Shaker Bookcases

Shaker Style

Authentic 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 honest, 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.

As you will see on 1stDibs, Shaker furniture and objects have a deep appeal for their warmth, honesty and graceful simplicity, which make them welcome almost anywhere.

Style: Shaker

Jim Rose Two Drawer/Two Door Pie Safe with Drilled Holes, Natural Rusted Patina

By Jim Rose

Located in Chicago, IL

Introduced in the early 1700's, the pie safe was an essential item in American kitchens before the introduction of refrigeration. The punched holes kept perishable goods safe from pests and were highly used up until the introduction of refrigeration in the mid 1880s. This modern take on an old tradition uses naturally rusted steel to bring a warmth to this beautifully constructed pie safe. The punched holes form an intricate floral pattern on three sides. One fixed shelf inside makes this a highly utilitarian yet stunningly beautiful addition to any room. Jim Rose Two Door - Two Drawer Punch Out Cupboard with Sill Edge, 2004 repurposed steel with natural rust patina 41h x 45.50w x 24.50d in 104.14h x 115.57w x 62.23d cm JR0268 Jim Rose b. 1966, d. 2023 Bio: Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Education: 1989 B.F.A., sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards: 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions: 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions: 2017 - 2019 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 1995 - 2016 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions: 2023 Jim Rose CODA, Gallery Victor, Chicago, IL Intersect Palm Springs, Gallery Victor, Palm Springs, CA 2020 Unseen, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2018 Art Market Hamptons, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Bridgehampton, NY Art on Paper, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Metropolitan Pavilion, NY, NY 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, Wi 2015 NEO, Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2015 ICFF, Furniture Society, Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY 2013 Vahki Revisited, The Enduring Spirit of a Craft Collection” Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2013 Fearless Furniture, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN 2013 Inaugural Exhibition, Museum Wisconsin of Art, West Bend, WI 2012 Sitting Pretty: Furniture from RAM’s Collection, Racine Art Museum, WI 2011 Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI 2010 Living with Art, Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua Institution, NY 2009 Summer in Wisconsin, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2009 High Honors, James Watrous Gallery, Madison, WI 2008 Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary, Museum of Art and Design, NY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Art Association, Jackson, WY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX (traveling exhibition) 2006 Show us Your Drawers, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Marriage of the Minds...

Category

Early 2000s American Shaker Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Jim Rose Two Drawer/Two Door Pie Safe with Drilled Holes, Natural Rusted Patina

Jim Rose - Repurposed Steel Bookcase in Natural Rusted Patina, Art Furniture

By Jim Rose

Located in Chicago, IL

This is a totally functional five shelved bookcase is made from repurposed steel, patinaed to a natural rush finish. Modeled after Shaker furniture, this modern industrial statement...

Category

1990s American Shaker Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Jim Rose - Repurposed Steel Bookcase in Natural Rusted Patina, Art Furniture

Shaker Cherry Wood Bookcases or Media Cabinets, Pair

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Shaker or Arts & Crafts style bookcases or media cabinets USA, Circa 1990s Beautiful solid cherry wood, with mullioned glass front doors. Each measures: 26.25"W...

Category

Late 20th Century American Shaker Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Cherry

Located in Milford, NH

A Fine example of a two part fruitwood breakfront china cabinet, bookcase, or server, its upper case with a burled walnut veneer central pediment ...

Category

20th Century American Shaker Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture Fruitwood Breakfront China Cabinet or Bookcase, or Server

H 87.5 in W 64 in D 15.5 in

H 59 in W 42 in D 21 in

H 105 in W 50 in D 19 in

Previously Available Items

Very Large Shaker Kitchen Haberdashery Cupboard Dresser Bookcase Paneled Oak

By Shaker Style

Located in GB

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Shaker-inspired kitchen haberdashery cupboard bookcase cabinet. A very good looking and well made vintage piece of furniture, it's...

Category

20th Century English Shaker Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Very Large Shaker Kitchen Haberdashery Cupboard Dresser Bookcase Paneled Oak

H 86.62 in W 66.93 in D 19.3 in

Shaker bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Shaker bookcases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, steel and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Shaker bookcases made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bookcases, popular names associated with this style include and Jim Rose. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,595 and tops out at $9,500 while the average work can sell for $8,500.