Folk Furniture of Canada's Doukhobors, Hutterites, Mennonites and Ukrainians

Reviewer's Bookwatch, Dec, 2004 by Margaret Lane

Folk Furniture Of Canada's Doukhobors, Hutterites, Mennonites And Ukrainians

John Fleming & Michael Rowan

University of Alberta Press

Ring House 2, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1

0888644183 $60.00 www.uap.ualberta.ca

The collaborative project of John Fleming (Professor in the Department of French and the Centre for Comparative Literature at the University of Toronto) and Michael Rowan (Ontario-based specialist in folk art and ethnic furniture) Folk Furniture Of Canada's Doukhobors, Hutterites, Mennonites And Ukrainians is an impressive visual record and commentary on the culture and values of four ethno-cultural groups as reflected in their items of furniture. Many of the pieces represented were saved or salvaged from workshops or barns by the efforts of pickers and museum personnel traveling Canada's western provinces in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as by dealers and collectors who recognized the cultural value of various pieces. Folk Furniture Of Canada's Doukhobors, Hutterites, Mennonites And Ukrainians aptly illustrates the differences and similarities among the four ethno-cultural groups while showcasing the Canadian character found in each item. The superb color photography of James Chambers beautifully captures both representative and exceptional artifacts ranging from large furniture items such as storage chests, benches, cradles and tables, to small kitchen items such as spoons, bread boxes and cookie cutters. Folk Furniture Of Canada's Doukhobors, Hutterites, Mennonites And Ukrainians is especially commended to the attention of folk art collectors, as well as students of Canadian history, art, and culture.