For more than 150 years, Shaker furniture has symbolized a desire for simplicity, modesty and understatement. First produced more by Shaker craftsmen in England, the furniture has changed little in design. Uniform lines, dovetailing, and simple grace continue to distinguish Shaker furniture. Devotees can find historic Shaker furniture in museums throughout the United States. Shaker style remains popular as today's buyers look for furnishings that reflect a simpler lifestyle. Does this Spark an idea?
Philosophy
Pacifism, equality, modesty and simplicity framed the lives of early Shakers. Driven to search for harmony and order, they turned their woodworking skills into chairs, tables, cabinets, cupboards and other furniture items that reflected their belief that not only is simple more beautiful, but also it is more useful. Each piece of furniture was made for God. "The peculiar grace of a Shaker chair is due to the fact it was built by someone capable of believing that an angel might come down and sit on it," said Trappist monk Thomas Merton.
History
Early Shakers sailed to the United States for religious freedom.
Shaker history goes back to 1747 in Manchester, England. The behavior of Shaker followers--shaking, trembling and gyrating during their worship services--earned the group its name. After religious persecution, a group of Shakers came to America in 1774 hoping for acceptance. By the mid-19th century, approximately 5,000 Shakers resided in the United States. As of 2010, the only remaining active Shaker community is at Sabbathday Lake in Maine.
Shaker Style
Shaker furniture is still crafted following the same principles of simplicity and understatement that first distinguished it so many years ago. Look for straight, uniform lines, nothing fancy or ornate. There are no nails, screws or braces. Instead, traditional tenon and mortise joinery, as well as dovetailing, is used to fit pieces of the furniture together.
A distinguishing trait of a Shaker chair is its intricately woven seat. Shaker cabinets and cupboards reflect the dedication to order and tidiness, with numerous functional drawers and immaculate detail.
Chairs
Antique collectors especially seek out Shaker chairs, considered to best represent Shaker values of order, simplicity and modesty. The best-known chair style is the "slat-back," or straight chair, first crafted in 1850 in the Shaker community at Canterbury, N.H. These chairs were created for community use and featured tall back posts, rounded finials (the ornaments at the top of the chair) and curved slats.
Shaker Museums
Historic Shaker furniture is on display at The Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, Mass. You can participate in woodworking workshops or attend demonstrations at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg, Ky., as well as The Shaker Village at Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester, Maine.
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