Terms and Conditions
The artist, title and date of the work must be listed anywhere the image is reproduced:
United States, New England (manufacturer)
Brush (late 19th century)
wood, horse hair
22.1 × 6.9 × 7.2 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Marjorie Josephs-Wilks Bequest, 2025
Photo: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
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Brush
(late 19th century)
Medium
wood, horse hair
Measurements
22.1 × 6.9 × 7.2 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Marjorie Josephs-Wilks Bequest, 2025
Gallery location
18th & 19th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
The Shakers prioritised cleanliness and hygiene in their communities and dwellings which was considered to be a visible sign of their inward purity. Mother Ann, the first leader of the Shakers had said to her community that ‘there is no dirt in heaven’ and ‘good spirits will not live where there is dirt’. In order to maintain this high level of cleanliness, the Shakers produced a myriad of brushes in different shapes and sizes to dust and clean their buildings, belongings and machinery.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
New England, United States
Accession Number
2025.817
Department
International Decorative Arts