Early Style
Shaker Style Hope Chests
Shaker Style furniture and hope chests have been crafted in America for the last 200 years. This furniture style is the end result of the strict Shaker religion viewpoint that that all things were to be created for maximum utilitarian efficiency. Added embellishments were thought to be entirely unnecessary and a wrongful expenditure. This is why the Shaker Style form has simple lines and no decorative elements such as inlay work, added raised wood designs or engraved designs that were common among other Early American hope chest styles. Only on a few furniture pieces is there a little bit of beaded work design. The same reasoning went into why the legs were always straight and without any curves. In addition, Shaker furniture is usually stained rather than painted in holding with this viewpoint.
This purity in form has resulted in one of the most beloved and enduring forms of furniture and hope chest styles, not only in America, but around the world. The Shaker Style has a timeless appeal with its simple line form which is not just simple, but is elegant as well.The simple staining brings out the beauty of the wood grain and the joinery styles. This furniture style represents the Shaker ideals of harmony and order within every aspect of their lives. This influenced the Shaker community to improve upon every design to achieve the form with the purest style. By creating all things surrounding them to be of the highest efficiency, the Shakers would then have more time to pursue religious endeavors.
Wood workers and furniture manufacturers in Japan and Denmark have especially found Shaker furniture to be of interest. Many of their artisans have employed the Shaker design elements to create wonderful furniture pieces. The Shaker style has also heavily influenced the modern furniture design principles in both of these countries.
The Shaker and Japanese furniture designs have many design principles which focus on simplicity of style. Neither style influenced the other as one had no direct knowledge of the other. While it is true that both design types emphasize functionality and simple form to create harmonious works, the Japanese have always emphasized the need for beauty in all forms of art. Furniture pieces from both countries have many similar qualities, especially when much older Japanese furniture is compared to the Shaker style.
Danish wood workers began constructing furniture with the Shaker style influence at the turn of the last Century. It started when one rocking chair caught the interest of an architect by the name of Kaare Klint. Klint was one of the main influences in Scandinavian modern design. The Shakers had started exporting their furniture during the last 19th Century, so this ladder backed rocking chair had found its way to Denmark.This chair was not identified as being of Shaker style for many years. It was thought to be just Early American in design. This Shaker ladder backed rocking chair was initially used as a teaching aide by Klint.
During the mid 19th Century, manufactures in Denmark decided to make affordable,attractive furniture which would have a world wide market.The striped down style of Shaker furniture lent itself well to being manufactured, so many of the furniture prototypes were of the Shaker design and influence. This endeavor has proven to be very successful.
The Shaker concept of simplicity and harmony to create the ultimate in furniture functionality has resulted in an ever increasing desire by consumers to own Shaker style furniture. This is due to its beauty and ability to blend in with other furniture styles.
About the Author
Charity Crouch is a student of Art History.
Find beautifully made examples of Shaker style hope chests and other Early American blanket chests at Blanket Chest Heirlooms.
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