Chair
1 of 3
Object Label
The Shakers were a religious community that emigrated from England in the eighteenth century and were guided by the principles of honesty, simplicity, and practicality—qualities reflected in their furniture designs. Their works typically lack ornamentation, which was thought to be boastful and fetishize worldly goods. Instead, Shaker designs display an appreciation of raw materials and good craftsmanship.
This type of ladder-back chair was a core business for the Shakers. The rear feet are fitted with tilters, a Shaker invention that allowed the sitter to tip the chair backward without damaging the feet.
Caption
Shaker Community. Chair, 1830–1870. Pine, 36 7/8 × 18 × 19 in. (93.7 × 45.7 × 48.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Oscar Bernstien, 77.84.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 77.84.2_PS9.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Maker
Title
Chair
Date
1830–1870
Geography
Place made: Mount Lebanon, New York, United States
Medium
Pine
Classification
Dimensions
36 7/8 × 18 × 19 in. (93.7 × 45.7 × 48.3 cm)
Signatures
no signature
Inscriptions
no inscriptions
Markings
Impressed on top of back slat: "3"
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Oscar Bernstien
Accession Number
77.84.2
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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