Shaker Design: Out of this World
The Shaker movement, reaching 6,000 members just before the Civil War, was the most successful utopian society in American history. Fleeing persecution in Manchester, England, the Shakers arrived in 1774 and established 19 villages across the U.S. from Maine to Kentucky over the next 50 years.
Guided by principles of utility, honesty, and order, the Shakers' belief system shaped their work, worship, and the goods they created for both their communities and sale to outsiders. This book showcases exceptional examples of Shaker craftsmanship, including furniture, household objects, textiles, and religious drawings, while exploring their design philosophy and spiritual underpinnings. Contributors examine Shaker design's simplicity and functionality, its contrast to American Fancy design, and its broader cultural significance.
The enduring influence of Shaker aesthetics is also discussed, highlighting its impact on modern and contemporary designers such as George Nakashima, Roy McMakin, Thomas Moser, and Scandinavian furniture makers. Through their focus on form and function, the Shakers left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire design today.
The Shaker movement, reaching 6,000 members just before the Civil War, was the most successful utopian society in American history. Fleeing persecution in Manchester, England, the Shakers arrived in 1774 and established 19 villages across the U.S. from Maine to Kentucky over the next 50 years.
Guided by principles of utility, honesty, and order, the Shakers' belief system shaped their work, worship, and the goods they created for both their communities and sale to outsiders. This book showcases exceptional examples of Shaker craftsmanship, including furniture, household objects, textiles, and religious drawings, while exploring their design philosophy and spiritual underpinnings. Contributors examine Shaker design's simplicity and functionality, its contrast to American Fancy design, and its broader cultural significance.
The enduring influence of Shaker aesthetics is also discussed, highlighting its impact on modern and contemporary designers such as George Nakashima, Roy McMakin, Thomas Moser, and Scandinavian furniture makers. Through their focus on form and function, the Shakers left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire design today.
The Shaker movement, reaching 6,000 members just before the Civil War, was the most successful utopian society in American history. Fleeing persecution in Manchester, England, the Shakers arrived in 1774 and established 19 villages across the U.S. from Maine to Kentucky over the next 50 years.
Guided by principles of utility, honesty, and order, the Shakers' belief system shaped their work, worship, and the goods they created for both their communities and sale to outsiders. This book showcases exceptional examples of Shaker craftsmanship, including furniture, household objects, textiles, and religious drawings, while exploring their design philosophy and spiritual underpinnings. Contributors examine Shaker design's simplicity and functionality, its contrast to American Fancy design, and its broader cultural significance.
The enduring influence of Shaker aesthetics is also discussed, highlighting its impact on modern and contemporary designers such as George Nakashima, Roy McMakin, Thomas Moser, and Scandinavian furniture makers. Through their focus on form and function, the Shakers left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire design today.
