Shaker: Function, Purity, Perfection is an homage to the traditional Shaker values of grace and simplicity. Featured are twenty-eight essential pieces that highlight the defining elements of Shaker design and demonstrate a dedication to perfection.
Designer and furniture expert Sir Terence Conran speaks about the profound Shaker influence on twentieth-century furniture, and David Stocks and Jerry Grant of The Shaker Museum│Mount Lebanon illustrate Shaker history, tradition, and the furniture-making techniques that ensured lasting value and beauty.
Shaker: Function, Purity, Perfection is also available for pre-order through the museum’s online store for $50 and ships February-March 2015.
Jack Plane
Pegs and 'Tails 
I admit I’m no expert in this field, but what I always wondered was why was a type of furniture that was ubiquitous in both the New and Old World named after the Shakers? Sure, they made solid, country/ reductionist/ utilitarian type of furniture. But so did a lot (most?) of cabinetmakers before them.
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The museum is not far from my house, only several hours drive. I’ll have to head up there when they open for the season. Would be a pretty ride on the motorcycle.
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I was also wondering if you had any particular reason to recommend this book….not that you need to justify anything, it’s just that I couldn’t find any preview pages and was wondering if there was anything that set it apart from other picture books of Shaker furniture/crafts.
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I haven’t seen a copy of the book (and am unlikely to), but Shaker furniture has its followers. I simply admire their restraint in its construction and decoration.
Coming from the horse’s mouth – as it were – I thought the book would appeal to some readers.
JP
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Mostly for your US followers. The New York State Museum has 2 exhibits currently running about the Shakers. https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/exhibits/ Being a state funded agency they don’t do a lot of PR. It is less than hour to Mt. Lebanon and Hancock.
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