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.
$1,800 / item
Santa Rosa Bench in Walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Santa Rosa bench is a simple piece of seating for the well appointed interior. Its clean lines, hand turned base, and wedged through tenons amount to a design that is at home in ...
Maple, Walnut
Santa Rosa Bench in White Oak
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Santa Rosa bench is a simple piece of seating for the well appointed interior. Its clean lines, hand turned base, and wedged through tenons amount to a design that is at home in ...
Oak, Walnut
Japanese Minimalist Black Walnut Mitered Dovetail Bench
Located in Salvisa, KY
The Mitered Dovetail Bench has the quintessential Japanese minimalist aesthetic. The sleek lines are constructed using the venerable mitered dovetail joint. As attractive as they are...
Padouk, Walnut
$7,800 / item
Tranquilo Loveseat in White Oak with Spindle Back
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Everyone knows the love seat is nothing more than a glorified bench, or a miniature couch, but the fact is it's often a necessary item for city dwellers who lack the room for a secti...
Linen, Oak, Walnut
Shaker Inspired Settee, Shaker Style in Painted Repurposed Steel by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This Settee offers a revealing counterpoint within Jim Rose’s legacy, demonstrating his ability to work fluently within historical forms while subtly expanding his material and visua...
Steel
Four Splendid Early 20th Century Hand Carved High Back Bench in Wood
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid early 20th century hand-carved high back bench in wood. Four Benches are available
Wood
De La Espada High Back Black Dining Wood Bench Leather, George Nakashima Style
Located in London, England
This minimal and elegant black bench is part of the "Seating for Eating" collection designed by Ilse Crawford for De la Espada in 2009. It was inspired by traditional archetypes of ...
Copper
Pair of American Modernist Shaker-Inspired Benches
Located in Chicago, IL
A chic pair of mid-20th century American modernist Shaker-inspired pine benches with striking silhouette that bend seamlessly into any style interior. Painted black with signs of wea...
Pine
Bench in Solid English Ash and London Plane, Two Seater, Made by Loose Fit, UK
By Loose Fit
Located in Bexhill-on-Sea East Sussex, GB
Bench in Solid English Ash and London Plane, designed and handmade by Loose Fit. Both versatile and functional, this wooden bench is made from a light coloured English Ash that cont...
Wood, Hardwood, Ash
$14,773 / item
H 25.6 in W 53.94 in D 19.69 in
Apollo Loveseat, Sofa, Daybed, Modern, Sculptural, Brass Frame and Cream boucle
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The Apollo loveseat comprises of a series of playfully fine, elongated metal loops, which embrace the upholstered cushion rolls together to form its lo...
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century French Chestnut Trestle Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 20th century French bench with a simple trestle base and clean, understated lines. The chestnut wood has developed a beautiful warm patina from generations of use. Noticeable a...
Chestnut
$4,900 / item
H 19 in W 80 in D 15 in
Walnut and Corian Gallery Bench Mid-Century Modern inspired Minimal Handmade
By Maarten van Severen, George Nakashima, Figure Ground, Le Corbusier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This bench is composed of a Corian top floating on an elegantly detailed walnut frame. It is large enough for one's imagination or a group conversation. Spanning 7' long, it commands environments while subtly disappearing like its double miter joints that waterfall into the walnut grain. The bench is sawn from long hand-selected boards, carefully milled with a miter joint detail that cascades or 'waterfalls' a continuous grain from the seat down through the legs. To further accentuate the bench's slender span, we chose a double miter cut on the edge profile that almost makes the Bench's thickness at first glance disappear. The white-to-walnut bench refines the moment of repose. Its minimalism is as seductive as its touch to the senses. This bench is versatile and can just as easily define a vestibule or gallery window as it will sit aside a matching dining table. Finished in Tung oil it maintains a natural look and feel for the locally sourced black walnut. This item is available in custom sizes or finishes upon request. Due to natural materials used, the object received will be unique in material figuring and coloration. No item assembly or installation is necessary. Care for the object is minimal and can be conditioned every 2 years to maintain the original finish. All of our pieces are originally designed and handmade in the Brooklyn, NY based Figure+Ground studio; we don't believe in the separation of design and fabrication. Each item is handcrafted, serialized, and shipped with a “Certificate of Authenticity”, documenting its place in history. Own an original Figure+Ground Piece...
Oak, Walnut
$5,500
H 28 in W 59 in D 33 in
Danish 1940s Channel Back Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat in White Wool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant 1940s curved two-seat sofa or loveseat in white wool fabric. This sofa has slightly taller legs indicating a production date closer to 1950 when taller leg...
Wool, Beech
$4,283
H 37.41 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
Spanish Carved Wood Bench with Barley Twist Legs, 20th Century
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Impressive Spanish bench crafted from wood, featuring richly carved decoration and a strong traditional character. The tall backrest is decorated with elaborate carved scrollwork, u...
Hardwood
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Benches or Settees
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted and brass sabot benches or settees inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Floating cushion newly upholstered on top of solid brass ...
