Wicker Furniture

The famous porches of the South wouldn't be complete without the appearance of graceful wicker furniture. Add a glass of cool ice tea and some potted ferns and you've got the makings of any historical movie or novel. Wicker furniture, woven from the canes of durable willow and rattan plants, are the epitome of Southern patio furniture. Their curved backs and armrests and floral cushions evoke a past era.

History of Wicker Furniture

The earliest wicker furniture recorded dates back to the Egyptian era. Rattan was commonly used and was in great supply. There are also records of the ancient Romans using wicker in their furniture and chests. Though it was used throughout Europe, the Victorian era in England made it an extremely popular choice for sitting rooms, indoor sunrooms, and protected porches. The first American company to manufacture wicker furniture was the Wakefield Rattan Company in the mid 19th century.

Wicker Today

The durability and timelessness of wicker makes it a popular outdoor and indoor furniture choice today. Most of the wicker material today is harvested in Southeast Asia. Many frames are composed there and then shipped to other countries to complete the process.

Types of Weave

All wicker originates from either the rattan or willow plant. With rattan, the plant is harvested, cut and cored, sanded, and heated for flexibility.

Open weave-a less formal, hand woven weave that is a bit less durable and more difficult to reinforce. Open weave wicker is great for decorative uses such as baskets, footstools, and other less stressful situations.

Loom weave-a tighter weave created on a loom. The loom makes the manufacturing process faster and the tight machine-made weave makes it longer lasting and more durable. Often aluminum or stainless steel cores are placed within the weave to reinforce the frame.(***END BULLETS***)

Wicker Care and Maintenance

Though wicker has the ability to last many years, proper care is essential for its longevity. Most wicker marketed for outdoor use has been coated with several applications of a mildew and UV-resistant finish. Still, wicker furniture should not be left outdoors under extreme weather conditions for an extended period of time. Routine dusting and wiping with a damp rag with mild soap will keep wicker fresh and like new. Small bristle brushes are great for cleaning the crevices between the weave.

Refurbishing antique painted wicker can be done by lightly sanding the old paint off, using a mineral oil to clean the surface, and applying a painted suited for wicker. Before any refurbishing, check with an antique dealer to gauge the value of your item. Any changes made to the surface can decrease the value of the antique.

By Sophia Markoulakis