The Shaker Legacy: Perspectives on an Enduring Furniture Style

by Christian Becksvoort

Solid construction and honest functionality make Shaker furniture one of the most popular and timeless design categories. Based on extensive research and personal experience with the last working Shaker community in Maine, this book traces the roots of Shaker design to Shaker belief, which inspired the clean lines, careful craftsmanship, and signature details that define the style. The author also discusses the less known Victorian period of Shaker design and shows how this style has influenced subsequent ones. A bibliography, glossary, and index are included.

Genres: Woodwork, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Amy Carson]

Written by a woodworker, it does a very good job of highlighting just what about shaker furniture craftsmanship makes it impressive + puts the Shaker’s design legacy into a larger context. Very readable and approachable, but I feel like if I went in with any sort of work working/furniture design experience, I would have gotten a lot more out of it lol.

[James]

Nice photos, good reference.