About Shaker Furniture
"Shakers" was the nickname given to the followers of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, which branched off from the Quakers. Shakers were self-sufficient in order to stay as far apart from the sinful world as possible. They sold furniture and crafts to make money. This sect produced some of the most sought after American antique furniture today.
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Characteristics
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Shaker furniture is functional and durable, using simple geometric shapes. It has no decorations or decorative carvings.
Types
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The most valuable are pieces made by actual Shakers from the 1800s and not "Shaker style" furniture made by contemporary artists.
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Identification
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Genuine antique Shaker furniture will look weather beaten, especially if it still has the original paint. Antique wood is lighter in weight than newer wood.
Price
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Chairs, pantry boxes, cabinets and baskets can run into thousands of dollars. According to the Journal for Antiques & Collectibles, $63,000 was paid for an authentic basket in 2003.
Considerations
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Not all Shaker furniture is worth paying top dollar for, even if it is old. It also has to be in one piece, beautiful and can still be used.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
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Comments
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The above information is very general and not true of all Shaker funiture. The furniture produced by the Kentucky Shakers can be very ornamental when compared to pieces made in the northeast. The Shakers also produced furniture into the 1870s that can easily be described as ornamental. I can also attest to the fact that it does not have to be weatherbeaten to be considered Shakers, or lightweight. Try lifting a Kentucky walnut bureau from the 1840s.
