Shaker Village Tannery Shop And Round Stone Barn Stock Image

Shaker furniture and handcrafts were also influenced by the concepts of order, utility and durability. As with their architecture, the discarding of any unnecessary ornament resulted in distinctive furniture of simple forms and proportion. Believing that odd or fanciful styles of architecture, with mouldings, cornices, etc., should be eschewed, the Shakers created plain meetinghouses in which they could perform their ‘round dances’ that were part of their ritual, so large areas of floor space were essential. Believing also that light and cleanliness were the antithesis of evil, buildings had numerous windows.