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Shaker Tapestries

Shaker Style

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.

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Style: Shaker
Graphic Hand Woven Shaker Textile
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...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Shaker Tapestries

Materials

Wool

1972 abstract tapestry by Mariano Hernandez
Located in Brooklyn, NY
abstract tapestry with vibrant colours from the 1970's , hand knotted , design Mariano Hernandez , Spain Hernandez's work is inspired by Mirò
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Shaker Tapestries

Materials

Wool

Tere Tapestry
By Tere
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Tere tapestry from the 1970's
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20th Century Venezuelan Shaker Tapestries

Materials

Wool

Tere Tapestry
Tere Tapestry
$2,400 Sale Price
20% Off
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Shaker tapestries for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Shaker tapestries for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage tapestries created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Shaker tapestries 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 tapestries, popular names associated with this style include and Shakers. 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 tapestries differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,600 and tops out at $4,600 while the average work can sell for $4,600.

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