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Types of Caning
Below are photos and descriptions of woven seats commonly associated with the term “chair caning.” Click on any photo to see a close up view of Ted's work.
HAND CANED SEATS
Popular since Europe and America opened trade with the Far East in
the 1500-1600s. Very common on 19th century Victorian era chairs.
Cane is actually very thin strands cut from the inner bark of the
rattan plant which grows to 40 feet in length. Strands are woven
in multiple layers and directions through small holes in the seat
frame, resulting in an open mesh appearance. About seven different
widths of cane have been used for chairs. The width of cane is
determined by the distances between the holes in the seat frame.
Such hand caned seats typically last 20 to 30 years. Cost is determined
by the total number of holes in the seat frame. It usually ranges from
$100 to $150 per seat (perhaps double that if both seat and back are replaced).
Looks the same as a hand caned seat, but is machine woven and installed as a sheet pressed and glued into a groove in the seat frame. Became available in the early 1900s as a less costly way to produce a cane seat chair. I refer this work to my neighbor David Little: (513) 961-4660.
Historically one of the oldest forms of woven seats, dating to at least ancient Egypt. Also, one of the longest lasting, elegant, and most challenging to produce. In Colonial and 19th century America these seats were commonly placed on all styles of chairs, particularly in less wealthy urban and country regions. Leaves of the common cattail plant, growing widely in marshy areas, are harvested, dried, and stored for later use. Before use, leaves are soaked for several hours to become soft and pliable. Weaving begins by attaching two or three leaves to the seat frame and twisting them into a thin, tight, smooth cord. The weaver simultaneously twists the leaves and wraps the cord in a figure eight pattern around, over and under the four sides of the seat frame, continuously adding leaves to keep the cord going. The final appearance is that of four triangular panels which meet in the center of the seat. A new seat is richly colored with the greens and golds of the fresh leaves. Over time it mellows to various shades of gold and brown. These seats will last 75 to 100 years or more. Cost typically ranges between $250 and $400 depending on size of area to be covered. Some Hitchcock and Windsor style chairs may have additional cost because they may require some disassembly to re-weave the seat.
Fiber rush is woven in the same four-triangle pattern as natural rush but is a factory produced cord made of tightly twisted paper, generally available in gold and brown colors. It first appeared in the early 1900s, and quickly became a popular substitute for cattail rush as it is much easier to use, and therefore much less costly. The finished seat is typically protected with one or more coats of shellac. Many colonial revival ladder-back chairs were produced with fiber rush seats in the 1950s and 60s. Its life span is typically 25 to 40 years. Cost normally ranges from $85 to $125 depending on size of area to be covered. Some chairs are constructed in such a way that the seat frame has to be disassembled to do the weaving. Additional cost may be involved.
Danish modern furniture became popular in America after World War II. Many chairs are made of teak wood and have a woven seat using a thin, strong, tightly twisted paper called Danish cord. This material is wrapped around closely spaced nails inside the seat frame as it is tightly woven in an over/under pattern. The life span of these seats seems to be in the 30 to 40 year range. Cost averages about $150.
Splint refers to long flat strips, usually from the inner bark or wood of a tree or the woody part of the rattan plant, which is called reed. Widths can range from ¼ to one inch or more. Dampened, pliable strips are wrapped over typically round dowels of a chair seat or rocker back while being woven into a herringbone or basket weave pattern on both the top and bottom surfaces. Hickory bark splint seats were found on simple country chairs throughout American history. Appalachian chair makers still produce these seats. Unless you harvest your own, hickory splint is very difficult to find as a replacement material. Flat reed is frequently used as a substitute. Flat reed has a smoother appearance but does not have the up to 100-year longevity of hickory bark. Cost for adult size flat reed splint seat ranges from $85 to $125.
Wider thicker strips of the same material found in hand caned seats. Used on country style chairs and rockers, especially “porch rockers”. It is woven in the same manner and similar patterns as splint seats. Cost for adult size seat ranges from $85 to $125.
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Revised January 7, 2007. Web site designed by Kate Dudding.