Medium
Pine
Dimensions
16 5/8 x 35 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (42.2 x 90.2 x 24.1 cm)
Classification
Bench
Culture
American, Shaker
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Friends of the American Wing Fund, 1966
Accession Number
66.10.4
Art Historical Context
This pine bench, crafted around 1850 by members of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing—commonly known as the Shakers—embodies the community’s deep commitment to simplicity, utility, and honest craftsmanship. Created for use in Shaker dwellings or meeting houses, the compact form (just over three feet long) reflects the group’s emphasis on communal living and practical design that served daily needs without excess. Shaker furniture like this piece stands out for its clean lines and lack of ornamentation, principles rooted in the sect’s religious beliefs that “beauty re...