How do I identify early American furniture?

To identify early American furniture, you can evaluate your piece on your own or seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. Although many pieces from the Colonial era are unmarked, double-checking your furniture for signatures, stamps and labels is still a good first step. Using trusted online resources, you can research any markings to determine if the maker was active in America during the 16th and early 17th centuries. When identifying unmarked furniture, it's generally necessary to consider the style and details of the piece. Due to its handcrafted origins, early American furniture tends to have visible tool marks and irregularities in its carvings. Early American furnishings tended to be simple in style but often had one or two refined details, such as cabriole legs. Looking at images of authentic early American furniture can be helpful when making an identification. On 1stDibs, find a collection of 18th-century American furniture.

What is the early American furniture style called?

The early American furniture style is often called the Colonial style. During the 17th century, American craftsmen drew inspiration from medieval and Renaissance furniture. By the 18th century, the William and Mary style that had emerged in England began to heavily influence the American Colonial style. Characteristics of Colonial-style furniture include turned legs, ornamental carvings and richly finished cherry, walnut and mahogany wood. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Colonial-style furniture.

Early American Maple

Colonial American Dining Table

Maple Chippendale

18th Century Tiger Maple Furniture

Maple Secretary

Maple Drop Leaf Dining Table

Antique Tiger

Tiger Table

American Spindle

American Empire Cherry & Tiger Maple 7 Drawer High Chest With Backsplash c1830

$1,440Sale Price|20% Off

American Empire Cherry & Tiger Maple 7 Drawer High Chest With Backsplash c1830

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique American Empire high chest, crafted circa 1830, featuring a striking combination of cherry and tiger maple woods. The construction showcases cherry wood for the frame and ...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Cherry

Stickley Brothers Antique Early American Green Lacquered Side Chair, Circa 1920s

$495

Stickley Brothers Antique Early American Green Lacquered Side Chair, Circa 1920s

By Stickley Brothers

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique American Colonial or Country Cottage style side chair, dining chair, or desk chair By Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1920s Solid maple, in original green lacquere...

Category

Vintage 1920s American American Colonial Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Maple, Lacquer

Early 20th-Century American Art Deco Stained Glass Panels in Custom Screen

$4,500

Early 20th-Century American Art Deco Stained Glass Panels in Custom Screen

Located in Chicago, IL

This exquisite four-panel stained glass screen divider embodies the design sensibilities of the Art Deco era. The outer panels feature iconic flapper designs, capturing the vibrant s...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Art Glass, Macassar, Maple

Early American Classical Empire Period Flame Mahogany Sewing Stand Work Table

$1,895

Early American Classical Empire Period Flame Mahogany Sewing Stand Work Table

Located in Forney, TX

A rare fine quality Federal period American Empire flame mahogany sewing stand work table from the early 19th century.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Empire Side Tables

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Mahogany

Early American Federal Period Primitive One-Drawer Work Table c. 1795-1815

$3,850

Early American Federal Period Primitive One-Drawer Work Table c. 1795-1815

Located in Louisville, KY

A remarkable early American Federal-period primitive work table or candle stand dating from approximately 1795–1815.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century American Primitive Tables

Materials

Maple, Pine

Period Baltimore Classical Curly Maple Console Games Table

$7,500

Period Baltimore Classical Curly Maple Console Games Table

Located in Forney, TX

A fine Federal period American Classical maple morphing table from the early 19th century.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Game Tables

Materials

Maple

15 Early Juggling Pins, Great Collection For Art Installation. Great Patina.

$275 / item

15 Early Juggling Pins, Great Collection For Art Installation. Great Patina.

Located in Buchanan, MI

Set of 15 Vintage Wood Juggling Pins. Some are marked as being either 2 or 2 1/2 lbs. The lot has scratches and signs of wear or use. Overall, the lot looks to be in good condition....

