Shaker Secretary 1935 - 1942

John W. Kelleher made this 'Shaker Secretary' drawing. It shows the functional elegance characteristic of Shaker design, reflecting a community where simplicity was not just aesthetic but a moral imperative. The Shakers, or the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, were a religious sect that peaked in the mid-19th century in the United States. Their furniture, like this secretary, embodies their values: utility, honesty, and a lack of ornamentation. This piece, with its clean lines and practical compartments, speaks to a culture that valued order and efficiency as pathways to spiritual purity. The Shakers' communal lifestyle and emphasis on equality also influenced their design, promoting functionality over status. Understanding Shaker furniture involves looking at their society's unique history and beliefs. Resources like historical society archives, religious studies, and design history texts help us appreciate how deeply their social ideals shaped their material culture. By studying these contexts, we can see how art and design reflect and reinforce a community's core values.