Furniture: Shaker-Inspired Roundup

I recently read a remarkable story involving a Shaker No. 7 Ladder-Backed Armed Rocker, which found its way to Denmark in 1927 and influenced a generation of Scandinavian modernists, in Christian Becksvoort’s book The Shaker Legacy (available at Amazon). The chair was admired by architect and museum curator Kaare Klint, who introduced Danish designers such as Børge Mogensen and Hans Wegner to the Shaker aesthetic; echoes of the utilitarian Shaker style can be seen in many midcentury Scandinavian pieces.

Above: Børge Mogensen based his J39 Chair on the Shaker low-ladder back chairs, which were designed to fit neatly under their dining tables. Mogensen’s Trestle Table was inspired by a table from the Hancock, Massachusetts, Shaker community.

Above: Børge Mogensen’s J39 Chair is available in oak with a natural seat for $695 or black lacquer with a black seat for $795  at the Danish Design Store.

Above: Hans Wegner’s J16 Rocker is available in beech, oak, or black lacquer; $1,690 to $2,000 at the Danish Design Store.

Above: In the US, Shaker style influenced MIT-trained architect and designer George Nakashima, who described himself as a “Japanese Shaker.” The Nakashima Straight-Backed Chair for Knoll is available at DWR; it’s currently on sale for $538.90 (down from $634) with free shipping.