Skip to main content

Shaker Furniture

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.

1
to
1
1
1
1
10,100
1,319
1,131
334
290
218
205
158
117
104
84
82
54
53
52
51
43
33
17
59
56
19
19
17
2
3
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Shaker
Period: 1930s
1930s American Shaker Rag Rug ( 3'6" x 14'4" - 107 x 437 )
Located in New York, NY
1930s American Shaker Rag Rug ( 3'6" x 14'4" - 107 x 437 )
Category

1930s American Vintage Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Related Items
Mid-20th Century Handmade American Rag Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage American rag rug handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 3' 6" x 5' 8" North American rugs & carpets: North American has never developed a unified handmade rug tradition, but rather it is the unassimilated confluence of several. From Mexico comes the Saltillo serape wearing blanket, and this stimulates the Navajo and Rio Grande (Colorado) weavers, first as blankets, then as rugs. The thrifty habits of rural America gave rise to the New England (and Western Canadian) hooked rug types, while the farmers of the Midwest recycled their disused garments into braided and rag rugs. The closest to a real ongoing tradition are the Southwestern (New Mexican) Navajo rugs. By the 1860s the native tribes were weaving wearing blankets with wool from the Spanish churro sheep. These were in stripe design, with combinations of undyed wool with cochineal reds and indigo blues. The multi-phase “Chief’s Blankets” from the 1870s-80s are a natural outgrowth of these. Machine spun red wool from Germantown in Pennsylvania appeared in the 1870s with a bright red hitherto unobtainable. The weavers loved it and blankets appeared with bright reds, generally aniline, in “eye dazzler” patterns. Anglo traders established posts beginning in the 1890s. Navajo weavings were perfect accompaniments not only for Western-themed decors, but for East Coast apartments, only they needed to be thicker and more rug like to be truly accepted. The traders brought Caucasian and Turkish village rugs to copy, borders were introduced and central medallions devised. The weavers continued to create on vertical looms, with a shared warp (dovetailing) weft structure to avoid slits. The warps were cotton string. Sizes were generally scatters, but occasionally a special order came in, hence antique room size Navajos are very rare and very pricey. Distinct village/pueblo styles developed. Among the best are: Two Grey Hills (considered the tightest, closest of all Navajo weaving), Crystal Springs, and Ganado. Certain new patterns such as the “Storm pattern” with jagged lightning bolts emanating from a dark cloud developed. The Yei rug with dancing Kachina doll figures became popular. The palette has been expanded beyond the classic grey, tan, dark brown, and cream natural wool combination to again include reds, blues, and greens. Navajo pictorials include American flags, trains, and automobiles, domestic and local scenes and scenery. Individual artist weavers now command gallery shows and correspondingly elevated prices. There are several levels of Navajo work, and antique and vintage scatters with simple flat designs, medium weaves, and tritonal palettes, and in good floor worthy condition are still available reasonably. The Native American weaving tradition extends into Colorado with two-piece scatters with sharp sawtooth medallions and striped end borders, with wool tapestry weave on cotton warps. These descend from the Saltillo blankets...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Yarn

Mid-20th Century Handmade American Folk Rag Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage American folk rag rug in accent rug format handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 5' 10" x 8' 7".
Category

Mid-20th Century American Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pastel Large Room Size Rag Rug
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early wool rag rug with a small fringe at each end of the rug. This rug is in great as found condition and recently prof. cleaned. It is 99" x 118" or a 8 x 9. It is so rare to find ...
Category

1920s American Vintage Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage American Rag Rug in Stripe Pattern in Ivory, Blue, Pink, Green, Red
Located in Barrington, IL
This beautiful multicolor American Rag Area Rug has a very modern design format and can be incorporated into any modern interior design project. The rug is formed of a series of bands in natural earth tones very similar to Scandinavian kilims from the late 1800s. The colors include blue, brown, green, pink, red, ochre, purple, yellow, and variations on those colors! Fantastically modern and beautiful that can be the foundation piece of any interior design plan. Ideal rug for mid-century modern or country interior design plans. This item can be resized and custom finished including serge the sides and bind the ends if desired. Dimensions: 4' 7" x 6’ 10” Date of Manufacture: 2nd Quarter of the 1900s Place of Origin: United States Material: cotton Condition: Good American Rag Rugs, Antique Rugs, Antique Rugs, Vintage Oriental Rugs, Handwoven Rugs, Vintage Artisan Rugs, Antique Handmade Rugs, Vintage Pale Blue Rugs, Vintage Rag Rugs, Vintage Wool Rag Rugs, Antique American Rag Runners, Cottage Rugs, Rustic Rugs, Flat Woven Rugs, Rag Runner, Amish Runners...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Shaker Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Mid-20th Century Handmade American Rag Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage American Rag rug in throw/scatter size handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 3' 3" x 6' 5".
Category

