Shaker your plate

The requirements of living in a large community dictated the dimensions and construction of the furniture. Dining tables, made from local timber, were around ten feet long. The tables were fitted with breadboard ends, which allowed the wood to move in changing temperatures, and they were designed so that the underbrace ran along the length, rather than the width, of the top, leaving plenty of room for many legs and knees. Despite their size, these tables have an inherent grace due to their flawless design. Mother Ann Lee ( The founder of Shaker) said, never put on silver spoons for use, nor tablecloths, but let your tables be clean enough to eat on without cloths.

The Shakers ate three times a day, gathering together in their dining-rooms after quiet prayer in their own resting rooms. Brothers and Sisters entered by separate doors and ate at opposite ends of the room. Only the two Elders and Eldresses of each community ate together at a smaller table. Talking was discouraged during meal times so tables were sectioned into groups of four diners to make the passing of dishes possible without speaking. The Shakers disliked waste of any kind, ever mindful of days when food was scarce and they were expected to eat everything on their plates. This still applies, as visitors to the remaining Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake in Maine will testify. Help yourself to as much as you want, as long as you Shaker your plate.

All the smaller shaker tables were designed for a purpose; for use as
candle stands or sewing tables.

A selection of tables for the kitchen and dining room is available from www.firedearth.com

contact:info@bespokeshaker.com