One of the oldest crafts is basketry. Reed, grass, rattan, willow, bamboo and other materials of choice woven into utilitarian shapes that were often a thing of beauty. As basketry skills increased, furniture was introduced called wicker in which willow rods (or osler) were wrapped or woven around stiffer rods. Wicker furniture has been found as early as 3000 B.C.E. in ancient Egypt and tub-shaped wicker chairs have appeared on Roman reliefs. Wicker lost its luster in the mid-18th century until the Victorians revived it. Ever the sticklers for cleanliness. The Victorians revived the use of wicker furniture because they thought that wicker was more sanitary than upholstered furniture.

Collecting Antique Wicker Furniture

Collectors of all things associated with antique wicker will tell you that the coup de gras for any collector is the Victorian wicker baby carriage. The original wicker baby carriage came about during the Civil War, but didn’t catch on until the late 19th century.

Victorians were completely in love with the ornate designs and handcrafted workmanship that went into each baby carriage. Furniture manufacturers shifted part of the focus to making wicker baby carriages just to keep up with consumer demand. Sears & Roebuck devoted several pages of their catalog just to carriages advertising, “Cheapest Supply House on Earth.”

But why all the fuss? The Victorians knew that wicker furniture was both durable and lightweight. The airy look of the weave increased the feeling of being one with nature and furniture could easily make the transition from the parlor to the veranda, sunroom or porch when the weather changed. Thus, continued the Victorians love affair with wicker furniture.

Wicker is the term used to describe all materials used in making wicker furniture—rattan, cane, reed, fiber and other grasses as well as synthetic materials and paper.

Today, wicker furniture is still found in many homes. It’s durability makes it a worthwhile material for use in bedroom furniture, living room furniture and dining room furniture as well as outdoor and patio furniture. However, the designs that were once so sought after by the Victorians have shift toward more contemporary simplicity. Less ornament and more utilitarian. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t any less beautiful.

As technology as evolved, so has wicker furniture. Since natural materials can be prone to rot and mildew, synthetic materials and resin coatings are used to give the look of natural wicker, but without all the fuss of upkeep and maintenance. So, whether you are looking for a wicker bamboo queen headboard or white wicker furniture, you don’t have to restrict yourself to natural wickers, but then again, a nice Victorian piece would look very nice in the living room.