Mid-20th Century American Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool

Handmade Antique American Hooked Rug, 1930s, 1C341
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Handmade antique American hooked rug in original condition. The rug is deep burgundy shade with primitive design. The medallion is in very unusual interesting shape and in beige colo...
Category

Early 20th Century American Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Native American Navajo Large Geometric Grey Ivory Rug, circa 1920s-1930s
Located in New York, NY
This a large, and therefore rare, antique native American Navajo Geometric rug, circa 1920-1930s in grey and ivory and measures 6.8 x 10.2 ft. From the inception of weaving by the...
Category

1920s North American Vintage Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool

Monumental Late 19th Century American Shaker Rag Rug (139" x 97")
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Late 19th Century American Shaker Rag Rug (139" x 97"),, Unusual colors / pattern. minor separtion , sections, repairs,,
Category

1890s American Antique Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool, Fabric

American Penny Rug, 1930 / 40s
Located in Istanbul, TR
an attractive example to American wool penny rugs.
Category

Early 20th Century American Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool

American Penny Rug, 1930 / 40s
American Penny Rug, 1930 / 40s
Free Shipping
W 25.99 in L 53.55 in
Mid-20th Century Handmade Large Square American Rag Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage American large square American rag rug handmade during the mid-20th century.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool, Yarn

Antique Red Grey Black Geometric Native American Navajo Tribal Rug, circa 1930s
Located in New York, NY
From the inception of weaving by the Navajos, circa 1700, weaving has provided an important economic benefit to the tribe and a fine outlet for their artistic talents. Navajo textile...
Category

1930s North American Vintage Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool

American Hooked Rug
Located in New York, NY
A handmade one-of-a-kind American Hooked rug from the 3rd quarter of the 20th century w Measures: 4'4'' x 8'6''.
Category

20th Century Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wool

American Hooked Rug
American Hooked Rug
Free Shipping
W 52 in L 102 in
Previously Available Items
Early Kittinger 'Labelled' Oak Sideboard/ Cabinet
Located in East Hampton, NY
With two large drawers for storage and many wonderful details such as butterfly inlay to top, spindle legs and stretchers. This beauty is a very early Kittinger creation.
Category

1930s American Vintage Shaker Furniture

Materials

Oak

Fritz Hansen Eftfl Kobenhavn Church Chairs
Located in Den Haag, NL
Fritz Hansen eftfl Kobenhavn church chairs. These church chairs have frames of beech. The seats are of original woven paper cord. They are marked with a...
Category

1930s Danish Vintage Shaker Furniture

Materials

Beech

Fritz Hansen Eftfl Kobenhavn Church Chairs
Fritz Hansen Eftfl Kobenhavn Church Chairs
H 33.47 in W 20.48 in D 18.12 in
Primitive Shaker Tray or Platter
Located in East Hampton, NY
A beautifully worn Primitive tray in diamond shape. This is great for fruit, cheeses or keys catcher.
Category

1930s American Vintage Shaker Furniture

Materials

Wood

Primitive Shaker Tray or Platter
Primitive Shaker Tray or Platter
H 1.5 in W 30.75 in D 11.25 in
Early American Spindle Back, Shaker Style Rocker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Uniquely scaled American pine rocking chair.
Category

1930s American Vintage Shaker Furniture

Shaker furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Shaker furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include rugs and carpets, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Shaker furniture made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Jim Rose, Carter Ellis, Charleston Forge, and Ercol. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $25,000 while the average work can sell for $3,200.

Recently Viewed

View All