Authentic antique Shaker furniture is hard to come by, but not exceedingly rare. “Shaker style” describes furnishings and interiors that are both warm and simple, centered on unpretentious wooden chairs, tables and cabinets without ornament or embellishment.
The term derives from the popular name for an all-but-vanished American religious sect, whose members crafted modest household furniture and objects as part of their belief in purposeful living and simplicity in all things.
Members of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing — called Shakers, derisively, because they writhed and danced in religious ecstasy during worship — arrived in the United States from England in 1774. Within 50 years, the sect had established 19 self-sufficient communities from Maine to Kentucky, where they lived pure, humble and industrious lives.
The furniture and objects the Shakers made reflected their strict rules of behavior. Pieces such as ladder- and slat-back chairs and trestle tables were painstakingly crafted from native woods like maple and cherry, using traditional methods such as mortise-and-tenon and dovetail joinery and lathe turning. They employed strong, straight lines and symmetrical proportions, and decoration of any kind — carving, veneers, inlays — was prohibited, as it would encourage the sins of pride and vanity.
The Shakers movement included some 6,000 members at its peak in the 1860s, but the group practiced celibacy and could attempt to sustain their flock only by recruiting new adherents. Modernity proved too alluring. Today only one tiny Shaker community, in Maine, still exists, though the sect’s heritage is preserved at several historical sites.
To support their communities, the Shakers sold furniture to outsiders, who appreciated its superb quality. While the “Shaker style” label is today given to many plain, simple wooden pieces, it should also denote superior construction and solid materials. As elements in interior design, Shaker furnishings work best in a quiet decor. Modest pieces such as these can become lost among more ornate works. The style is most suitable to a country home — although a Shaker chair or cabinet can make a striking counterpoint in a modernist, urban setting.
Shaker furniture and objects have a deep appeal for their warmth, honesty and graceful simplicity, which make them welcome almost anywhere.
Find antique Shaker furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Found Object Sculpture - Collected Steel Assemblage No. 07 by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Steel
Shaker Storage Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, finely crafted bentwood cedar Shaker style storage or decorative box, circa late-20th century, American. Box is a rich brown cedar wood tacked with hand forged brass nai...
Brass
Tiger Maple Framed Wall Mounted Clock By Ian Ingersoll
By Ian Ingersoll
Located in Bridgeport, CT
From Connecticut master craftsman shop Ian Ingersoll Reminiscent of the simplicity of Shaker design with particularly fine chosen Tiger Maple. Battery operated clock, lower hinged ...
Maple
Assemblage No. 08 - Found Object Minimalist Welded Steel Wall Sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Steel
Swedish Folk Art Birch-Bark Cradle Basket
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rustic and beautiful folk art birch-bark cradle basket from Sweden. The basket is crafted in a traditional Nordic artisanal style, made from woven birch bark and leather. The upper e...
Birch, Leather
19th Century Chrome Yellow Shaker Box with Original Surface
By Shakers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oval Shaker box in chrome yellow paint with four swallowtail joints. Northeastern United States, 19th century. Completely original, dry, untouched surface. Measurements: 3 1/8” ...
Maple, Pine
Oblong Wooden Basket
Located in New York, NY
Vintage basket with great shape & short, stout and sturdy handle. The basket was previously painted and has since been used so there is a worn patina of paint and wood. Great for sto...
Wicker, Wood
American Mission Heintz Art Metal Patinated Bronze Vase
Located in Queens, NY
American Mission green blue patinaed bronze vase with floral silver deposit overlay (Heintz Art Metal)
Metal
American Mission Wooden Engraved Vase
Located in Queens, NY
American Mission tapered four-sided wood vase on a square base, with a flat rim and engraved geometric design
Wood
Vintage Primitive "Hermès Orange" Painted Wood Storage Box with Original Patina
By Shaker Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Primitive Table Top Painted Wood Storage Box with Lid in "Hermès Orange" with Original Patina - Artist Unknown "a treasure to keep all of your other treasures in" "new felt ...
