Our oval boxes are made on reproductions of the forms and templates used at many shaker communities during the mid19th century. A twelveinch circular box requires a twelveinch board, but a twelveinch oval box can be made from a nineinch wide board. Paint has been used by mankind since before recorded history, first as. Tops and bottoms are secured with small wooden dowels. Shaker oval boxes vol i, a craftsmans guide to original, derivative and diverse forms of the ova box, 2014, home shop books. One reference states that the first shaker created oval box was produced in the 1790s in either watervliet now colonie or new lebanon, new york. Visit our onsite shops located in the welcome center, post office and trustees office, each of which offers a unique selection of products and oneof. Shaker village of pleasant hill shop the shops at shaker. Making shaker boxes is simple, but takes a while to master. Clearly there are boxes within the shaker tradition, and those outside it what can be said for the following steps in making boxes is that i have found it to work for me, and for others in the. Less often, the bands were made of birch, cherry, and oak.
In fact, i use one myself, to collect eggs here at home. Most of the boxes were made by the shaker religious leaders, the male elders. Shaker oval box shaker craftsman charlotte michigan 488. Please feel free to contact me to discuss ordering an individual box or a complete set.
Back to the projects department this material was originally produced as a handout to accompany a class i taught on making shaker style boxes. These are published by home shop books and availible in autographed copy, sent post paid direct. They made mostly oval boxes which they sold in nested sets another modification that added to the efficiency of the boxes. One of the most prolific, and the last shaker brother to make oval boxes, was delmar wilson. October 24, 2018 hi everyone, i am proud to announce the launch of my new website. I was also glad to hear eaia members also liked them as my set of boxes in sizes 04 turned out to be the second highest grossing item in the eaia silent auction and i was humbled to receive the plaque below. These boxes were popular with many people, not just the shakers. Historically, pantry boxes were divided into four groups. You wont believe some of the innovative uses our shaker oval boxes have been put to by maria pinto, the fashion designer to michelle obama and oprah winfrey. Oval boxes creating the simple curves of these quintessentially shaker oval boxes is easier than it looks, once you know these tricks. Yellow, green, blue, and red were the most common colors. For making veneer, a band saw or veneer frame saw may be used, or veneer may be bought readymade from one of the sources listed at the bottom of the page.
The finger joints are individually hand cut and although its somewhat of a timeconsuming process, i dont feel a machine can replicate the crisp, clean lines that a knife blade can produce. Thus, their particular style of bentwood boxes became known as shaker boxes and were valued because of the shaker connection. Shaker boxes are oval shaped bent wood containers constructed with fingers, or lappers, that wrap around the box. An interpreter at the hancock shaker village museum, jerry grant, shared techniques and tips. There may be no better embodiment of that harmony than the oval boxes the shakers made to hold everything from sewing notions to seeds.
The grace and simplicity of our handcrafted fingered lap box marks the shaker concern for both detail and proportion. Each etsy seller helps contribute to a global marketplace of creative goods. Perspectives on an enduring furniture style, author christian becksvoort, a contributing editor of fine woodworking magazine and an experienced custom furniture maker and restorer whos worked for the last remaining shaker community at sabbathday lake, maine, examines the shakers faith in relation to their. If you are interested in having me make shaker boxes for you click the link to find shaker boxes for sale cutting beautiful swallowtails the familiar fingers that form the joinery takes patience and practice. Our cherry boxes are handrubbed with varnish and tung oil. Hand made shaker oval boxes by oreland wood products. What others are saying four oval lapseam shaker boxes, century, graduating upward in size, the smallest with old yellowgreen paint and indistinct greenpain. Get the best deals on reproduction antique primitive boxes when you shop the largest online selection at. Perhaps one of the most famous types of containers is the oval box.
I also like using cherry because of its bending ability when steamed. Ejner handberg in 1973 in his book shop drawings of shaker furniture and woodenware, volume i first. Shaker oval boxes are constructed using swallowtail projections on the box during the shaping process. If your looking for a book on how to build shaker boxes this is not it. This innovative shape made oval boxes stronger, more efficient and more attractive than their predecessors. Their particular style of oval shaker boxes had certain technological steps to assemble. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. By the mid1880s the nest of boxes eliminated the two. Home a brief history of shaker boxes a brief history of shaker boxes in a time long ago, before plastic bottles, containers and bags, people needed a way to store household items such as flour, sugar, coffee, tea, herbs, sewing notions, nails, etc. And be sure to check out our catalog of shaker box supplies. Lebanon, new york shaker community during the mid19th century. Southern shaker workshops by southernshaker on etsy.
