The Book of Shaker Furniture

by John Kassay

Of the more than one hundred experiments in communitarian living that proliferated in America during the nineteenth century, the Untied Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, whose adherents are best known as "Shakers," is certainly one of the most interesting, successful, and enduring. This book is a collection of furniture made by members of this remarkable American religious sect.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870232754
• ISBN13: 9780870232756
• Release Date: May 1980
• Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 3.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 9.2" x 12.4"

Customer Reviews

The best reference book on Shaker furniture

In my collection of Shaker furniture books this book by Shea is my all time favorite and the one book that I continue to reference for ideas time and time again. There are countless photographic examples of all the major types of furniture that the Shakers built(mostly eastern style but also included are Shaker examples from Ohio and other communities not found in the New England area). I have built a few pieces using this book to reference the drawings w/measurements that the author has provided (based on period pieces he measured). If you are looking for one book on Shaker furniture to buy...........this is it!

Excellent but surprising

I found "The Book of Shaker Furniture" to be very enlightening. I had no idea that REAL Shaker furniture was so ugly. However, to give the author credit, if I wanted to reproduce a piece, I could do so from his drawings and pictures very easily. I also learned a great deal about the history and demise of the Shaker culture.

A Classic Beauty of Shaker Furniture and Lives!

The book presentation itself, is beautiful. Mr Kassay has over thirty years experience teaching industrial style, and it shows in his book. All of the photos are black and white, which at first, struck me as odd -- but Mr Kassay highly successfully uses this medium to help convey the grace, simplicity and sleekness of the Shaker's furniture. In his excellent descriptions, he provides the colors, type of current finish, and the original, if known.The measured drawings of the selected items are a work of art by themselves. They are beautiful line drawings with gray shading which gives a three dimensional presence. Mr Kassay carefully and completely exposes the hidden joinery that has often been omitted from the other classics of measured drawings of Shaker furniture. None of the other books that I have read, come close to providing as much detail of the actual craftsmanship of the joints.At first impression, my favorite is his drawing and explanation of the Harvard side table with the under slung drawer from the Fruitlands Museum. It's stability has always looked questionable to me, and he openly discusses it and I gained insight how to modify mine to be more sturdy, but still very recognizable as a reproduction of the original. Instead of showing photos of one or two examples of each type of item,for example, candle stands, he shows four or more. While he doesn't have measured drawing of each photo, he has at least one measured drawing of each type and provides dimensions on the other pieces. By providing many examples of items, he relates a broad sense of all of the Shaker's candle stands, rather than portraying, "this is the characteristics of this stand, look elsewhere for the big picture."He also includes a good history of the Shakers. While the information is fairly common among the books about the Shaker's and their furniture, it makes his book a complete reference for new comers and for people who have only room on their shelf and budget for one book.If the reader is interested in the beauty of the Shaker furniture, a beautifully done book, and extremely well done drawings, this is probably the book!

A very good book about a most interesting furniture Style.

I'm, as a woodworker, an advanced amateur (I'm a Civil Engineer). One of my last works was a case with 27 (yes twentyseven) drawers of 15 different sizes and a door. A few months ago, attracted by a photo in the cover, I bought a book in London (England) about all the aspect of the Shaker Community and with a great surprise, I found there something very similar to what I had drafted and done. I didn't even know the existence of a Shaker Community before. Do you believe in reincarnation??? So I become extremely interested and tried to learn more about all the aspect of the Shaker furniture. I think this book has solved many questions I had and put in my mind many ideas. The drawings, in particular, are extremely clear and accurate and made with a loving care. After having seen this book I' m working to a sewing desk and to a woodworking bench in Shaker style. Certainly I didn't regret the money! Antonello Ruscazio - Sardinia Island - Italy

Great detail of Shaker lifestyle and furniture with drawings

A classic work on the Shaker community and furniture. Kassay's hand-drawn plans of specific furniture items reflect great detail while remaining relatively easy to follow. Logical organizaton of the content with excellent references. A "must have" for any serious woodworkers interested in or having respect for the Shaker lifestyle. Much deeper content than softcovers on the subject.