SHAKER RAG RUNNER, Probably Upper Canaan Family, Canaan, New York, circa 1860–1880.Wool warp with woolen chair tapes used as a partial weft, 267 x 29 inches.

The Canaan family was once a part of the North family at New Lebanon. The companion to this runner, also from the John Roberts house, is now in the collection of Hancock Shaker Village.

Provenance: Eldress Sarah Collins (1855–1947) of the South Family, New Lebanon, NY; Collection of the John Roberts House, Shaker Farm, Canaan, NY; Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Boughton; Suzanne Courcier and Robert W.Wilkins; David A. Schorsch, 1995, private collection.

Published: Edward Deming Andrews, "Living with Antiques, A Shaker house in Canaan, New York," The Magazine Antiques, April, 1962, p. 409, where Andrews noted that "Eldress Sarah Collins of the South family took a particular interest in the project, and from her Mr. and Mrs. Roberts obtained braided and woven rugs." Catalog VIII: Excellence in American Design, Current Offerings from the Collection of David A. Schorsch, Inc. (New York: David A. Schorsch, 1991), p. 12, and cover detail.