How To Identify Vintage Wicker Furniture That Are Rare
You probably stumble across a furniture shop, and your eyes catch this beautifully and intricately woven chair or table. You ask the shop owner, and he tells you it is a piece of antique wicker furniture that has been around for sixty or seventy years. You go home and search for antique wicker furniture on the Internet and realize that the owner was right, yet you still wonder how to identify vintage wicker furniture.
You have stumbled in the right place because in this article you will learn how to look for genuine antique wicker furniture. Read on.
Brief History of Wicker Furniture
Wicker furniture has been around for centuries, particularly in Egypt and a few of the Middle Eastern countries. It was only during the Victorian Years that wicker became popular in the West. It became famous and in-demand because the elaborate designs woven were perfect for the Victorian aesthetic, which is overdone, overwrought, and beautiful designs. Its popularity rose from the 1870s to the 1940s. Surely antique wicker made of rattan, reed, or paper fiber is still being hunted by antique furniture enthusiasts.
Famous Wicker Names
Due to its popularity, wicker furniture became an industry in itself. The famous names dealt with the wicker furniture business are the Heywood-Wakefield Company, Whitney and Reed Company, Lloyd Loom, and The Dryad Company. Take note, remember, and know these names to help you determine the age of a piece of wicker furniture with their labels.
Wicker and Rattan: What is the Difference?
Before we answer the question: “How to identify vintage wicker furniture?” Let us know first what wicker and rattan are. Wicker is a type of basketwork, but it is not the generic term that refers to furniture made of woven materials. Wicker is when you weave fiber to form something rigid and sturdy.
Rattan, on the other hand, is the material used for wicker furniture. Well, one of the materials used for said furniture. It is a species of palm that is abundant in Australia, Indonesia, and Asia. It is highly pliable and strong, making it the ideal material to build unique shapes, like furniture.
To put it simply, not all wicker furniture is rattan furniture, but all rattan furniture is wicker furniture.
Benefits of Wicker Furniture
What is so special with wicker or rattan furniture then? Well, there are multiple benefits and advantages to having them. Here are a few of them:
Lightweight
Wicker furniture is made of rattan, which is lightweight. It is easy to move and still retain its stable and sturdy quality.
Flexibility
Wicker furniture is very flexible and customizable; there is no limit as to its variations and designs. It can come in many colors and uses—you can use it for holding glass, cushions, and lamps.
Easy to Clean
Wicker furniture, having a natural finish, needs only feather-dusting. Cushions placed on them are easy to remove for washing.
Durability
Wicker furniture is long-lasting. This one is even the reason why we are talking about vintage or antique wicker furniture. Taking proper care of these can help it stand for years.
Aesthetics
Wicker furniture has a unique design—it has an organic and natural look that can go with whatever interior design is on the background. You can even place it outside the house, on your porch or in your back yard.
Safety
Wicker furniture, being lightweight, makes it safer for children. Bumps and bruises can be reduced and avoided because of this quality of the wicker furniture.
There is a reason why antique wicker furniture is popular, and this list is the reason. Great design, lightweight, and easy to clean are the qualities that we all need for a piece of perfect home furniture.
How to Identify Vintage Wicker Furniture
We have now come to the part where you will know how to identify vintage wicker furniture. Here is how you do it:
Design
Familiarize yourself with all the traditional designed used for wicker furniture during the late 1800s and the early 1900s.
Hardwood
Antique wicker furniture comprises hardwood frames for its construction. Closely inspect the thing.
Weight
Antique wicker furniture should feel heavy and substantial.
Texture
The reed or rattan used in antique wicker furniture is of superior quality. The texture is always smooth.
Craftsmanship
The design and quality craftsmanship of the piece of furniture should be obvious.
Label
As mentioned, check the antique wicker piece if it has a label of those mentioned above—Heywood-Wakefield Company, Whitney and Reed Company, Lloyd Loom, and The Dryad Company.
Conclusion
Now you know how to identify vintage wicker furniture! It is quite easy. All you have to do now is to apply all that you have learned once you stumble back in an antique furniture shop. You may even get that antique wicker furniture for a good price.
Always remember the benefits and the ways to identify a piece of genuine wicker furniture. Check and inspect it properly, and who knows, you may discover something of value that is beautifully designed and bring it into your homes.
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