Theyre a great gift for people who enjoy using their hands to craft beautiful things. Pete baxter woodworks hands to work, hearts to god. A history of the united society of believers stein, stephen j. Handcrafted boxes made in the shaker tradition since 1993. The uniformly slender sides are secured by copper tacks in the traditional shaker fashion. Intrigued by the book s measured drawings of shaker oval boxes, he found construction very challenging. Shaker furniture is the one truly original american style of furniture. These handsome oval boxes are handcrafted of cherry. Get the best deals on 18001899 antique primitive boxes when you shop the largest online selection at. Hand buffed with oil for a rich finish and superior moisture protection. Aug 11, 2015 a nonbeliever named george roberts made boxes at the new lebanon community from about 1920 to 1940 using original forms, however the only boxes being created by a shaker brother in the 20th century was at the sabbathday lake and alfred communities. See more ideas about shaker furniture, shaker style and gift drawing.
The shakers used the inverse as a scale smaller the number the larger the box. Oval boxes my oval boxes are representative of the style and swallowtail carving of elder daniel crosman 18101870, an oval box maker at mt. For more than a decade now, steve has conducted shaker oval box making workshops, provided training sessions for staff and volunteers, and presented handson demonstrations and oval box making historical interpretation for hancock shaker village. Shop for signature shaker oval boxes, logo merchandise and seasonallyinspired gifts, as well as unique childrens gifts, books, soaps and lotions, jams and jellies, shaker reproductions and more. The boxes are finished with a black and red milk paint finish followed by a lacquer top coat.
At the time the shakers were becoming established, round bentwood boxes were being made in. The third will give history, materials and other oval box traditions. This stack of 5 maple and pine shaker oval boxes is handmade following time honored shaker boxmaking methods. Reproduction shaker boxes gifts shaker boxes and shaker gifts. Shaker oval boxes are constructed using swallowtail projections on the box.
We need to experience both sides, not one or the other. Every day is filled with selfguided and staffled tours, talks, demonstrations, exhibitions, handson activities and more throughout the historic centre, the farm and the preserve. For half a century, shaker workshops has worked to craft. Our shaker boxes and wood products are works of art. Shaker oval boxes general woodworking the patriot woodworker. Shaker oval boxes are constructed using swallowtail projections on the box during the shaping process. These careful drawings from the book of shaker furniture, john kassay, page 20. The shaker oval box perhaps best exemplifies the simple shaker design. Scheduled experiences change daily based on the seasons and village at work projects.
This historically accurate piece is an example of a shaker production piece made for sale to the worlds people or fancy goods trade. Shakers stained or painted most of their oval boxes in solid colors from the 1790s. The shaker store is a gift shop where many items are for sale including various sabbathday lake fancy goods including the shaker trademark oval boxes. I must say that this nittygritty, wartsandall story is just as onesided as a glamorous photo book of oval boxes, architecture and rhapsodic poetry about shaker purity. They also have specific numbers of tails for each size box.
Books marked with an asterisk are available for sale at the hancock shaker village museum store. I chose to create boxes in the shaker style not only because of their desirability as an antique but also because of their durability and usefulness. Brent rourke spends many hours carefully handcrafting these quality shaker oval boxes and carriers to last for generations so that youll be proud to display them. The wood, hardware, tools and instructional materials needed for box making are found at the home shop. This is a history book that repeats itself over and over. The records show boxes were mostly sold individually, however some nests were sold of the graduated boxes.
The simplicity of the shaker oval box design makes them timeless in both beauty and. His books are a visual treat, beautifully designed and printed with color images throughout, heavy coated paper, smythesewn binding, head and tail bands, and. At about the same time john met a woodworker, joel kammeraad, who was making shaker oval boxes and agreed to teach the process to that class. Stein, a professor at indiana university, systematically covers the full range of shaker. Since 1996, i have been carefully handcrafting reproduction shaker oval boxes and carriers. Mar 25, 2015 follow along as we demonstrate how to bend straightgrained wood for the construction of oval shaker boxes. Boxes are numbered for size on the bottom using the scale associated with ejner handberg, vol. Its clear crisp lines and singular lightness unite and transcend both traditional and modern settings, and for that reason it has remained a major creative force in our decorative art. An interpreter at the hancock shaker village museum, jerry grant, shared techniques and tips. The shaker office deacons kept annual sales accounts starting in 1805. One of the most prolific, and the last shaker brother to make oval boxes, was delmar wilson. Stunning photos of seventy examples of the beat wood box introduces you to the traditional craft practiced by shaker craftsman and those who follow their example today. Fryes measure mill catalog shaker and colonial carriers. The history of shaker boxes started when the united society of believers in christs second appearing better known as the shakers arrived in new york from england in 1774.
