Shaker: American Communal Furniture & Crafts
Shaker refers to the furniture, boxes, tools, textiles, and household objects produced by the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, a communal religious sect active in America from the 1780s through the early 20th century. Shaker design is defined by its radical simplicity, superb joinery, and devotion to function over ornament. These qualities have made Shaker objects among the most admired and collected examples of American craftsmanship, with important pieces regularly achieving six-figure auction results.
History & Communities
Founded by Mother Ann Lee, who emigrated from England to New York in 1774, the Shakers established 19 major communities from Maine to Kentucky. Peak membership reached approximately 6,000 in the 1840s. Each community maintained workshops producing furniture, oval boxes, baskets, seeds, brooms, and textiles for internal use and commercial sale. Key producing communities include New Lebanon and Watervliet (New York), Canterbury and Enfield (New Hampshire), Hancock (Massachusetts), and Pleasant Hill (Kentucky).
Identification Features
- Joinery: Mortise-and-tenon, dovetail, and peg construction; never nailed or screwed in early work
- Wood: Cherry, maple, pine, butternut, and birch; often mixed within a single piece
- Finish: Original stains in red, yellow, blue, or green wash; clear varnish on some later pieces
- Hardware: Turned wooden knobs rather than metal pulls; distinctive mushroom-shaped pegs
- Proportions: Deliberately light and attenuated forms; designed for ease of moving and cleaning
- Peg rails: Characteristic wall-mounted rails for hanging chairs, mirrors, and tools
Major Forms & Price Ranges
| Form | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oval box (single, original finish) | $200 | $800 | $3,000 |
| Nested oval box set (3-5 boxes) | $1,500 | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| Side chair (Mt. Lebanon #7 style) | $500 | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Rocking chair (original finish/tape) | $1,000 | $4,000 | $15,000 |
| Blanket chest (painted) | $2,000 | $8,000 | $40,000 |
| Work table or sewing desk | $3,000 | $12,000 | $60,000 |
| Tall case of drawers | $5,000 | $30,000 | $150,000+ |
| Counter or store cupboard | $8,000 | $40,000 | $200,000+ |
| Seed or herb drying rack | $300 | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| Woven poplar basket | $150 | $500 | $2,000 |
Condition Factors
Original surface is the single most important value determinant in Shaker furniture. A piece retaining its first coat of paint or stain can be worth 5-10 times a stripped or refinished example. Check for evidence of original color under later paint by examining wear points, drawer interiors, and backsides. Replaced seats on chairs (woven tape or rush) are acceptable if done sympathetically but original seating material adds significant value. Structural modifications, added hardware, or cut-down pieces reduce desirability substantially. Community-specific construction details help establish provenance.
Collecting Tips
The market for Shaker antiques operates at two distinct tiers: documented pieces from known communities with exhibition history command museum-level prices, while unattributed or commercial Shaker pieces (especially post-1870 production chairs and boxes) remain accessible. The Mt. Lebanon community's production chairs, sold through catalogs starting in the 1870s, are the most commonly found Shaker seating and offer an affordable entry point. Oval boxes remain the gateway collectible, but beware modern reproductions, which are plentiful. Authentic Shaker boxes have fingers that point to the right when the lid faces the viewer, copper tacks (not staples), and thin, steam-bent maple or cherry wood. Study the collections at Hancock Shaker Village, Canterbury Shaker Village, and the American Museum in Britain for reference. Community attribution increases value significantly, so look for chalk marks, pencil inscriptions, or distinctive construction practices associated with specific villages.