Home | Company Profile | About Wicker | On-Line Catalog | Product Colors
How To Order | Request Info | Contact Us | Driving Directions

Wicker Palace, Ltd.

About Wicker

 

This page is divided into the following topics:

The History of Wicker | Caring for Wicker | Preserving Natural Wicker


The History of Wicker

The word wicker is believed to be of Scandinavian origin: wika which means to bend in Swedish, and vikker meaning willow. Wicker is not a material in itself, but rather an overall classification of furniture woven from any one of a variety of materials. Some of the more prominent materials being:

Rattan - presently the largest source used in the fabrication of wicker furniture. A climbing vine, native to the tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia. It commonly grows to lengths of 600 feet and diameters between 1/8 of an inch to more than 2 inches. The harvesting of rattan occurs between 7 to 15 years from the start of the new growth. Within the family of rattan, there are several hundred varieties. Rattan, unlike bamboo is a solid core vine which makes it ideal for use in making sturdy furniture.

Cane - the stem of large rattans. It has a distinct joint where the palm leaf connects to the stem, and assumes a yellow color during the drying process. Fine cane can be used to make natural wicker or for stained pieces.

Bamboo - these are large tropical grasses which commonly grow to over 100 feet. Bamboo can also grow at a tremendous rate, sometimes over 36 inches a day. Most plants grow naturally in the warm regions of temperate climates. There are approximately 500 to 1000 varieties of bamboo. It is easiest to identify due to its nodular growth and hollow stem.

Reed - this is the name given to items made by weaving swamp grasses similar to straw. Sometimes the term is also used for the core of the rattan vine. Reed is the material used on the early American wicker chairs.

Willow - this grows in the northern countries of Europe and regions of North America. It has value due to its rapid growth and for the production of light durable wood. Willow retains its natural moisture which makes it long lasting and easily woven. It can be easily identified because the diameter of each strand becomes smaller near one end.

The oldest surviving pieces of wicker furniture date from the Egyptian Empire. These pieces include chests made of reed and rush, wig boxes of reed and papyrus, and wicker hassocks and chairs. The popularity of wicker in America began around 1850 and is today beginning to find itself in a rebirth of popularity.

[Top of Page]

#4583 & #4584
Trellis Cabinet #4583
Linen Cabinet #4584

Caring for Wicker

Wicker is easy to clean, the best method being to dust regularly with a soft cloth, a soft brush, or vacuuming the piece with the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner. A soft bristled tooth brush is ideal for those hard to get places.

To maintain your wicker furniture, periodically wipe it down with a soft damp cloth followed by a light application of a good furniture polish for sheen and protection. If your wicker has become badly soiled, use water and a mild soap solution. Rinse and dry the frames.

[Top of Page]

Preserving Natural Wicker

When referring to wicker the term “natural” is used to designate any piece left unpainted. Originally natural wicker was either stained or coated with a light coat of clear varnish or lacquer. After cleaning natural wicker you can maintain its natural light beige color by applying a coat of colorless lacquer to protect it from soil and wear. A thin solution of an acrylic resin (polyurethane varnish) will also provide a protective skin that will resist soiling.

[Top of Page]

 

Home | Company Profile | About Wicker | On-Line Catalog | Product Colors
How To Order | Request Info | Contact Us | Driving Directions