Shaker Sewing Desk 1935 - 1942

Here is John Davis’s rendering of a Shaker Sewing Desk. The Shakers, formally known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, were a religious sect devoted to principles of simplicity, utility, and communal living. Shaker communities, which peaked in the mid-19th century, emphasized gender equality, pacifism, and a unique form of ecstatic worship expressed through dance and song. This sewing desk is an expression of their values and beliefs. Shaker furniture design reflected the Shaker commitment to functionality over mere aesthetics. The Shakers believed in the spiritual importance of labor and crafted items, like this sewing desk, to be practical. The Shakers often maintained gendered divisions of labor. Sewing was primarily the work of women. The Shaker Sewing Desk stands as a testament to a community striving for spiritual purity. It makes me think about the lives and stories of the Shaker sisters who would have used this very piece.