Americana & Folk Art
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Peggy McClard Antiques Americana & Folk Art |
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Sweet little Shaker chatelaine, made for sale to the "outside world".
The United Society of Believers were a religious society that became
known as "the Shakers" because of the trembling and shaking of the
members during prayer. The Society was founded in England, but
became popularized by Mother Ann Lee who led a group of believers to
America in 1774 as the result of a vision. The Shakers believed
that God had a male and a female entity and that Mother Ann was that
female entity. The first self-contained community for Shakers was
established in New Lebanon, NY in 1785. The population of Shakers
grew until it reached its height in the 1840s with over 4,000 believers
living in 16 self-contained communities in 8 states. The Shakers
believed that women and men were equal, which was a great draw for women
in the 18th and 19th centuries. They welcomed anyone who agreed to
adhere to their beliefs, which included celibacy, open confession of
sins, communal ownership of property, separation from the outside world
and a strong work ethic. Although the Shakers lived separately
from the outside world, they made goods to be sold to a very willing and
eager outside world. They were prized for their well-made and
simply designed furniture and household items. This watered silk
chatelaine is an example of those simply, but elegantly designed
household items. Like all chatelaines, it was meant to be worn
from a lady's belt so she could have her sewing implements quickly at
hand. It includes the original light blue silk ribbon with a
heart-shaped stuffed pincushion, a tiny strawberry emery, a pair of
needlework scissors and a needle case in the shape of a book. As
you can see by the photos, the silk of the heart-shaped pincushion has a
few tiny spots where it has shattered. The silk of the emery has
worn down to the canvas lining on one side below the hand-stitched hull
of the berry. The needle case book has a tiny bit of shattering to
the silk on one side (see the photo at the bottom right). Overall
though, it is in quite good condition. Some of these chatelaines
came with a wider, longer silk ribbon that had bone rings (which allowed
them to fit easily over the lady's belt instead of being tied to it).
There is no evidence that this particular chatelaine every had the
rings. The silk ribbon seems to be untouched. Circa late
19th to early 20th century. Shaker items are still quite hard to
come by and very desirable. (#585) $300 |
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peggy@peggymcclard.com with
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Copyright © 2012 Peggy McClard Antiques
