Towel or drying rack

United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (“Shakers”) American

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 734

In Shaker communities, tenoned drying racks were less frequently produced than x-shaped folding racks. Their placement in retiring rooms, kitchens, laundries, and shops showed their essential place in the daily activity of the Shakers. While an object of great utility, the streamlined, geometric shaping on the rack uprights and trestle feet correspond to the Shakers’ pioneering design aesthetics and proto-modernism that inspired folk art circles and contemporary abstractionists. As a gift from the heirs of Edward "Ted" (1894-1964) and Faith E. (1887-1990) Andrews, this towel rack joins many Shaker works acquired from their collection by the Metropolitan Museum.

Towel or drying rack, United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (“Shakers”) (American, active ca. 1750–present), White pine, American

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Towel or drying rack, United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (“Shakers”) (American, active ca. 1750–present), White pine, American
Towel or drying rack, United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (“Shakers”) (American, active ca. 1750–present), White pine, American
Towel or drying rack, United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (“Shakers”) (American, active ca. 1750–present), White pine, American

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