Shaker Lamp Stand 1941

This drawing of a Shaker Lamp Stand was made at some point in the first half of the 20th century by an anonymous artist. The drawing depicts a lamp stand that would have been made by the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, known as the Shakers. This was a religious sect which established a number of largely self-sufficient communities in the United States, beginning in the late 18th century. Shakers were committed to ideals of equality, pacifism, and communal living. This image demonstrates how the Shakers’ religious principles influenced their design and craftwork, characterized by simplicity, utility, and honesty. The drawing also gives us insight into the Shaker’s self-sufficient communities and economies that influenced a unique aesthetic in furniture and architecture. By studying the historical context of this drawing, alongside the history of Shaker communities, we can better understand its cultural significance and the values it represents.