The Difference Between Wicker and Rattan
Contributed By: BAG EditorsIs there much of a difference between rattan and wicker chairs? There sure is! Wicker simply means that the furniture has been weaved. A wicker chair can be weaved out of any strong, pliable material. They are often made out of rattan, but not always. They used to also be made out of straw and now are often made from high grade plastics and resin composites. A rattan chair, on the other hand, will always be made out of rattan. So – to summarize, rattan is a tree and wicker is a production method.
More about rattan:
It is a very unique tree that begins life much like bamboo, but as it grows, it falls over and takes on the characteristics of a vine. Rattan happens to be a very strong, solid wood with a grain that grows top to bottom unlike most trees whose grain will grow in concentric circles. Rattan is mainly found in Indonesia, which produces about seventy percent of the world’s supply. Rattan also has a place in helping to sustain tropical forests. Forests need to grow well, and from a harvesting perspective, it is not only easier to harvest but rattan also grows much faster.
A few words on wicker:
When did wicker chairs come into fashion? You’ll have to go back a ways. All the way back to the ancient Egyptians of 3500BC. Ancient wicker chairs were made out of reeds and grasses during King Tut’s days. They have never really been out of fashion, but really exploded during Victorian times when an elite and prosperous class flourished and could now afford luxurious estates with gardens and solariums. Wicker was the perfect chair to compliment these sitting areas. Wicker furniture has always gone through declines in popularity, but always seems to make a comeback. It would be surprising if you didn’t have at least one wicker chair in your home.
Buy wicker or rattan furniture here.
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