Shakerrelated

Shakerrelated is a descriptor used in scholarship and collection catalogs to indicate a connection to Shakerism and its material culture, including religious practices, architecture, furniture, crafts, and historic sites linked to the Shakers, formally known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing. The Shakers originated in 18th-century England and established communities in the United States, especially in New England and the Midwest. They practiced communal living, celibacy, pacifism, and gender equality, and held religious services marked by praise, hymnody, and, in many cases, ecstatic dance and shaking movements, from which the name Shaker is derived.

Shakerrelated design and craftsmanship refer to the movement's distinctive aesthetic: plain, functional objects, built for durability, with attention to proportion and joinery rather than ornament. Shaker furniture, storage pieces, and woodenware feature clean lines, minimal decoration, pegged joinery, and high-quality woods. Architectural spaces and interiors emphasize light, open plans, and a sense of ordinariness elevated by craftsmanship.

The term also encompasses historical sites, preservation efforts, and scholarly studies of Shaker beliefs, communal life, and the influence on American design and craft movements. Today, Shakerrelated material remains a focus for museums, collectors, and researchers, reflecting the Shakers’ lasting impact on design, religion, and social practice.