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Fancy decorative wicker such as your chair did not evolve until
Questions & the end of the century in the 1880s, after Wakefield invented rattan
(wicker) weaving machinery. Most of the highly decorative wicker was
Common Sense Answers produced in the 1880s and 1890s. A chair very similar to yours is shown
on page 88 of “The Antique Hunter’s Guide – American Furniture –
Tales, Chairs Sofas & Beds” by Marvin D. Schwartz, published by BD&L.
with Fred Taylor It was made in 1890 and has a hardwood seat like your chair. The latest
edition of the book places a value of $75-$300 on chairs like yours. For
more information on the history and evolution of wicker furniture see
the excellent book “Fine Wicker Furniture 1870-
This chair has been in my family since the 1930” by Tim Scott, published by Schiffer Publishing.
Q. end of the civil war. I was told by my aunt Thanks for writing and thanks for the photo.
that it was given to my great grandmother by a slave.
I just want to know more about it. I am also sending Shown: This type of fancy wicker work was
a picture. Thanks for any information. not widespread until the 1890s.
Family history is very often mistaken about
A. heirloom furniture. Along the way, the stories
gets embellished and the furniture has a tendency to Dear Mr. Taylor - I thoroughly enjoy your
get older. Wicker furniture (or rattan as it was called Q. columns. For many years, I bought many
items from Gaston Wood Products/Finishes.
originally, different from how we use the word rattan
today) was originally very plain and simple until well Apparently they are no longer in business. One
item I am trying to find a replacement for is a liquid
after the end of the Civil War. The major maker of
early wicker in this country, the Wakefield Rattan Co., “touch up”. They sold it in a eight ounce plastic
actually hired painters to paint scenes on the backs container. I apply it with a q-tip and it dries with a
slight sheen which I can rub down with 0000 steel
of chairs to decorate them a little. It is unlikely that a
slave gave this chair to your great grandmother since wool. Do you know of a source for a similar item?
Thank you. Charles M.
slavery had been abolished for over twenty five or so
years by the time this chair was made – just another
example of family history being slightly awry. Continued>
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