Whether you're looking for a piece to sit outside on your deck or patio or want to add some organic beauty to your living room or office, antique wicker furniture is a great choice.
This type of furniture was very popular in Victorian England,or USA Albany California and the popularity spread to America as well. But how do you know if the wicker you're looking at is truly antique?
Origins
Wicker, a type of furniture that is hand-woven from natural materials such as rattan, is a popular style of furnishings today. However, its origins go back centuries to Ancient Egypt and other Middle-Eastern countries.
Throughout history, people have been using rattan for all sorts of things, including building houses, baskets, and other types of woven structures. Its ability to withstand extreme weather conditions and its light weight make it a very attractive material for many different kinds of furniture.
The first wicker furniture in America came over on the Mayflower, but it wasn’t until the 1850s that the industry began to grow significantly. This is when Cyrus Wakefield, a grocer in South Reading, Massachusetts, realized that he could use the vines on ships that were bringing rattan from Asia as ship ballast to create wicker furniture.
He started the Jardin wicker company in Albany, Massachusetts, and quickly started importing clipper ships full of rattan, which were in great demand by basket makers. Soon, the Jardin wicker company became an American wicker furniture industry powerhouse.
In the early 1900s, a new movement called the Arts and Crafts Movement took hold and encouraged wicker to be reintroduced into the design scene. This wicker was lighter and airier than its predecessors, often with a lattice look that was reminiscent of Mission and Craftsman styles.
It was also becoming increasingly popular for wicker to be made out of paper fiber, especially the Lloyd Loom variety that was invented in 1917. It was made from spaghetti-like rush paper strands that were woven on a large fabric-like loom.
These were a favorite among antique wicker furniture collectors during the 1920s, as they were easy to paint and sometimes even upholstered in upholstery fabrics. They were also a good choice for modernizing homes because they were affordable, lightweight, and durable.
When it comes to hunting down vintage wicker pieces, the best place to start is in your local estate sales and thrift stores. You can find some great deals on rattan and wicker at these places, as it is a cheap material that was once very popular.
Styles
Antique wicker furniture is a popular style of home furnishings that have been produced for centuries. It can be found in a wide variety of styles, from Victorian and Arts and Crafts to Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern designs.
Antiques often have a natural look, but they can be painted or stained to add a more modern touch. They can also be made of rattan or bamboo, which are more durable than other types of wicker.
Wicker furniture is a great choice for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to furnish their home with a classic, timeless design. Its lightweight construction makes it ideal for porches, conservatories, and other outdoor spaces. It is also a great way to incorporate a calming and soothing color into a room's decor.
Its woven nature means that it can be used to make a wide variety of different pieces, from sofas and chairs to trunks and dining sets. You can even find wicker lamps, mirrors, and T.V. stands, as well as other home accessories like hampers and desks.
Victorian Age
During the Victorian Age, wicker began to grow in popularity across Europe and the United States. It had already arrived in the Americas with early settlers and was soon being used for storage bins, as well as clothing and other items that could be transported easily.
The Victorian Age would be a key time in the development of wicker, as it was a time of globalization and widespread trade. By the time it ended, wicker had been refined, improved, and adapted in new ways that helped it continue to be a staple of home furnishings.
Aside from its use in furniture, wicker is also commonly used to weave baskets and other household items. It is a versatile material that can be used to create unique looks, and it is easy to clean, making it a good choice for any home.
Some of the most common materials for antique wicker furniture are rattan, willow, and cane. Rattan is the most common type of wicker, and it is very sturdy. It is available in many shapes, and it can be shaped into the twisted and braided patterns that are so important to wicker.
Materials
Throughout history, wicker has been an extremely popular form of furniture craftsmanship. From ancient Egyptian pyramids to President Kennedy’s prized rocking chair, wicker has captivated a multitude of people with its beautiful designs and unique properties.
Although many of these woven pieces have been reproduced using synthetic materials, a small percentage of wicker is still made from natural fibers such as paper, rattan, and bamboo. When you’re looking for antique wicker furniture, it’s important to know what type of material was used in its construction.
The most common material used to make antique wicker is rattan, which is a palm from Southeast Asia that has a thin hard bark that can be bent without breaking. Rattan palms have two layers, the outer skin or “cane” and the inner core known as the “reed”. Reed is a porous material that will accept stain, paint, or a final finish treatment of varnish or lacquer very well.
Another common wicker furniture material is willow, which is a wood from the willow tree that is used in a wide variety of wicker furniture and other household items. Willow is a much less expensive and lightweight alternative to rattan, but it doesn’t have the same durability or strength as rattan.
Victorian and Art Deco eras
During the Victorian and Art Deco eras, wicker was used as both a decorative accent and a functional furnishing. It was inexpensive, durable, easy to care for, and a natural match with the style demands of the time.
While wicker is still a very popular form of furniture, modern wicker has become sleeker and more sophisticated. It can be found in a wide variety of styles and sizes.
In addition to traditional rattan, there are now many new wicker furnishings that use resins, a synthetic wicker that is made to withstand the elements while remaining strong and able to hold up to regular use outdoors. These furnishings are also available in several different colors.
To keep your wicker furniture looking its best, clean it regularly with a mild soap and water solution. Avoid using harsh chemicals that could strip away the fibers or damage the wicker’s finish. If you do choose to clean your wicker with chemical products, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Care
Antique wicker furniture can be beautiful and a great addition to any home, but it must be properly cared for to achieve maximum longevity. While some wicker pieces are relatively easy to clean, others require special attention.
Synthetic resin wicker requires little maintenance, but natural wicker can become brittle with too much exposure to the elements. For this reason, these pieces should be kept indoors to avoid damage from the weather.
To keep these pieces looking their best, hose them down at least once a year to remove dust and prevent fibers from drying out. Vacuuming can also help prevent fibers from becoming brittle, but it’s best to use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
For untreated antique wicker, it’s important to keep the fibers moist, so lightly spray them with a water-filled mister every three weeks or so. This will also prevent the fibers from getting dry and brittle, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.
In some cases, a piece of untreated wicker may look old and worn, but the finish has become dull and deteriorated, or the furniture needs a fresh coat of paint to restore its luster. Fortunately, these repairs are fairly easy to make on your own and will not destroy the wicker in the process.
If your wicker chair seat cushions have become stained, you can clean them with a soft cloth dipped in lemon oil. Be careful to not drench the wicker with too much lemon oil, as it can yellow the surface.
After the wicker has been cleaned, it can be given a light sanding with a fine-grit sandpaper. Then, use a clear lacquer or varnish to protect and add shine. Apply the coating in thin coats to allow time for it to dry before applying a second coat.
It’s especially important to be sure that the wicker furniture you’re painting has been cleaned thoroughly, as you don’t want to accidentally paint over the existing finish or leave unsightly streaks. You can always lay a drop cloth underneath the furniture to protect it from accidental sprays of paint.
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