Shaker Wooden Dipper 1935 - 1942

Editor: Here we have Adelaide Dyball’s “Shaker Wooden Dipper,” a drawing made sometime between 1935 and 1942. It’s fascinating how much detail she captures. It looks incredibly lifelike. What strikes you most about this seemingly simple object, this dipper? Curator: It’s remarkable, isn’t it? What catches my eye is this almost meditative stillness. Think about the Shakers—their emphasis on simplicity, utility, and honesty. This drawing reflects those values so profoundly. It’s not just a dipper; it's an artifact of a way of life, distilled into lines and tones. It reminds me that even everyday items can hold immense cultural and spiritual weight, doesn't it? And look at the color palette... So subdued and serene. What feeling does it evoke in you? Editor: It feels very…pure, somehow. Almost like an ode to the craft itself. Was Dyball interested in the Shakers? Curator: Well, the Index of American Design, for which Dyball made this, sought to record American material culture during the Depression. So, it’s likely Dyball’s intent was documentation of American design, and yes, Shaker design held appeal, likely *because* of the aforementioned tenets. You know, this makes me consider the beauty in functionality. And I wonder if this dipper was filled with cool water. Editor: I’m beginning to see how much more than just a picture this drawing is. Now I am envisioning clear water reflecting sunlight in it. Curator: Exactly! Art opens the mind.