by Wendy S. Melton

Created on: December 06, 2011   Last Updated: February 07, 2012

The Shaker society was based primarily on the concepts of order and efficiency. They believed their main focus should be on God and his works. Plain and simple was the rule of the day, allowing for little to take away from the important work the Shakers were sent to perform. These concepts hold true with their beautiful furniture and crafts. The carpenters and craftsmen created pieces of furniture that were simple in beauty but highly durable and would function in the capacity they were designed for.

The Shakers used straight lines and perfect angles to fashion pieces of furniture that were suitable to be used in any room. The decor of the Shaker home was plain with little color and modest furnishings. Dressers and tables were meant to serve a specific purpose and were used strictly for those reasons. 

Little ornamentation was used. Edges were straight with no curves or ridges. Designs were not used and knobs and handles were plain with few accents. Because the Shakers held little value in worldly possessions, they were built for function not for decoration. Because of their sturdy construction, many pieces of Shaker furniture still exist that were built in the first decades of the establishment of the Society.

The Shakers did not paint or embellish their furniture. Many pieces were coated with a thin layer of red or yellow ochre wash that sealed the wood and maintained its new appearance. Chestnut, maple and birch-wood were commonly used for their beauty and durability. Each type of wood had distinct qualities and characteristics that the Shaker craftsman would accentuate in the creation of their furniture.

Basket weaving was also a craft that the Shakers' excelled at. Many chairs had seats that were woven in basket fashion. Even though the designs within the weaving were not elaborate, their simple lines added to the beauty and durability of the piece.

It is the plainness of the Shaker pieces that draws furniture collectors and admirers. Without the clutter of excess designs and decorations, the true beauty of the piece stands out, setting it apart from other furniture. Combined with its beauty, the ability to serve its purpose also adds to its value. Pieces of Shaker furniture were designed to fulfill a purpose and be used as such.

It is this dual nature, that has made Shaker furniture one of the most popular styles for the past two hundred years.

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