Wood
French Provincial Bench in Solid Oak Early 20th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
A wonderful early 20th century provincial bench in solid oak. Most probably France, 1910-1940. Utilitarian of origin, this bench features a modest yet architectural silhouette with ...
Oak
Laurel Settee, Modern Windsor Style Bench in Blackened Ash
By Carter Ellis
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A clean modernization of a Classic Windsor bench, this settee features sculpted legs and slats instead of dowels and spindles. Constructed from sustainable blackened ash, the settee is artisan crafted with traditional joinery and finished with an all-natural, 100% plant-based, hard-wax oil. "The Laurel Settee...
Wood, Ash
Spindle Back Bench in Walnut and Ash
Located in Princeton, NJ
Contemporary walnut bench handmade by Brian Holcombe utilizing the techniques of traditional Windsor chair making combined with traditional mortise and tenon joinery similar to that ...
Walnut
Early 20th Century Chinese Style Elm Wood Skinny Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Chinese Style Elm Wood Skinny Bench Measures 54" in width, 12.5" in depth, 21.5" in height.
Elm
Modern Sculpted Walnut Bench with Dovetail Joinery
Located in Mendocino, CA
These benches are created from a single slab of walnut, providing a continuity of grain that wraps around the joints and moves your eye over the piece. Exposed dovetail joinery...
Walnut
Dovetailed Corner Long Bench in Mahogany
Located in Princeton, NJ
In designing this bench I took cues from sashimono, seeking a outwardly simple aesthetic which gives way to more elaborate detail upon a closer look. In building this bench I utilize...
Mahogany
Hollywood Regency Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Daybed style settee, upholstered in Joan Miró inspired fabric, having a long, button-tufted, drop-in center cushion, flanked by padded, outscrolled ...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,990 / item
H 39.5 in W 73 in D 36 in
Alma Linen Slip Covered Loveseat Settee with White Oak Legs and Caster Wheels
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Size: 72" W x 36.3" D x 39" H (detailed dimensions below) Introducing the Alma Loveseat - a timeless piece crafted for comfort and style. Made with heavy-weight linen and slipcovered...
Linen, Foam, Wood, Oak
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Bench or Settee
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted bench or settee inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Blue velvet cushion newly upholstered . Available also a pair .
Wood
20th Century Primitive Farmhouse Pine Bench
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique American primitive farmhouse pine bench. Handcrafted in Shaker style with a pine plank top, grooved front apron, cross supports along the back and having both mortise/tenon j...
Pine
Sold
H 36 in W 77 in D 20.5 in
Original Painted Pine European Box Settle Farmhouse Bench Seat with Storage
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A lovely old European box settle in original cream paint. An early example made from solid pine, probably an old farmhouse or Shepherds bench with lift up lid for storage. In it’s o...
Pine
Santa Rosa Bench in Walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Santa Rosa bench is a simple piece of seating for the well appointed interior. Its clean lines, hand turned base, and wedged through tenons amount to a ...
Maple, Walnut
Sold
H 33.5 in W 120 in D 16.5 in
Exceptional 19th C. Hand Made Quaker Meeting House Bench, New England/Cape Cod
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exceptional 19th c. Hand made Quaker Meeting House bench, New England/Cape Cod (Shaker) Pine, Iron Measures: H: 33.5, Seat H: 17.5 D: 16.5, Seat D: 15...
Pine
Sold
H 16.5 in W 120 in
Exceptional 19th C. Hand Made Quaker Meeting House Bench, New England/Cape Cod
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exceptional 19th C. Hand made Quaker Meeting House bench, New England/Cape Cod (Shaker) Pine, Iron Measures: H: 33.5, Seat H: 17.5 D: 16.5, Seat D: 15 W...
Pine
Sold
H 32 in W 19.5 in D 44 in
Antique American Pine Windsor Style Country Farmhouse Bench Seat Shaker
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique windsor style bench. Made from pine with spindled arms and back. Great for use on a patio or inside. Measure: 44".
Pine
Sold
H 33.5 in W 120 in D 16.5 in
Exceptional 19th C. Hand Made Quaker Meeting House Bench, New England/Cape Cod
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exceptional 19th C. Hand made quaker meeting house bench, new england/cape cod Pine, Iron Measures: H: 33.5, Seat H: 17.5 D: 16.5, Seat D: 15 W: 120 in.
Pine
Santa Rosa Bench in White Oak
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Santa Rosa bench is a simple piece of seating for the well appointed interior. Its clean lines, hand turned base, and wedged through tenons amount to a design that is at home in ...
Maple, Walnut
Santa Rosa Bench in Oiled Walnut in Stock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Santa Rosa bench is a simple piece of seating for the well appointed interior. Its clean lines, hand turned base, and wedged through tenons amount to a design that is at home in ...
Maple, Walnut
Sold
H 39.5 in W 21.5 in D 60 in
Antique Shaker Farmhouse 3 Seat Settee Rattan Ladder Chair Back Bench
Located in Dayton, OH
20th century pine Shaker style bench. A three-seat with ladder back design. Features turned finials and rattan seat.
Rattan, Pine