Rattan furniture is an all natural product made from Rattan, a cane/bamboo like plant that is related to the palms and usually found in abundance in the tropics. The tall slender rattan plant maintains a very uniform diameter along its length making it ideal for use. Regrowth from rattan harvesting is very fast, much quicker than hardwood forests. Rattan is light but extremely strong making it an ideal material for making furniture, weight for weight it is one of the strongest natural timbers available. Our products are 100% natural and environmentally sustainable. Like any natural product, rattan furniture has slight variations in colour and texture, this is natural and part of the beauty of rattan.
There are some 15 stages or processes that the cane must pass through to become the distinctive rattan furniture we all admire. After harvesting the cane is graded for size and quality, then dried and stored in racks.
Individual furniture designs require a range of different cane sizes and shapes. The correct size, diameter and quality cane is then selected. Each piece of cane is then straightened and checked for burrs and knots, any surface imperfection is removed.
Rattan is solid and not hollow like bamboo, and when heated it can be shaped and bent without splitting or breaking. Steaming is often used for shaping batches of cane rods.
Skilled craftsman using traditional techniques shape each length of cane to construct the frame. Small sections can be heated with a blow torch to assist shaping. Once cool the rattan will retain the new shape.
What a wonderful material.
All our pieces are hand made.
Once the individual pieces have been shaped and cut to length, they are then assembled into a frame.
Once the frame has been constructed the weavers proceed to create and weave their magic by creating backs and/or sides according to our designs. This is sometimes called 'wicker' and refers to the weaving such natural materials as sea grass, bamboo, split cane and more.
Wicker is woven over or around a frame to create 'panels' that are often very decorative.
Now the furniture really takes form.
Sanding is required to remove any sharps and prepares the cane for staining.
Staining is a very delicate process as the age of the cane, the air temperature and the humidity all affect the colour of the finished product. The variability is enormous hence a highly skilled craftsman is required to ensure that each piece is coloured correctly.
Once the staining has been completed, the finishing coats can be applied. Once again great skill is required as the same variables mentioned for staining are true for the finishing coats.
Final Q.C. Inspections are done before each piece of furniture is individually wrapped for the trip to your home.
Care of your Rattan Furniture.
Rattan and Wicker Furniture only require an occasional wipe with a damp cloth or vacuuming with a brush attachment, to remove accumulated dust.
For more detailed information, please contact us direct.
