Shaker

Shaker items are characterized by simplicity, functionalism, and orderliness. There were many Shaker communities in America from the eighteenth century to the present day. The religious order made furniture, small wooden pieces, and packaged medicines, herbs, and jellies to sell to "outsiders." Shaker pieces had very little decoration and served mostly practical purposes. Other useful objects were made for use by members of the community. Shaker furniture is listed in the Furniture category. For more information, explore our identification guides for kitchenware, tools, textiles, bottles, metalcraft, advertising, and Shaker furniture.