Wood
Large Antique Shaker Box, Trunk in Bentwood, 19th Century Scandinavia
Located in Esbjerg, DK
God only knows what this large bentwood Trunk has been through. It has scuffs, ware and patina all-over. Yet it is still very useable, stabile and decor...
Bentwood
Assemblage No. 10, Found Object Minimalist Welded Steel Wall Sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Steel
Abstract Sculpture by Jim Rose, Found Steel Objects, Custom Base, New
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Steel
Objects No. 01 - Found & collected steel objects - Original Jim Rose sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Steel
Abstract Sculpture by Jim Rose: Modern Design with Found Steel Objects
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Steel
Found Object Sculpture - Collected Steel Assemblage No. 05 by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Steel
Found Object Sculpture - Collected Steel Assemblage by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Steel
19th Century New England Bentwood Green Pantry Box with Crackled Texture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lidded pantry box with original deep aqua-green painted surfaces - further darkened by natural patina that it appears almost black (New England, USA, 19th Century). Steamed and bentw...
Metal
Minimalist Welded Steel Wall Sculpture by Jim Rose, 2011
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Steel
American Mission Bronze Spider Web Filigree Box, Hand-Crafted, USA
Located in Queens, NY
American Mission Tiffany rectangular bronze spider web filigree box with glass panel interior
Bronze
American Mission Heintz Art Metal Bronze Patinated Vase
Located in Queens, NY
American Mission bronze with brown patina loving cup vase with silver deposit overlay (Heintz Art Metal)
Metal
American Mission Drip Glazed Earthenware Urn
Located in Queens, NY
American Mission style earthenware urn with brown speckled glazed body with a gray-blue drip glaze on the top (impressed signature on base)
Earthenware
Antique Victorian mahogany storage box
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian mahogany storage box having a quality antique mahogany storage box with red interior. D. 1860
Mahogany
Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock
Located in Norwood, NJ
Gilt bronze mounted continental Porcelain clock. Porcelain and gilt bronze mounted continental clock. Loius XVI style. Figural and floral painted scenes. Features open escapement...
Gold Plate, Bronze
19th Century French Folk Art Storage Basket
Located in Allerum, SE
Unusually large 19th century French folk art storage basket. coiled construction with straw and bark. Ca 1890 France.
Straw
Vintage Chinese Wicker Hen Baskets, Handwoven Rattan, 1970s Folk Art
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Pair of vintage Chinese wicker hen baskets, circa 1970s, handwoven in natural rattan, wicker, and bamboo reed with carved and painted wood details. Each small-scale hen features a ro...
Rattan
Junghans Wall Clock
Located in Vienna, AT
Wood box, clock face with Arabic numbers, restored new battery movement.
Wood
Mid-century Brass Frame Wall Clock by Atlanta, 1960s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-century Brass Frame Wall Clock by Atlanta, 1960s, Germany It is working medium battery Measurements : 24 cm x 24 cm x 6 cm Please do not hesitate to ask us if you have any que...
Brass
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Bowl
Located in Bozeman, MT
Swedish Wabi-Sabi ;) 19th century Swedish folk art turned bowl. Very well made, light, thin walls and with fantastic patination, dated 1868.
Wood
19th Century Small Swedish Folk Art Woven Basket
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish small folk art basket made during the mid 1800s. The basket has the original paint. Handmade from tree roots that are braided. Good antique condition consistent with...
Organic Material
Wooden Octagonal Tramp or Folk Art Basket, 20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An octagonal decorative wooden tramp art basket. Created from popsicle sticks, this basket is lightweight, perfect for holding remotes or other odds and en...
Wood
19th CENTURY JEWELRY BOX WITH STONES
Located in Firenze, FI
Refined and unique jewelry box made of carved wood, covered with hand-embossed and silver-plated metal veneer. The piece features riveted hinges and a tempera-lacquered interior in s...
Stone, Metal
Gilt Wood Framed Swedish Wall Cartel Clock
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 20th century giltwood framed Swedish hanging wall cartel clock. This clock is good vintage working condition. Minor wear consistent with age / use. Maker's mark inscribed. The cl...
