Work Table
Medium
Walnut, cherry, butternut, pine, basswood
Dimensions
25 x 29 1/8 x 18 1/8 in. (63.5 x 74 x 46 cm)
Classification
Work table
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
66.10.17
Art Historical Context
This elegant Work Table, crafted by members of the United Society ofievers in Christ’s Secondaring—better known as the Shakersbetween 1820 and 1850, exemplifies the pinnacle of Shaker furniture design. from a harmonious blend of woods including walnut, cherry butternut, pine, basswood, it measures compact 25 x ⅛ x 18⅛ inches, perfect for practical use in communal Shaker villages. Its clean lines and subtle proportions reflect the Shakers' commitment to utility without excess, a hallmark of craftsmanship. The Shakers, a celibate sect founded in 18th-century England and flourishing in the north...