 18th century. The pine and maple table is in very good sturdy...
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American 18th Century Tavern Table
American 18th Century Tavern Table
H 24.5 in W 26.5 in D 18.75 in
19th Century Style Michael Taylor Ebony & Mahogany Dafne Writing Table Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
19th century Style Michael Taylor Ebony & Mahogany Dafne writing table desk. Chair and computer not included. Priced each. Additional informati...
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21st Century and Contemporary Federal Tables

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Ebony

Early 19th Century French Wooden Table
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden side table made in early 19th century France. This small table features a drawer and shelf with carved surround. Intricate scroll and leaf pat...
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19th Century French Antique Federal Tables

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Oak

Early 19th Century French Wooden Table
Early 19th Century French Wooden Table
H 13.2 in W 16.5 in D 13.4 in
Provincial French Pine Tavern Table-Bench, 19th C.
Located in New York, NY
Provincial French pine tavern table-bench, 19th c., possibly Alsatian and with Helvetic influence, with removable and/or hinged top held in place by two dowels, lifting to reveal a b...
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19th Century Antique Federal Tables

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Pine

18th Century Mahogany Torchere Stand
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive and good quality late 18th century Georgian mahogany torchere, or candle stand, having well figured detachable circular top with moulded rim, over elegant turned stem with fluted decoration, terminating on three splayed tripod legs. The actual definition of a torchere is a lamp on a tall stand made of wood or metal. However these days any kind of tall antique table...
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Jumu Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
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H 33 in W 44 in D 14 in
Previously Available Items
Oval Banded Mahogany Single Pedestal Dining Table with One Leaf
Located in Milford, NH
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20th Century American Federal Tables

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Federal Tiger Maple Drop Leaf Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
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Late 18th Century Unknown Antique Federal Tables

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Federal Tiger Maple Drop Leaf Table
Federal Tiger Maple Drop Leaf Table
H 28 in W 41 in D 15.5 in
KINDEL Oxford Federal Style Banded Mahogany Oval Dining Table
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Federal style oval dining table by Kindel Furniture, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Mahogany with banded top, their "Oxford" finish, tapered legs and spade feet. Includes three ex...
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Late 20th Century American Federal Tables

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Vintage Federal Style Stinciled Leather Top Drum Table with Drawer
Located in Germantown, MD
We are pleased to offer this gorgeous Antique Hekman Regency Style drum table from the 1940s. Hekman furniture company of Grand Rapids, MI has been around since 1922 and still makes ...
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Federal Style Pedestal Mahogany Drum Table, Circa 1940s
Located in Germantown, MD
This vintage mahogany drum table was crafted in the US around the year 1940. The mahogany looks incredible, with a rich complexion that is ...
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18th Century American Federal Period Mahogany Flip-Top Table
Located in Forney, TX
A period mahogany flip-top card games table, finely handcrafted in the late 18th / possibly early 19th century, believed Maryland or Philadelphia. Born during the time the British Colonies won their indepence from England and became the United States of America, this scare, gracefully elegant table features a well shaped hinged top, curved concave center frieze, single drawer with original wood pulls, hand carved dovetail joinery, contrasting satinwood string inlay, decorative border of satinwood and ebony banding inlay, a wooden hinged rear leg swings out to become a support when the table is extended, all rising on tapered square legs. Circa 1780-1810 Rich antique mahogany color with warm tones, beautiful grain and elegantly aged patina over the whole. Dimensions: (approx) 29.5"H, 27.25"W, 13"D, extended: 26.25"D Provenance: The Veazey family was a prominent fixture of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The initial immigrant ancestor was John Veazey, who settled on two tracts of land in Cecil County in the late seventeenth century. Thomas Ward Veazey was born on January 31, 1774 at the family estate Cherry Grove...
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18th Century American Antique Federal Tables

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Mahogany, Satinwood

Mid 19th Century Mahogany Embroidery Work Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A nice small sized embroidery work table with pull out work area side tray with the compartment tray attached to the base. accented with a brass handle. Measures: 25 inches tall, 14....
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Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Tables

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Mahogany

Early American Federal Period Mahogany Table
Located in Forney, TX
Elegant simplicity; Is what you'll find in this classically designed Federal period single drawer farm house table, circa 1800. Recently independent, yet still sharing English Regency influence, this early American post-colonial table features clean lines, rich antique mahogany color...
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Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Tables

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Bronze

Antique Martha Washington Walnut 3 Drawer Spool Sewing Cabinet Side Table Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Martha Washington style wooden sewing cabinet with two flip top end sections, three drawers, and turned spindle legs.  
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19th Century Antique Federal Tables

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Walnut

American Federal Satinwood Inlaid Mahogany Shaped Pembroke Table, Circa 1820
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This distinguished American satinwood inlaid mahogany Pembroke table features a string inlaid top above a single drawer resting on square tapering inlaid legs accented by satinwood b...
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Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Tables

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Brass

American Federal Birdseye Maple Work Table with Turned Legs and Ball Feet
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
A good Americana birdseye maple work table having a square top and solid frame resting on turned legs ending in ball feet. Likely Pennsylvania circa 1840.
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Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Tables

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Birdseye Maple

Early American Federal Two-Drawer Tiger Maple Work Table or Stand
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This American Federal tiger maple table, dating to circa 1840 is finished on all sides. I features a top with nice grain and contrast above two draw...
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Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Tables

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Brass

Federal tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Federal tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Federal tables made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Unknown pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original tables, popular names associated with this style include and Wallace Nutting. 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 tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,295 and tops out at $14,500 while the average work can sell for $3,623.

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