The Wagan Standard

The New Lebanon, New York community of Shakers was always the most prolific of all the communities in terms of chair production and the most active in sales of chairs to the outside world. But this effort intensified in the 1860's under the leadership of the chair business by Brother Robert M. Wagan. Brother Wagan expanded the business, built a new chair factory (1872-1874), introduced and expanded the use of mass production techniques (while still retaining certain handcraft), introduced chair catalogues (1874), completely adopted the numbering system of size identification (from 0 to 7 with 0 being the smallest) and introduced the use of decals and chair numbers on the chairs necessitated by the proliferation of similar inferior chairs by other companies who tried to capitalize on the growing Shaker success (1875; see our previous blogs Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and Sharing Means Caring).

In addition to these changes, by the mid 1870's, with the introduction of the mass production techniques, the chairs from this community start to take on a distinct look, most notably the acorn shaped finials. In addition, certain hallmarks of handcrafting disappeared, most notably the distinct scribe marks previously found on the back posts. We call the chairs from New Lebanon from the start of this period "production" chairs.

This contrasts with other shaker chairs, either ones from other communities or ones from New Lebanon prior to this period, which are 100% handcrafted, and as a result, while all follow the ladderback style common within and outside Shaker communities, were each unique. These chairs are collectively referred to as "community" chairs. You can find several examples of community chairs, both from New Lebanon and other communities, in our Collection. You can also find some other commentary about the differences between community and production chairs in our previous blogs Production v. Community and Production v. Community II.

In the first couple years of "production" chair manufacturing, the form evolved slightly as Brother Wagan introduced different elements of mass production and worked on his design. By 1880, Brother Wagan had perfected his form and production. From that point forward, until the 1930's, the chairs, for the most part, are exactly the same. We call this form of Shaker chair the Wagan Standard and it is the most common form of Shaker chair found today.

The Wagan Standard is identifiable by several distinct design characteristics. Sharp acorn pommels, slightly arched and ungraduated slats, bent back posts, vase turnings on the front posts between seat and arm, arms with definition at the wrist and elbow, mushroom tenon caps and standardized double swooping rocker blade on the rocking chairs.

Pictured is an excellent example of a Wagan Standard No. 5 Arm Chair with new cream and grey one over one webbed seat which I recently completed. I hope you enjoy it!