The Complete Shaker Selection
Posted by Common Woodworking on 2009-05-04 16:55:54
Tagged: , The Complete Shaker Selection , Well-liked Woodworking , Woodworking Magazine , Shaker , Home furnishings , Woodworking , Regular , American , Pleasant Hill
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The Finish Shaker Assortment
Posted by Popular Woodworking on 2009-05-04 16:55:43
Tagged: , The Total Shaker Selection , Well-liked Woodworking , Woodworking Journal , Shaker , Furnishings , Woodworking , Regular , American , Pleasant Hill
#household furniture #Do it yourself #woodwork #woodworking #freedownload#woodworkingprojects #woodsmith ,wood craft, wood planer, wonderful woodworking, wood chairs, wood doing work applications, well-known woodworking, woodworking guides, woodworking workbench options
The shaker collection is a set of furniture and household items made by the United Society of Believers, commonly known as Shakers, a religious community that practiced celibacy and believed in communal living. The collection is known for its simplicity, functionality, and beauty.
The shaker community was founded in the 18th century in England and then migrated to the United States. They believed in living a simple, austere life without any extravagance or luxury. The community was known for its craftsmanship, having established an industry of crafting furniture, household items, and tools that were highly regarded for their quality and durability.
The shakers believed in using natural materials such as wood, wool, and cotton to create their works. They used dovetail joints, mortise and tenon joints, and pegs instead of nails, screws, or glue. Their furniture was designed to be highly functional, with drawers that could be easily removed for cleaning, and tables that could be expanded to accommodate larger groups of people.
The shaker collection includes a variety of furniture pieces that reflect the shakers’ emphasis on functionality and simplicity. The collection includes chairs, tables, cabinets, desks, and beds. The chairs are known for their distinctive ladderback design, with spindles that are curved to fit the human body. The shaker beds are simple and elegant, with headboards and footboards made of plain, unadorned slats.
The shaker cabinets and desks are highly functional, with drawers and shelves that are organized for efficient use. They are also designed to be durable, with solid construction that can withstand heavy use. The shaker tables are designed to be expandable, with leaves that can be added or removed to accommodate different numbers of people.
Beyond furniture, the shaker collection also includes a variety of household items such as baskets, boxes, and kitchenware. The shaker baskets are known for their high quality, with tightly woven reeds or splints and smooth, even rims. The shaker boxes are designed for practical use, with simple, smooth construction that is sturdy and durable. The shaker kitchenware includes utensils such as ladles, spoons, and bowls, made of wood or tin, and designed to be highly functional.
The shaker collection has had a lasting impact on American furniture and craftsmanship. Its influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary furniture makers, who strive to capture the simplicity, functionality, and beauty of shaker design. The collection is a testament to the shakers’ dedication to their craft and their commitment to living a simple, austere life. It is also a reminder of the timeless beauty of well-crafted, functional design.
Posted by Popular Woodworking on 2009-05-04 16:54:35
The Complete Shaker Collection is a comprehensive resource for those interested in learning about Shaker design and history. The Shakers were a religious community that flourished in 19th century America, known for their simplicity of life and exquisite craftsmanship.
The collection includes a range of materials, including furniture, textiles, tools, and manuscripts. These items offer a window into the daily life of the Shaker community, as well as their beliefs and values.
The Shaker aesthetic is defined by minimalism and functionality. Their furniture designs were clean, with straight lines and understated ornamentation. They often used local materials such as maple, cherry, and pine, and their pieces were distinguished by their exceptional quality of construction.
One of the hallmarks of Shaker design is their attention to detail. For example, their chairs were carefully constructed to ensure stability and comfort. They were designed to be stackable, occupying as little space as possible when not in use. This attention to detail extended to all of their furniture designs, making them practical, functional, and enduring.
The Shakers’ dedication to simplicity extended beyond furniture design. Their textile work was similarly understated, with muted colors and simple patterns. They used natural materials such as wool and cotton, which they often grew or raised themselves. Their textiles were notable for their high quality, with patterns woven into the fabric rather than printed on top.
In addition to their furniture and textiles, the Shakers were also known for their tools. They were skilled craftsmen, and many of their tools were designed to perform multiple functions. For example, their wooden box-making tools were designed to allow quick and accurate production of boxes in various sizes. They also developed special tools for washing clothes, such as a revolving washboard that made the task much easier and efficient.
The Shakers’ attention to detail, functionality, and craftsmanship was rooted in their religious beliefs. They believed that everything they did should be done to the best of their abilities, as a form of worship. This commitment to excellence is evident in the quality of the objects they produced, which remain highly regarded to this day.
The Complete Shaker Collection allows visitors to immerse themselves in the world of the Shakers. The collection includes objects from various Shaker communities across the United States, including furniture from New York and Massachusetts, textiles from Maine and New Hampshire, and tools from Kentucky and Ohio.
The collection also includes handwritten manuscripts, including journals and hymnals. These documents offer insight into the daily life of the Shaker community, as well as their religious beliefs and practices.
One of the challenges facing the Shaker community was maintaining their numbers. Shakers were celibate, which meant they could only increase their numbers by conversion. As a result, their numbers gradually declined throughout the 19th century. By the early 20th century, many of the Shaker communities had disbanded.
Despite this decline, the legacy of the Shakers lives on. Their commitment to functional design and exceptional craftsmanship continues to influence modern design trends. The Shaker style is renowned for its timeless elegance and practicality, making it a popular choice for homeowners and designers alike.
The Complete Shaker Collection offers a rare glimpse into this unique religious community and their design legacy. The collection is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Shaker aesthetic and the enduring power of their beliefs.
Posted by Popular Woodworking on 2009-05-04 16:55:31
The Complete Shaker Collection consists of the artifacts, tools, and furniture left behind by the Shaker community, a religious group that lived in America from the 18th to the mid-20th century. Shaker beliefs include simplicity, hard work, and celibacy. The Shakers are known for their high-quality craftsmanship, especially in woodworking, as well as their innovative designs for everyday objects.
The collection includes over 25,000 objects, ranging from household items like chairs and baskets to more unusual pieces like a spinning wheel and a horse-drawn buggy. The collection is housed in several museums and historical sites throughout the country, including the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Kentucky, the Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon in New York, and the Enfield Shaker Museum in New Hampshire.
One of the most iconic pieces in the collection is the Shaker rocking chair. Known for its simplicity and sturdy construction, the rocking chair is still popular today as a symbol of Shaker craftsmanship. Other notable pieces include the flat broom, which was invented by the Shakers and remains a common household item, and the seed cabinet, which was used to store seeds and other small items.
One of the unique aspects of the Shaker community was their emphasis on communal living and sharing of resources. This led to innovations in many areas, including agriculture, industry, and education. The Shaker Collection includes examples of these innovations, such as the circular saw, invented by the Shakers in the early 19th century, and the Shaker Schoolhouse, which provided education for children of all backgrounds.
The Shaker community also valued music and dance, and the collection includes several examples of their musical instruments, including the Shaker hymnal and the Shaker sewing machine. The Shakers also created their own unique style of dance, which involved shaking and spinning in a trance-like state. This style of dance is still performed today by modern-day Shaker communities.
Overall, the Shaker Collection is an important record of a unique religious community and their contributions to American culture and history. The Shakers’ emphasis on simplicity, hard work, and communal living led to innovations in many areas, and their high-quality craftsmanship is still admired today. The collection serves as a reminder of the important role that religious communities have played in shaping American society.
Posted by Popular Woodworking on 2009-05-04 16:55:33