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Journal of Antiques and Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to present: Asheford Institute of Antiques

APPRAISERS CORNER Certified Appraisal Training
www.asheford.com

with David L Moore CPAA, Certified Professional Antiques Appraiser A Commitment to Excellence Since 1966

Mr. Appraiser – furniture factories started copying Shaker items to sell themselves.
I purchased this sewing box and was told it was made by the shakers. In the 1870s, apparently the simple life became complicated with
The fellow thought a lot of it and I did not want to appear ignorant, but unauthorized copies and the Shaker Communities decided to patent
what is a Shaker, and did they only make sewing boxes? If so, are there their products and started to place stamps and paper labels on
different models I can look for? everything they made. Many different Shaker labels were used on
This is a fantastic old piece and is the centerpiece of my antique hand- Shaker-made products, including stamps and signatures.
made sewing box collection. Oh, by the way. What is it worth? Not that Your 7-inch long and 6-inch high American Shaker two-tier sewing
I am thinking of selling, but in case I do, it would be good to know. It is box was probably made at the Pomfret Connecticut Shaker
approximately 7 inches long x 6 inches high. It has a date stamped, but I Community in the 1850s/ 1860s, as seen in the picture I had on file
cannot read it. and used as a reference
(middle, right). Several
Shaker communities made
sewing boxes, but it seemed
every community had some-
thing in the construction
that was a little different.
In another reference photo
(below, right), you will see a
sewing box the same size,
but different wood was used
in the supporting corners.
This two-tier Sewing Box
was created in the
Sabbathday Lake Maine
community circa the 1870s.
The Shakers also made
three-tier Sewing boxes.
Thank you very much for Your sewing box has two
your submission. It has been a tiers. On the top 1st tier, it
while since I have seen a genuine has four horn eyelets in the
Shaker-made Sewing box. I will front and two on each side
try to give the nickel tour of for a total of eight eyelets.
Shaker history for you. There is a takeoff lid with
The Shaking Quakers or Shakers were a protestant sect that was the original pillow on top
derived from a combination of Quaker and The United Society of that fits over the four wooden
Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing theology. The Shaker sect was spires. When the lid is taken
officially started in 1747 in Manchester, England. Early in their organ- off it exposes a cavity for
ization, they were known as shaking Quakers because of their thread spools. The
sometimes-violent trembling and shaking as a part of their worship. second/bottom tier has four
Later the sect was simply called the Shakers. In 1774, a woman by the wooden spires and a pull-out
name of Ann Lee in the Manchester Shaker Society had a revelation drawer for scissors needles
that she should sail to America and start a Shaker Society. She set sail etc. The bottom exposes
and in 1776 the first Shaker society was formed Northwest of Albany four wooden feet. Your box
New York. appears to never have had a
Basically, Shakers believed in and practiced communal living. They label. There are many copies
did not believe in Procreation and practiced celibacy. Because of this, of just about everything the
if they wanted children, they had to adopt and when the adoptive Shakers created, even the
children turned 21, they were given a choice to either stay or leave. labels. Without seeing it in
Because of living a celibate life, they were also compelled to recruit person and by the pictures
members into the Society. They were pacifists and practiced simplicity sent, the construction,
in dress, speech, and living. The Shaker communities were formed wood, and dimensions
away from cities so as not to have a corruptive influence on the given, your box appears to be an original Shaker-made item.
membership. At its height, the shaker membership reached over 600 If I were to see your Shaker-made Sewing box for sale at a publicized
members in 19 villages from Maine to Kentucky. Shaker items auction, I would expect to pay $250/$300 for it.
Early in American Shaker living, the members would make
everything necessary by hand. Many things seen by the public, especially David Moore is part of the school’s “Ask The Experts” appraising
the furniture, were so well made and desired people outside the village team, and is an honors graduate and “Certified” Asheford Institute
wanted to have shaker chairs etc. themselves. It was decided to set up of Antiques Appraiser. Mr. Moore is the owner of Waterman’s
shaker workhouses to create and sell handmade items for public Antiques, was President of the Indiana Archaeo logical Society, and
use. The profits were used for community needs. As time went on, is a published author, with over 50 years of experience in the
the desire for quality Shaker-made items increased, and established research and study of antiques and collectibles.

Journal of Antiques & Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to provide our readers with professional appraisers to help you learn more
about and value your finds. We welcome your questions and photos. Send your information to editorial@journalofantiques.com or mail to Journal of Antiques &
Collectibles, PO Box 950, Sturbridge, MA 01566 attn: Appraisers Corner. To learn more about becoming a “certified” antiques appraiser, visit www.asheford.com.

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