Box c. 1850

This simple box was created by the Shakers, an English religious sect active in the 18th century, and is currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago. The oval shape itself, so subtly deviating from the mundane square or circle, speaks volumes about their spiritual vision. Note the deliberate simplicity. The Shakers, deeply committed to communal living, infused their craft with a desire for purity and honesty. This box exemplifies that ethos. We see the plain, unadorned wood. This harks back to early Christian asceticism, where material austerity symbolized spiritual focus. The Shakers echoed this sentiment, their creations serving as a physical embodiment of their devotion. Yet, within its simplicity lies a complex story of utility and faith. Consider the box a vessel. Think of the ways the simplest forms can become endowed with meaning, reflecting a continuous cycle of creation and renewal.