By supporting southernshaker, youre supporting a small business, and, in turn, etsy. Apr 22, 2014 over time though, the use of cardboard boxes became more common, turning into the preferred mode of packaging for fruit and fresh produce among other things. Quarter sawn maple ensures that the lids do not move too much during the life of the box. O ver the years i have produced a variety of shaker boxes using many different wood species and paint colors. Like early shaker furniture, for many years the oval boxes were painted. Antique shaker smalls, sewing items, hand mirrors, boxes, harvard. Subtitled projects, plans, processes this volume is the handson, howto side of things, and includes not only beautiful photographs, but also drawings so you can actually build from the book. For sizing and pricing, check out the link on the left. The records started using the word oval to describe the boxes in 1814. Shop signature shaker oval boxes, logo merchandise and seasonallyinspired gifts, as well as unique childrens gifts, books, soaps and lotions, jams and jellies, shaker reproductions and more. Oval boxes shaker mercantile at hancock shaker village.
Shaker style oval boxes from the 19th century oval and round boxes with simpler joints to reflect 18th century designs daniel is recognized by both the early american life directory of traditional american crafts and the society of american period furniture makers. Since 1993 lehays shaker boxes has been creating handcrafted needlework boxes, oval boxes and carriers in the shaker tradition. At about the same time john met a woodworker, joel kammeraad, who was making shaker oval boxes and agreed to teach the process to that class. Four oval lapseam shaker boxes, century, graduating upward in size, the smallest with old yellowgreen paint and indistinct greenpain. This volume is the handson, howto side of things, and includes not only beautiful photographs, but also drawings so you can actually build from the book. The third will give history, materials and other oval box. They made mostly oval boxes which they sold in nested sets another. Primitive fabric cloth pantry paper mache flat oval boxes. Our shaker oval boxes are reproductions of the originals made during the mid19th century. You may never guess it from the looks of these beautiful artifacts, but their primary use was once food storage. They are also available as ebooks in pdf, epub and mobi format. Classic shaker oval box size 6 in cherry, reproduction of the original made in the mid19th century.
The woodworking reference library making shaker oval boxes. Shaker lidded boxes have a traditional charm, simplicity, and utility rarely seen in other storage systems. Shaker boxes the design and history of shaker boxes estilo shaker box maker shaker furniture bent wood trunks and chests antique boxes wooden bowls shaker style handmade furniture shakers shaker boxes back before plastic, people needed a way to store tea, spices and other small items. Oval boxes hold a lot with very little wood and are relatively quick and easy to make. Primitive folk art painted shaker box three finger joints bent wood. The uniformly slender sides are secured by copper tacks in the traditional shaker fashion. A nonbeliever named george roberts made boxes at the new lebanon community from about 1920 to 1940 using original forms, however the only boxes being created by a shaker brother in the 20th century was at the sabbathday lake and alfred communities. Shaker furniture is the one truly original american style of furniture. The wood, hardware, tools and instructional materials needed for box making are found at the home shop. Bentwood pantry boxes are available in both round and oval shapes and range in size from as small as a size 0, 4 x 312 x 1.
Aug 15, 20 have you ever seen the oval wood boxes traditionally handcrafted by shakers. Our cherry wood oval boxes are crafted by david kramer of cynthiana, ky with just as much patience an. The shakerstyle pantry box is a round bentwood box made by hand. Antique shaker utensil carrier, cutlery box, original bittersweetred paint mount lebanon, new york, 19th century maple the tall arched and pierced handle divides the dovetailconstructed box with canted sides.
His books are a visual treat, beautifully designed and printed with color images throughout, heavy coated paper, smythesewn binding, head and tail bands, and. Like the shakers, we produce our oval boxes in nine different sizes and like the original shaker numbering system no. Whatever you do, youll have a great time visiting us here at the barn in bloomfield. Debbie jarrett talks about her sawdust folk art and bob schultz discusses his shaker box construction with host kay bennecoff on this episode of your berks c. Ive been busy in the shop trimming swallowtail joints fingers for my next batch of shaker boxes. Oval boxes my oval boxes are representative of the style and swallowtail carving of elder daniel crosman 18101870, an oval box maker at mt. Form, function, and furniture, by sharon duane koomler, courage books, 2000. Stunning photos of seventy examples of the beat wood box introduces you to the traditional craft practiced by shaker craftsman and those who follow their example. Details of a few of the steps involved in creating shaker style boxes and carriers. Reproduction antique primitive boxes for sale ebay. John wilson, americas foremost expert on shaker oval boxes. Long handles could be added to make them easier to carry, whether to market or for collecting eggs.
Volume 2 features methods and projects on building many of the boxes included in the photo gallery of volume 1. Steps in box making there is no one right way to make an oval box, just as there is no one material for bands, no one system lor numbering sizes of nesting boxes, nor only one set shape to the fingers. Joiners work peter follansbee peter follansbee books. Production random bits of knowledge home shop views by john wilson hardcover, 220 pp. Jul 14, 2016 i was very pleased with how well the boxes turned out especially given this was the first time i ever made shaker oval boxes. Spend this time at home to refresh your home decor style. This gallery collection is the first book on oval boxes by john wilson. Installing tacks for shaker oval boxes and needlework boxes. Where can you find out more about the history of cardboard boxes.
