The Legacy of Shaker Furniture in Upstate New York
Shaker Furniture is named after a religious sect that developed during the 18th Century in England. Like many religious groups during the time, they emigrated to America, where they were able to practice their religion without fear of persecution or harassment. Once they arrived, they began to establish communities in upstate New York, just miles from our where our factory sits today.
Shaker spirituality placed a high value on workmanship, frugality and honesty. Accordingly, Shakers endeavored to provide for themselves; while they were not tending the fields, they would spend their time practicing crafts such as spinning, weaving and furniture making. Due to their spirituality and work ethic, the goods produced in these communities were of an exceptionally high quality and exhibited a humble, down-to-earth aesthetic that came to be appreciated by people outside of Shaker communities. Soon, a substantial market for these Shaker style goods started to develop.
Our Shaker Secretary Desk has classic lines and great functionality
One exceptionally popular piece of craftsmanship was the Shaker chair. Around the time of the Civil War, less than 100 years after the group came to America, furniture factories unaffiliated with the movement started producing their own versions of the Shaker chair. Other Shaker style furniture, such as Shaker tables and cabinets, quickly grew in popularity as well.
At Manchester Wood, we are proud to be a part of this tradition of fine craftsmanship. Our Shaker Collection offers many great pieces, including Shaker desks and tables. In addition to traditional models, we also offer a few more contemporary takes on Shaker furniture. For example, our Shaker Entertainment Console combines 18th century aesthetics with 21st century functionality and allows your living room to boast a modern entertainment without compromising its traditional appeal. We also offer a wide selection of Shaker desks, such as our Shaker Secretary Desk, a customer favorite. These desks are perfect for studying, surfing the web or paying bills.
Shaker furniture has a strong legacy of craftsmanship that dates back before the American Revolution. We understand the importance of this legacy, and we continue to produce quality solid wood furniture using sustainable timber that is 100% American made.
Tags: American Made, shaker furniture, shaker style, solid wood furniture, wood furniture ny
American Made Wood Furniture, Solid Wood | C133 December 28, 2012
