Federal Mirrors
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.
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1920s American Vintage Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 20th Century North American Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1820s American Antique Federal Mirrors
Gold Leaf
19th Century Antique Federal Mirrors
Wood
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Giltwood
1810s American Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mahogany, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Wood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Mahogany, Paint
Early 20th Century Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
1880s American Antique Federal Mirrors
Plaster
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Metal
19th Century Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Federal Mirrors
Wood, Mirror
Early 1800s American Antique Federal Mirrors
Gesso, Mirror, Ebony, Giltwood
1830s Unknown Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Giltwood, Mirror, Mahogany
20th Century Italian Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Mahogany, Satinwood, Giltwood
Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Glass, Giltwood
20th Century North American Federal Mirrors
Wood
Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mahogany, Giltwood
1820s American Antique Federal Mirrors
Ebony, Giltwood, Wood, Mirror, Gesso
Early 19th Century Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror
21st Century and Contemporary Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Mahogany, Giltwood
17th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Gold, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Giltwood, Wood, Mirror
1940s European Vintage Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Giltwood, Mirror
Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mahogany, Paint, Mirror
20th Century North American Federal Mirrors
Wood
Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Wood, Mahogany, Paint
Early 20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Wood, Mahogany, Paint
1820s American Antique Federal Mirrors
Mahogany
1820s American Antique Federal Mirrors
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Mahogany
Late 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
Early 1900s English Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Late 18th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century European Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century American Antique Federal Mirrors
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century North American Federal Mirrors
Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Federal Mirrors
Mirror, Cherry
Late 20th Century American Federal Mirrors
Mahogany, Mirror