Brass
$1,765
H 14.97 in Dm 22.05 in
Large Antique Northern Swedish Woven Birch Root Decorative Basket with Handle
Located in Kramfors, SE
Large antique root basket from northern Sweden. The basket is woven with birch root around the 1880s and is unusually large. Good vintage condition with some minor marks and traces o...
Birch
Sold
H 10.75 in W 3.75 in D 7.75 in
2 Antique Lambert Hitchcock American Pewter Plate Candle Holder Sconces 11"
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare antique L. Hitchcock early American pewter plate sconce candle holders. Dimensions: 7.75" x 3.75" x 10.75" (Width x Depth x Height)
Pewter
Sold
H 28.5 in W 12 in D 12.75 in
Found Object Sculpture - Collected Steel Assemblage No. 3 by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Steel
Cedar Storage Boxes
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of three (3) finely crafted bentwood cedar Shaker style (nesting) storage or decorative boxes, circa late-20th century, American. Boxes, each made of beautiful, grain...
Brass
6 Pc, Vintage Maple Stacked Set of Shaker Nesting Boxes
Located in Atlanta, GA
American, 20th century, A finely crafted set of 6 Shaker storage boxes. Each box made of beautiful grained maple wood and tacked with hand forged iron nails. Boxes range from 3" w (...
Maple
Sold
H 4.25 in W 10 in D 7 in
6 Vintage G. Loyd Handmade Bentwood Cedar Nesting Pantry Boxes Shaker Primitive
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of 6 vintage oval, bentwood cedar Shaker / folk art style, nesting pantry boxes. Signed G. Loyd. Largest - 10” x 7” x 4.25” / Smallest - 3.75” x 2.375” x 1.375” (Width x Depth...
Cedar
Sold
H 3 in W 5.25 in D 7.5 in
7 Antique & Vintage Painted Folk Art Bentwood Boxes Shaker Pantry Storage
Located in Dayton, OH
Seven vintage and antique 20th century Shaker style miniature bentwood boxes painted in a variety of colors, two forming the image of a Halloween j...
Bentwood, Paint
Antique American Table Top Shaker Spice Box circa 1800’s
Located in Wilmington, DE
Antique Shaker Spice Box Offered is a unique antique Shaker spice box. The piece is from the 1800’s. The piece features a lift up lid as well a single drawer. The drawer is divide...
Pine
Turn of the Century Century Shaker "Picket Fence" Basket
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique turn of the Century Century Shaker "Picket Fence" Basket, circa 1900, a rectangular work basket made of tulip - poplar wood with broad independent staves nailed to solid wood bottom and interconnected by heavy gauge wire, with opposing swing handles of twisted wire with turned wooden handles. Basket is in original dark red stain. This type of basket was only made in the Southern Shaker villages; this one was likely made in the South Union Community in Kentucky (1807 - 1922). Intended for pretty heavy duty work, such baskets were typically used for carrying laundry and gathering wood...
Wire
Set of 11 Shaker Style Bent Wood Boxes by James Lynch, 2001
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Set of eleven stacking handmade Shaker boxes signed James Lynch for the Dahl Company out of Portland, Maine circa 2001. These were purchased new in 2001 and were never taken out of t...
Wood
Shaker Small Covered Oval Box, circa 1890
By Shakers
Located in New York, NY
A single lap-jointed bent-wood Shaker oval pantry box with fine old patina. The laps are secured with iron tacks, while the top and bottom boards are wooden pegged. The wood is richl...
Wood
Shaker Four Fingered Mt. Lebanon Oval Pantry Box, Late 19th Century
By Mt. Lebanon Shaker Community
Located in New York, NY
This elegantly proportioned covered oval Shaker storage or pantry box has a wonderful dry patina that has taken 150 years to achieve. Found on a pantry shelf...
Wood
Early 20th Century Shaker Sewing Basket
By Shakers
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 20th Century Shaker Sewing Basket from the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester, Maine. An early oval band box made from split poplar w...
Silk, Poplar