The Shaker collection

An American design legacy

Shaker objects and furniture have their roots in a religious movement that started nearly three centuries ago. The guiding Shaker principles of honesty, utility and simplicity found expression in various crafts. Decoration encouraged the sin of pride, and so wood was smoothly finished without carvings or inlays. Certain items could be painted or stained, but colours were strictly regulated by the sect’s laws, with blues, greens, reds, and yellows preferred. Find out more about the original pieces in our collection when you visit.