2 Fingered Shaker Oval Box with Lid

The Shakers were renowned for their simple, artful, delicate yet sturdy, and practical furniture and wood items. They were a religious society, with groups in the Northeast during the mid 19^th century, in service to God and work : “Hands to Work and Hearts to God.”  Creating beautiful simple objects and furniture and working as a community were the trademark of the Shakers’ Art.  Today there are less than a handful of Shakers left in our country, as they did not propagate.

This box is from Mt Lebanon, New York Shakers, when the contract to open the Shaker barn from 1887 allowed my family to purchase it in 1960.

This box shows the art and skill of molding the wood in an oval or circular way, without corners. The “fingers” are fastened with cooper tacks, and the finish is achieved by hours of rubbing the several coats of oil. The top fits snugly and neatly.

The oval – 5 1/8 “ x 3  ½ “ x 1 ½”  ( excellent – delicate condition—2 fingers)