Shaker Tradition And Design

by Milton C. Rose

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Summary

"'Tis the gift to be simple" begins a well-known Shaker hymn, and in Shaker Tradition and Design you are introduced to the purity and charm of the Shaker way of life. The Shakers, a Protestant sect, came to America from England in the 18th century. Their leader Ann Lee felt she had a call from God to form a new sect that would return to the early beliefs of the Christian church and strive toward perfection and harmony by the practice of strict religious beliefs. With their emphasis on community, order and harmony, the Shakers approached everything in their lives--architecture, crafts, cooking, worship--with the same need for purity and practicality. They created a unique blending of their spiritual beliefs and their daily lives. All Shaker products, whether a new home for a Shaker community or something as mundane as a box to hold nails, were made with the same exacting standards. Shaker Tradition and Design is a comprehensive overview of the Shaker contribution to American life. As a communal sect, their beliefs were apparent in every part of their lives, not just their churches. Included is a section of museums and public collections of Shaker artifacts as well as a guide to libraries that have significant collections of Shaker materials. In all the elements of their lives, the Shakers showed their desire to attain "the gift to be simple," Shaker Tradition and Design is a rich source book for home decorating, building furniture and anyone interested in American crafts.

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