Discipline, discourse and deviation: the material life of Philadelphia Quakers, 1762-1781

Herman, Bernard L.Quaker plainness in the eighteenth century is incompletely understood. Despite theology, Quaker-owned Philadelphia Chippendale furniture is not plain in appearance--scholars have been unable to reconcile theological understanding and the range of acceptable objects. Philadelphia Monthly Meeting minutes and the Book of Discipline reveal that plainness is used metaphorically, and does not translate directly to the object world. Plainness is defined through the Quaker concept of the inner light and individual, equal access to God. The concept of conversation highlights the issue of mediating theological and material life. Deviation may show lack of religious conviction or a different but valid position; disownment testimonies embody this discursive ambiguity. Philadelphia Chippendale high chests and chest-on-chests exist as a separate expressive system. Variation is allowable within the stylistic competence, and may not correspond to Quaker precepts. As one aspect of Quaker conversation, furniture ties together theological and material life within a single expressive sphere. {Abstract from ProQuest citation page)M.A.University of Delaware, Winterthur Program in Early American Cultur