Originally woven from rattan, a vine grown in Southeast Asia, wicker furniture has been popular in the United States since the 1850s, when it was first manufactured by the Wakefield, Rattan Company in Reading, Massachusetts. Since then, wicker has been adapted by many great furniture designers to create pieces that suited their aesthetic principles. These pieces are often highly collectible, since they blend bold artistic statements with the natural beauty of wicker. Does this Spark an idea?
Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Co.
Originally two companies, Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Rattan joined forces in 1897 and dominated the American wicker market for the next thirty years. Before and after the merger, these two manufacturers produced a majority of the designs traditionally associated with wicker----comfortable patio furniture, ornate rocking chairs, and sturdy baby buggies. The company closed in 1930s. Original Heywood and Wakefield pieces are prized by collectors, while reproductions of their work are available from many manufacturers.
Gustav Stickley
In the early 20th century, Gustav Stickley transformed the look of American furniture by replacing the elaborate curves of the Victorian era with the straight lines of the new "Mission Style." He worked with wicker as well as more traditional wood furniture design. Stickley's wicker is spare, with minimal decor. His chairs, tables, and lampshades are highly sought after today. Reproductions are available from many manufacturers.
Poul Kjaerholm
Danish architect Poul Kjaerholm designed most of his elegant wicker furniture for his own personal use. His chairs reflect the simple lines of other modernist architects like Alvar Aalto and Mies Van der Rohe, while the use of wicker lends them a sense of warmth and texture. Kjaerholm's work is functional, meant to be supportive and comfortable to the sitter. Reproductions are available through specialty manufacturers.
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