After all of the hours i put in, researching and finding educational information on everything we do, its nice to have it done for me. Wilsons first book, making wood tools is now in its 2nd edition. At its best, shaker design is a harmonious marriage of functionality, simplicity, and elegance. Its clear crisp lines and singular lightness unite and transcend both traditional and modern settings, and for that reason it has remained a major creative force in our decorative arts heritage for hundreds of years. Whether instructing a class of eager students in basic to advanced box making, or training village staff and volunteers on the history, importance, and techniques of the craft, or bringing the shaker story to life interpreting box making for village visitors in the historic brethrens workshop, steve is unfailingly enthusiastic, engaging, and. In this 3rd volume on shaker oval boxes, john wilson digs deep into their history and design, with sections on materials used, projects to build and guidance on. This is a reproduction of an original sewing carrier made by sister lillian barlow 18761942 at the mt. J wilson shaker boxes eastern massachusetts guild of. The second will feature methods and projects including many pictured in vol i. However, the oval bentwood box had no special religious significance and in fact was being made in europe over a century before the shakers even existed.
One solution arrived at by the ever practical and efficient shakers was the oval bentwood box. These handsome oval boxes are handcrafted of cherry. The shakers produced oval boxes with uniformly slender sides, symmetrical joints, and neat, tightfitting lids. I like the reddish hue of cherry to give the boxes a beautiful oldtime look. Included are coordinating lidded boxes each with an overlapping ribbed seam to the side held in place with wood pins.
Intrigued by the book s measured drawings of shaker oval boxes, he found construction very challenging. Volume i of shaker oval boxes is filled with stunning photos and introduces you to the traditional craft practiced by shaker craftsman and those who follow their example today. The oval shape combines great strength with an affinity for storing everything from buttons to bows, lentils to love letters. The third will give history, materials and other oval box traditions. John wilson stacks up a few shaker oval boxes as he explains the various aspects of shaker oval box construction. A brief history of shaker boxes lehays shaker boxes. The oval shape may have partially developed for economic reasons.
On a visit to hancock shaker village years ago, i learned that the traditional oval boxes were made for storing foods in the pantry. Handcrafted shaker boxes lehays shaker boxes artisan. Cardboard boxes, tupperware, and ziploc bags would not be invented until a hundred years later. Follow along as we demonstrate how to bend straightgrained wood for the construction of oval shaker boxes. New listing 9 18 antique firkinwood sugar bucketblue paint shaker pantry box primitive. Discover the unique items that southernshaker creates. Tall clock this stunning reproduction of brother benjamin youngs famous tall shaker clock will be an instant family heirloom in any home. Books are hardback and in full color with drawings and instructions. The swallowtails are long and slender with the point of the arch almost reaching the main tack line. A set of signed handcrafted oval shaker nesting boxes by john wilson. Get the best deals on pantry box when you shop the largest online selection at. An advertising insert to the shaker chair catalogs of the mid1870s gave eleven sizes for their fancy oval covered wooden boxes. The tools necessary for making shaker boxes are not many, and a great variety of different tools may be used to do the same job. Following a brief introduction to making shaker oval boxes is an extensive annotated collection of photos of original shaker boxes.
Tie back, cloak pin, mirror knob, memorial, mourning figures and obelisk sacred to friendship scarce england circa 1775 to 1800 fresh and bright with strong color, sheetiron back and brass screw intact. Oval nesting boxes are one of the most widely recognized symbols of shaker society and shaker woodworking. Classes are held here and around the country that give handson experience in this traditional craft. John wilson, boxmaker shows examples of his work youtube.
Woodcraft magazine shaker nesting boxes paper plan. You can even sit down and pick up a book on woodworking or shaker history. For over thirty years we have been introducing people to shaker oval boxes by giving handson workshops in box making and supplying box makers with the wood, hardware, tools and instructional materials needed for box construction. Peter follansbee has spent his adult life researching 17th century new england furniture to understand the simple tools and straightforward processes used to build the historical pieces featured in this book. Any of the boxes presented in this gallery are available. The majority of shaker made oval boxes used maple for the bands and quartersawn pine for the lids and bottoms. For over thirty years john wilson has been showing people how to make shaker oval boxes. Or you can make your own shaker boxes and furniture in our workshops. Perhaps the most recognizable shaker product, oval boxes were traditionally made for storing food in pantries. A history of the united society of believers stein, stephen j.
Stunning photos of seventy examples of the beat wood box introduces you to the traditional craft practiced by shaker craftsman and those who follow their example today. Thankfully, shaker craftsmen also had a good eye for simplifying construction, so the box is not difficult to make. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Ive revised it to include better descriptions of the processes involved which were shown during the class, and tore unnecessary in the original, but i never thoroughly documented the process photographically. The woodworking was done to such a precise degree that the lids fit. Hand buffed with oil for a rich finish and superior moisture protection. Our boxes are available in all cherry, birdseye maple, or cherry with a birdseye maple lid. At etsy, we pride ourselves on our global community of sellers.
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