Shaker Furniture
Simple, Functional and Beautiful
At one time there were nineteen Shaker communities in the United States, with over six thousand
members. But, today there is only one tiny community of Shakers with a small number of followers
in Maine. The Shaker were known for their inventiveness, their craftmanship, their hardwork, and
their spiriuality. Their lives were characterized by communal living and strictly obeying the
laws that governed every aspect of daily life. They sought to produce all the goods needed for
their use and to produce income to purchase land. They are best known for their simple, functional,
and beautiful furnishings and tools.
The American Shakers designed furniture without adornment, thereby creating some of the most
beautiful woodwork in the world. Their strive for perfection on earth has left us a lasting
testament to their industry, their furniture. By looking at the unadorned Shaker chairs and barns,
it is evident that the Shakers made their heavenly ideals a part of everything they made. Shaker
furniture and architecture is admire today for its simplicity, honesty, grace, utility and
sturdiness. The clean, elegant lines and functionality of the Shaker furniture has made it one
of the most popular and enduring styles of furniture.
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