Review by Mark Gezella – July 2006

Several months ago Larry Mehmert gave a very enthusiastic presentation on the methods and construction of Shaker oval boxes. Segments of his presentation were based on a supplement he provided which described the methods in detail, along with a website for his mentor. I received a copy of this supplement and finally remembered to bind it for entry into our library. With that complete I thought I would take the opportunity to explore this craft in further detail.

I'm sure by now you are all familiar with the oval box. It is perhaps the most representative of items ever to come out of a Shaker community. You don't have to search far to find all sorts of examples, and need look no further than our own library. You may recall a review I did a few years ago (Feb. '04) on a book called "The Shaker Legacy". Though written to provide a perspective on furniture, it covers all things Shaker and includes many references to oval boxes (among these is a comparison between Shaker ovals and a Japanese variation produced during the Meiji era in the late 19th century that I found interesting). These boxes are pervasive in Shaker life; not only as a means of income, but for use in their day-to-day lives. Their versatility is practically boundless, as they can be used to store contents that range from clothing to food-stuffs. As you might expect, you can find them in almost any room of a Shaker dwelling.

I find these containers fascinating because their slight appearance belies an inherent strength. As a kid I was shown how a single sheet of paper could support a book when folded accordion-style and set on edge. The same basic principal applies to the oval box; a sheet of thin wood set on edge and molded to an oval form becomes incredibly strong. And there are only three basic parts to these things! A base, an overlapping sheet of wood that forms the side, and a lid. When the thin wood is molded to the base, clinched, and surrounded by it's lid, it becomes rigid - transforming it into an unyielding structure against vertical forces while retaining it's light-weight properties. In fact, I've seen demonstrations where men have been able to stand on some of these boxes without any risk of collapse. Amazing!

I'm drawn to these boxes for several reasons. Foremost is the efficient use of material, coupled with an inventive process employed to produce them. It's a faith affirmation to see these craftsmen choose a slow-paced, hands-on approach to work where sensitivity to material trumps profit. This stands in stark contrast to modern conventions of mass production where quantity often takes priority over quality, and tolerances of material waste are simply part of a balance sheet. As I previously described, they are incredibly practical and highly prized for their wide range of applications. And, they are even efficient when not in use! Someone early on had the foresight to design a standard set of sizes for these which enables the empties to nest within one another. A complete set of over 18 boxes can actually be stored in a space no larger than that required for the largest box - pretty slick!

Our new library entry is actually a two-part instruction booklet. Part One is the document assembled by Mr. Wilson from his website, while Part Two is a reprint of an article he wrote for Popular Woodworking magazine. It's nothing flashy - no gloss and not much color. But I don't think it was meant to dazzle - it is all utilitarian, with a nod towards pragmatic use over pretentious appearance. A lack of glitter gives purpose to it's use. If you're interested in your own copy of the instructions, feel free to visit the website and print the pdf. Otherwise, this supplement will be available for check-out at the next general membership meeting.