Federal Furniture
In the early decades the new country was still defining its government and traditions so the term federal refers specifically to the period after the revolutionary war.
Federal furniture. Federal furniture was at its peak between 1780 1820 in american society and it derived its main inspiration from the neoclassical style that was simultaneously the trend in europe. Shop federal furniture at 1stdibs the world s largest source of federal and other authentic period furniture. Home about us corporate structure board of directors corporate info investors core businesses contact us career core businesses contact us career.
Thomas schwenke is a recognized and respected antique furniture expert with experience spanning over 40 years. The term federal references the period following the revolutionary war rather than one specific style of furniture. He is an acknowledged authority on american antique furniture and the premier dealer expert in american federal furniture in particular.
Characterized by symmetry and lightness federal furniture must have been a shock when first shown and even today it looks quite modern rivaling current studio furniture. Federal furniture refers to american furniture produced in the federal period which lasted from approximately 1789 to 1823. In contrast the federal neoclassical style changed everything and quickly.
Federal style furniture is the furniture produced in the federal period which began after the united states gained independence and continued until 1820. It is usually refined and well crafted with clean edges and straight lines. Antique reproduction furniture from the federalist is designed with a handsome luxurious elegance that evokes the late 18th and 19th century design in a way that no other federal style furniture company can replicate.
Notable furniture makers who worked in the federal style included duncan phyfe and charles honoré lannuier it was influenced by the georgian and adam styles and was superseded by the american empire style. The federal furniture style is known as. Pieces in this style are characterized by their sharply.
Gone for the most part is carving and what carving remains is more delicate. Federal furniture tends to emphasize basic geometric shapes generally squares circles triangles and rectangles.