Shaker Music Rack c. 1936

Alfred H. Smith’s “Shaker Music Rack” is a 1936 watercolor drawing that depicts a simple, yet elegant, Shaker music stand. The stand features a semi-circular top and a triangular base with a shelf, all constructed with vertical and horizontal wooden slats. Smith, born in 1855, was a noted artist and author who specialized in capturing the craftsmanship of the Shakers, a religious sect known for their minimalist design principles. The clean lines and functional form of the music rack exemplify Shaker ideals of simplicity and utility.