thumb|Shaker [[Cabinetry|cabinet]]

Shaker furniture is a distinctive style of furniture developed by the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, commonly known as Shakers, a religious sect that had guiding principles of simplicity, utility and honesty. Their beliefs were reflected in the well-made furniture of minimalist designs.

Principles of uniformity were central to Shaker culture. This could be seen in their religious and secular practice: dress, language, manners, forms of worship, and government. This emphasis on unity extended into furniture making through various influences such as the Millennial Laws, which included specific details on the furnishing of rooms and the care of furniture. Yet, these influences did not exact uniformity, and subtle variations that represent community origin can be found.

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Overview

Furniture was made thoughtfully, with functional form and proportion. Rather than using ornamentation—such as inlays, carvings, metal pulls, or veneers—which was seen as prideful or deceitful, they developed "creative solutions such as asymmetrical drawer arrangements and multipurpose forms to add visual interest." Furniture was made from readily available wood such as cherry, maple or pine lumber, which was generally stained or painted with one of the colors which were dictated by the sect, typically blue, red, yellow or green. Drawer pulls for dressers or other furniture were made of wood. Shaker furniture varies widely in price. Rarer pieces have sold at auction in the mid six figures, while others (e.g. chairs from the 1800s) can be found in the hundreds. Collections of Shaker furniture are maintained by many art and historical museums in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as in numerous private collections including the Shaker tilting chair. The underlying principles of Shaker design have given inspiration to some of the finest designers of modern furniture. Shaker ladder back chairs, for instance, deeply influenced the work of an entire generation of postwar Danish designers. Also many ideals of furniture formed around the common Shaker furniture construction. Furniture movements such as Bauhaus and mid-century modern have been influenced by Shaker design.

Notable people

  • Tabitha Babbitt, Shaker toolmaker and inventor
  • Ken Hakuta, Shaker furniture collector
  • John Kassay, author and expert on Shaker furniture
  • Isaac N. Youngs, Shaker furniture and clock maker
  • Charles Sheeler, Modernist Master and Shaker collector
  • Jasper Johns, artist and Shaker collector