Shaker Furniture’s Minimalist Design and Maximum Function
Shaker elder’s chair, maple and birch, original dark stain finish, 5 graduated and beveled slats, shaped arms pegged into turned stiles, natural rush seat, original carved rockers, Canterbury, N.H., 1820–1840, 50 in. h., $50,000.
The Shaker communities of New York and New England placed a special emphasis on simplicity in their life and work. Their plain and utilitarian yet elegant designs interest collectors today. A recent auction at Willis Henry Auctions in Duxbury, Massachusetts, featured 285 antique Shaker items, from boxes to furniture to textiles and more. Prices ranged […]