Category

Early 20th Century American American Classical Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Maple

Pair of 19th Century Maple Side Chairs with Rush Seats

$1,160Sale Price|20% Off

Pair of 19th Century Maple Side Chairs with Rush Seats

Located in New York, NY

A pair of 19th century maple side chairs with rush seats. Seats with remnants of paint. Frames tightened. Chairs touched up & polished.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Side Chairs

Materials

Rush, Maple

Colonial American Armchair by Herman de Vries for Sikes Furniture Company

$1,260Sale Price|20% Off

Colonial American Armchair by Herman de Vries for Sikes Furniture Company

By Sikes Chair Company, Herman de Vries

Located in San Diego, CA

A Craftsman armchair by Herman de Vries in solid maplewood; hand-hewn spindles, shaped seat on splayed squared legs. Crafted in the 1930s. Original condition shows some wear and scra...

Category

Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Armchairs

Materials

Maple

American Hepplewhite Virginian Secretary Chest with Civil War Provenance

$16,000

American Hepplewhite Virginian Secretary Chest with Civil War Provenance

By George Hepplewhite

Located in Dallas, TX

PRESENTING a FANTASTIC and HISTORIC Early 19C American Hepplewhite Virginian Secretary Chest with OUTSTANDING Provenance.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Historical Memora...

Materials

Brass

Shaker Style Ebonized Maple Sideboard Buffet Server or Console Table

$2,200

Shaker Style Ebonized Maple Sideboard Buffet Server or Console Table

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Early American or Shaker style ebonized maple sideboard, buffet server, or console table USA, Late 20th Century Measures: 55.75"W x 17.5"D x 30.25"H.

Category

Late 20th Century American Shaker Console Tables

Materials

Maple, Lacquer

Pair of American 19th Century Grain Painted Cannonball Twin Beds

$4,800 / set

Pair of American 19th Century Grain Painted Cannonball Twin Beds

Located in Essex, MA

Pair of American Federal Grain Painted and Decorated Twin Cannonball Beds. Most likely Maine. Circa 1830. Retaining original paint decoration of the Federal Period Mixed woods, ma...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Maple

Mounted Half Block Ship Model of a 1936s America's Cup Sloop the Endeavour II

$563Sale Price|24% Off

Mounted Half Block Ship Model of a 1936s America's Cup Sloop the Endeavour II

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Early Mounted Half Block Ship Model of a 1936s America's Cup Sloop This half block miniature boat model is dedicated to Joe and has quiet the provenance: "To Joe: ENDEAVOUR II J...

Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Models and Miniatures

Materials

Cherry, Maple

Cabinet Makers Work Bench, as Sideboard, Serving Table or Bar

$4,160Sale Price|20% Off

Cabinet Makers Work Bench, as Sideboard, Serving Table or Bar

Located in New York, NY

Functional early 20th century cabinet makers work bench as sideboard, serving table or bar.

Category

Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Serving Tables

Materials

Maple

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Early American Maple For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal early American maple for your home. Each early American maple for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, maple and hardwood. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect early American maple — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. An early American maple is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Neoclassical, Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one early American maple that is appealing in its simplicity, but Herman de Vries, Willett Furniture Company and American Cabinet Company produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Early American Maple?

An early American maple can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,500, while the lowest priced sells for $425 and the highest can go for as much as $26,000.

Questions About Early American Maple

How do I identify early American furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
To identify early American furniture, you can evaluate your piece on your own or seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. Although many pieces from the Colonial era are unmarked, double-checking your furniture for signatures, stamps and labels is still a good first step. Using trusted online resources, you can research any markings to determine if the maker was active in America during the 16th and early 17th centuries. When identifying unmarked furniture, it's generally necessary to consider the style and details of the piece. Due to its handcrafted origins, early American furniture tends to have visible tool marks and irregularities in its carvings. Early American furnishings tended to be simple in style but often had one or two refined details, such as cabriole legs. Looking at images of authentic early American furniture can be helpful when making an identification. On 1stDibs, find a collection of 18th-century American furniture.
What is the early American furniture style called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
The early American furniture style is often called the Colonial style. During the 17th century, American craftsmen drew inspiration from medieval and Renaissance furniture. By the 18th century, the William and Mary style that had emerged in England began to heavily influence the American Colonial style. Characteristics of Colonial-style furniture include turned legs, ornamental carvings and richly finished cherry, walnut and mahogany wood. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Colonial-style furniture.