Shaker: Life, Work and Art

by June Sprigg, David Larkin

Briefly traces the history of the Shakers, describes their lifestyle, and looks at Shaker furniture, architecture, boxes, brooms, fabric, clothing, and equipment.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, History, Religion, Crafts

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Eddie Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Some exceptionally conservative Shakers regarded rocking chairs as a needless luxury, but most enjoyed the soothing motion."

Does this not make you want to engage in some transgressive rocking?

Everything the sexless Shakers put their hands to ended up sexy; even (nay, especially) their clothespins and brooms.

While parts of my being dry up when contemplating the Shakers, other parts feel aired out and brightened.

I envy them their orderly homes but not their hairshirt-like beds.

There is a recipe for lemon pie included and I am going to make it and eat it:

2 lemons, rind and all, sliced thin as paper. Cover lemon slices with 2 cups sugar. Mix well, let stand 2 hours. Make 2 crusts. Beat 4 eggs together. Fill pie shell with alternating layers of lemons and sugar then pour beaten eggs over all. Bake at 450 for 15 min, then cut down heat to 400 and bake until inserted knife comes out clean.

This is a simple and gorgeous book.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive visual guide to Shaker living, architecture and crafts.

I am here for the woodworking, which is captured in beautiful photograph after photograph, but the book also does a good job introducing Shaker history, mindset and politics.

I appreciated this look into a simpler, if grueling, kind of living. It wouldn't be for me, but it's hard not to be a little tempted looking at the boxes and cabinets.

[Dorothy DiMascio-Donohue · Rating 5 out of 5]

So charming

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shaker's were founded by Ann Lee from England. Ann arrive with eight followers in the United Staters. The were called Shakers as they shook, whilrled and leapt in worship.
Ann started the celibacy rule, which survives till today. Her husband left her. She fortold that when the Shakers numbered less than 10 it would flourish again.
Very well written with great photography from the past and present.

[raccoon reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book that combines the historical overview of who the Shakers were (only a handful that remain) and the art created by them. Their architecture, eye for graceful details in furnishings and goods, and innovation to modern design makes looking at their creations and designs a pleasurable and relaxing read. Would make an excellent coffee table book.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

After exploring the complexities of Albert Speer's architecture, mind and morality (or perhaps the architecture OF his moral mind), it was refreshing to turn to look at the simple, beautiful buildings, objects and daily routines of the Shakers. When I am deeply immersed in my reading life, synchronicity overtakes me and leads me to the right book at the right time. Bliss!

[Maryonamission · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photography. Interesting 19th century religious sect. Great recipes.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated history of the Shakers, their simple life and craftsmanship.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is mostly a photo book, but the text is informative as well. The combination makes it more interesting than the typical book of lush photos of Shaker furniture and a barn in the mist. That stuff is in this book, but you also find out how the furniture was made or what made the barns so uniquely constructed. You get an inside look at the goods --- clothing, food, utensils, furniture, etc.

The book discusses the Shakers' origins and the strength of their commitment. It's an interesting subject, as they insisted on celibacy but found that to be a strength. It left them with time to contemplate God and to try to perfect their actions on earth, as they saw them. The idea is that whatever you do, you are supposed to do as well as you can. That can be weeding a plot in the garden, milking a cow, or making a wooden box. (Why sex isn't a positive or potentially near-perfect act isn't explained in this book, though I'm sure it is in the Shaker theology. Probably something about base instincts.)

Obviously, a religion that doesn't breed has pressure on it to find converts, and for about 50 years they did pretty well. The US was a place in turmoil, and so the simplicity and generosity of their lives led them to draw in a lot of people to their communities. But they also had an accommodation in the sense that you could be part of the community but not a full committed Shaker -- a shakedown period, so to speak. This brought them up to something like 10,000 followers at its peak, in communities that stretched through New England, the Mid-Atlantic and the upper Midwest. It didn't thrive late in the 19th century, but it wasn't because the Shakers were anti-modernity. They used electricity, cars, etc., and they were smart business people. They were not the Amish, who think that everything needed in the world was available by about 1600.

About the only thing I didn't like in the book is the repetition of the comments on the efficiency of what Shakers did, the "ingenious" devices to save labor. A few times this was interesting, but it got old after a while. I even began to wonder why they thought efficiency was next to Godliness, which seems to be the implication. Example, they did something to the bottoms of stair railings and moldings on the floor that reduced the need for sweeping. And they had tables with legs coming from the center, rather than the corners, because this maximized foot room. And they were obsessed with built-in drawers and shelves. Okay, I get it. But it's also a bit obsessive.

The bottom line is that this is a wonderful book. If you have been to Shaker sites, this book is a nice keepsake. If you haven't visited a site, this book will make you want to do it.

[Chrissy Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

My re-discovered book was one I had checked out from the library and read a few years ago but this time, I spotted it on the shop teachers workbench and when he heard my squeal he gifted it to me. It’s mine, all mine! Muaha ha ha! It wasn’t a villain how-to book but the irony in my hoarding joy of it is palpable. Shaker: Life, Work, and Art by June Sprigg and David Larkin is a coffee table book full of photos and history documenting the history, lives, and workmanship of the Shaker community and religion as it existed in the U.S. I adore this book for so many, yet simple reasons. One, Shaker is a branch of Quakerism which I adore and aspire to be better at. I refer to myself as a practicing non-Catholic with Quaker tendencies, but I’m not nonviolent enough. Two, the simplicity and minimalism of Shaker lives and homes is nothing but warm elegance. And three, their craft and workmanship should be admired as an art form. There have not been any official “new” converts to Shakerism since the community closed its roster in the 60’s and the last I heard, there are only two alive today. I found a Forbes article whose title really says it all, “If you believe in the life changing magic of tidying up, consider the Shakers” (Cole, Regina, 1/15/19). Shakerism is an inspiring utopian ideal with singing & dancing as worship practices! With a few tweaks, particularly eliminating the celibacy requirement, I think it could have a major comeback today.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is superb. The photography, history, lifestyle and work ethic of the Shakers what interesting and educational. I literally could not put it down.

[garfunkelgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous photography and detailed historical descriptions regarding their way of life. My partner was inspired and built a wooden chair, a side table, and some wood building blocks for our son. The lemon pie recipe looks mouthwatering; I wonder if there's a Shakers cookbook.