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.
1972 Abstract Tapestry, Hand-Knotted Wool, Vibrant Colors, Spain
By Hernandez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Aabstract tapestry with vibrant colours from the 1970's , hand knotted , design Mariano Hernandez , Spain Hernandez's work is inspired by Mirò Cycles of monumental or intimate work...
Wool
Graphic Hand Woven Shaker Textile
By Shakers
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Late 19th or early 20th century Shaker textile with colorful and graphic horizontal bands and scalloped border. Ohio/Pennsylvania origin. Professio...
Wool
Abstract Organic Coastal Pattern Hand-Knotted Wool and Silk Wall Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
The Odyssey collection a breakthrough, three dimensional and multi textural rug collection, inspired by NASA imagery. Distressed wool and natural silk are hand-knotted to create three levels of visual and tactile finery. The collection pairs vintage textures with contemporary designs and colors. The Odyssey rug...
Wool, Silk
$1,161
H 26.38 in W 39.38 in D 0.79 in
Abstract Vibrant Wall Tapestry, Hand Knotted Wool, 1960s, Excellent
Located in London, GB
Colorful hand knotted wool hanging is probably a translation of the work of an artist. This was a time when modern artists work began to work with weavers...
Wool
$175 / item
H 0.1 in W 52 in D 37 in
Bit Map 01, Luft Tanaka, Multicolor Graphic Woven Cotton Throw Blanket, 37"x52"
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bit map series 01 by Luft Tanaka Studio A multicolored and visually striking throw blanket / wall tapestry woven out of 100 % cotton yarn. Measures: ...
Cotton
$275 / item
H 0.1 in W 80 in D 60 in
Bit Map 01, Luft Tanaka, Multicolor Graphic Woven Cotton Throw Blanket, 60"x80"
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bit map series 01 by Luft Tanaka Studio A multicolored and visually striking throw blanket / wall tapestry woven out of 100 % cotton yarn. Measures: 60" x...
Cotton
Mid Century Modern Colorful Wool Tapestry, Spain, Circa 1970
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid Century Modern Colorful Tapestry, circa 1970 By unknown Artist In original condition, with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserv...
Wool
$200 / item
H 0.1 in W 60 in D 50 in
Bit Map Series 02, Multicolor Modern Graphic Woven Wall Tapestry & Throw Blanket
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bit Map Series 02 by Luft Tanaka Studio A multicolored and visually striking throw blanket / wall tapestry woven out of 100 % cotton yarn. 50" x 60" / 127cm x 152cm (custom sizes available upon request) Reversible. Opposite side has the same design with inverted colors. The Bit Map Series is based on digital “doodles” Luft makes using Kid...
Cotton
$892Sale Price|68% Off
H 1 in W 10 in D 20 in
Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Large Linen Textile Swatch 1955 Signed, Schumacher
By Frank Lloyd Wright, Schumacher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Panel swatch dating to frank Lloyd wright’s original 1955 collection for Schumacher. "Design 102" Extremely rare original large scale fabric swatch. This swatch is also in the collec...
Linen
Sven Markelius "Pythagoras" for Knoll Textiles Drapery Panel
By Knoll, Sven Markelius
Located in Hanover, MA
Sven Markelius (1889-1970), Pythagoras drapery panel produced in 1952 by Ljungberg's Textile AB, Sweden for Knoll Associates, New York, NY. Overall dime...
Linen
Large Abstract Wool Wall Tapestry, Sweden, 1988
Located in Rīga, LV
Unique wall hanging featuring a grid of geometric motifs in warm earthy tones of ochre, rust, and brown, handwoven in linen and wool. The piece bears a label reading “Gift from the P...
Wool, Linen
$275 / item
H 0.1 in W 80 in D 60 in
Bit Map Throw Blanket 03, 100% Cotton Woven Contemporary Pixel Art, 60"x80"
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bit map throw blanket 03 by Luft Tanaka Studio A multicolored graphic throw blanket / wall tapestry woven out of 100 % cotton yarn based on digital pixel art created using an early bitmap drawing software from the 1980s and 1990s. Measures: 60" x 80" / 152cm x 203cm The Bit Map Series is based on digital “doodles” Luft makes using Kid Pix, a bitmap drawing software created by Craig Hickman in the 80s & 90s. Throughout the 90s, Kid Pix became a computer lab sensation in primary schools around the globe. Luft too, vividly remembers his first experiences with the the software in his kindergarten classroom, and enjoys creating with the software to this day. Graphic art generated with the vintage software are edited, converted and digitally woven to make a soft and cozy blanket...
Cotton
$995Sale Price|66% Off
H 34 in W 45 in D 20 in
Early 20th century Mid-Eastern Camel Head Dress Textile Wall Hanging
Located in Savannah, GA
Large size woven camel's headdress featuring much detail with bright strong colors and multiple wool tassels. This piece is difficult to photograph without a camel as a model but it ...
Cotton, Wool
$1,717
H 76.78 in W 70.87 in D 0.4 in
Large Vintage Uzbek Suzani Needlework Textile Blanket or Tapestry
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large vintage Suzani Uzbek Samarkand textile, Suzani means needlework and these embroideries are some of the most characteristic forms of tex...
Silk, Cotton
Primitive Hand-Honed, Shaker Style Farm Tool or Pitchfork
Located in Buchanan, MI
Primitive Hand Honed Shaker Style Farm Tool or Pitchfork, Very Sculptural