A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CHAIR CANING:
“Caning” has come to be the general term for many types of seat weaving including Fiber & Natural Rush, Machine & Hand-Woven Cane, Seagrass & Danish Cord, Hickory or Oak Splint/Split Weaving, Shaker Tape, and even rawhide woven seats. Technically, anything but the 6 way pattern (in pressed or laced form) is Chair Seating or Chair Seat Weaving or Seat Weaving.
Footstools, chairs, canoe seats, headboards, cabinets, guitar amps, even decorations on ceiling fans have cane designs. It is currently trending like crazy!
Cane is derived from the rattan palm. The “top” side of a strand of cane is naturally smooth and silica coated; the “back” raw side is actually the cellulose fibers of the plant. It is native to Southeast Asia.
Nerd Alert! – How Rattan is Made into Cane Strand for Chair Seat Weaving
Chair Caning has always been a global trade. Rattan came over with the tea & spice trade in the late 1600’s and quickly replaced upholstery which was known to harbor vermin. Woven seats were abundant in England and France in the 1700’s, and went in and out of fashion until the early 20th century with the Bauhaus movement of modern architecture and classic Mid-Century Modern design.
The most comprehensive study of caned furniture is written by my guru: Dr. Brian Crossley, ‘Caned Furniture,’ The East India Company at Home, 1757-1857. (February, 2014)
I could go on, and on, and on…but it’ll basically be a book. I’ll keep adding stuff as time goes on. Stay tuned!