Books can be purchased at the store, or ordered via phone at 800 81717, ext. In the case of shaker boxes, the former is simply a wooden oval form slightly smaller than the finished oval shape, the same height as the height of the box, having two alignment marks on its top. Handcrafted shaker boxes lehays shaker boxes artisan. The shaker museum reception center is a book shop and exhibit area the exhibit is titled come little children, come to zion this interactive exhibit portrays the shaker life as lived by the. Although the shakers did not invent the oval box, which has a long history in america and. Subtitled projects, plans, processes this volume is the handson, howto side of things, and includes not only beautiful photographs, but also drawings so you can actually build from the book. Tops and bottoms are secured with small wooden dowels. They made mostly oval boxes which they sold in nested sets another. The following reading list of books and publications includes books that are out of print and only available through public libraries. Written by john wilson, who is americas foremost expert on the subject. The guiding shaker principles of honesty, utility, and simplicity found expression in various crafts. All of our products are crafted with patience and skill. Whatever you do, youll have a great time visiting us here at the barn in bloomfield. You can even sit down and pick up a book on woodworking or shaker history.
Oval carriers were originally used by the shaker sisters to transport freshly cut herbs from the gardens to the kitchen and drying rooms. A brief history of shaker boxes lehays shaker boxes. Follow along as we demonstrate how to bend straightgrained wood for the construction of oval shaker boxes. Described as the definitive history of the people known as the united society of believers in the first and second coming of christthe shakers, this work has stood the test of time. The woodworking reference library making shaker oval boxes. Many hours of hand work make shaker boxes come to life. Ejner handberg in 1973 in his book shop drawings of shaker furniture. They were known to have bought newly invented machines that assisted in. Wilsons first book, making wood tools is now in its 2nd edition. Shaker oval boxes volume 1, author, john wilson shaker oval box books sold at highland woodworking. These projections are incorrectly referred to as fingers or lappers. Production random bits of knowledge home shop views by john wilson hardcover, 220 pp.
Classes are held here and around the country that give handson experience in this traditional craft. Ive made about 30 of different sizes before and were all cherry, but i wanted to try some maple to see how well it bends. Following a brief introduction to making shaker oval boxes is an extensive. The shape and detail serve to create a useful and durable wooden box that has stood the test of time. The other book is by a well know furniture builder and is also a good source of. Admission to shaker village grants you access to a full day of discovery. In october 2012 we retired from making shaker boxes. Or you can make your own shaker boxes and furniture in our workshops. In this 3rd volume on shaker oval boxes, john wilson digs deep into their history and design, with sections on materials used, projects to build and guidance on. Some of the boxes were painted and original paint remains a significant factor in the value of shaker boxes.
Daniel hrinko box maker beautiful craftsmanship, historical. Thus, their particular style of bentwood boxes became known as shaker boxes and were valued because of the shaker connection. Shaker oval boxes vol i, a craftsmans guide to original, derivative and diverse forms of the ova box, 2014, home shop books. Shaker oval boxes stand test of time orlando sentinel. Shaker style oval boxes from the 19th century oval and round boxes with simpler joints to reflect 18th century designs daniel is recognized by both the early american life directory of traditional american crafts and the society of american period furniture makers. The shakerstyle pantry box is a round bentwood box made by hand. Shaker boxes the design and history of shaker boxes. See more ideas about shaker style, gift drawing and history.
The oval boxes were used to store herbs, spices, sewing items, nails almost anything except liquids. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Shaker oval boxes and carriers revised april 26, 2020. The shakers had religious and social reasons for the design of their boxes, however, there is no rule that says you have to make a traditional box. Stunning photos of seventy examples of the beat wood box introduces you to the traditional craft practiced by shaker. Over the next few decades they established a number of communities in new england and eventually westward. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. The most common shaker oval boxes material is wood. Adult groups and tours shaker village of pleasant hill. Box making requires a large commitment in materials simply to start the process of.
The swallowtails are long and slender with the point of the arch almost reaching the main tack line. Shaker furniture essay the metropolitan museum of art. Whether instructing a class of eager students in basic to advanced box making, or training village staff and volunteers on the history, importance. Visit our onsite shops located in the welcome center, post office and trustees office, each of which offers a unique selection of products and one. For over thirty years john wilson has been showing people how to make shaker oval boxes. The first is the start point, where the end of the band is placed when beginning the bending process. Did you scroll all this way to get facts about shaker oval boxes. Our shaker oval boxes are reproductions of the originals made during the mid19th century. The swallowtail projections were added for practical purposes in the construction as they allowed the wood to expand and contract without splitting during temperature and humidity changes.
My products are created using the same craftsmanship that the shaker community used for over 200 years. Although we no longer make or sell boxes, you may still find an occasional box for sale on the internet. Shaker oval boxes were made to hold various small dry items like spices, herbs, thread, buttons, and powdered paint pigments. This volume is the handson, howto side of things, and includes not only beautiful photographs, but also drawings so you can actually build from the book.
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