Tilter?

I just finished taping this tilter chair. What is a tilter you may ask? Tilter chairs were one of the many inventions of the Shakers. It was the first Shaker invention that I became aware of back when I was small boy living in Guilderland, NY, right near the first Shaker settlement in Watervliet. Tilters consist of a ball and socket mechanism at the bottom of the back posts where normal feet would be. In some rare cases the button and hollowed part of the post are made of pewter or brass and attached the back posts of the chair. They were intended to keep the chair from marring the floor when the Brothers tilted back on them. The Shakers were very particular about thing being kept "just so" and this particular invention must have kept their floors in very nice condition! The date that Tilters were first used by the Shakers is unknown. On September 27, 1819, Brother Freegift Wells (a well documented early maker of Shaker chairs) wrote in his journal that he began to "trim off an ball the chairs" which make have been a reference to tilters, which were also known as "buttons". What we do know is that on March 2, 1852 a patent was issued to Brother George O. Donnell, member of the New Lebanon Community. We also know that Shaker Chair Price Lists Circa 1850 reference "Button joint tilters" which can be added to chairs for $0.25. As for this particular chair, it is very special. First, it is made of tiger maple. Figural maple woods, such as tiger maple and birds eye maple, are my favorite material used by the Shakers. Furniture made with these woods are a very striking addition to any interior design plan. Second, it was acquired from a prominent dealer of and expert in Shaker furniture. He is also a good bit of the inspiration of the launch of this website, but that is a story for another time. In the meantime, don't forget to visit this chair and many others in our Collections!