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First of all its interesting to note that the first company in the U.S. to use machinery to shave Wicker strands off raw Rattan Cane was the AMERICAN RATTAN COMPANY operating in Fitchburg, MA.. This is important to note in the production of American made Rattan furniture.
Wicker and Rattan furniture as a commercial industry was created in America and not in Asia as many assume. The American production of wicker furniture began in the 1840's. This occured after the Chinese opened a number of treaty ports to foreign trade. Clipper ships would leave China bound for America with a variety of goods. Raw cane rattan was used as dunnage to secure the cargo and prevent shifting. This raw cane would then be discarded and left at the docks on America's east coast. One day in 1844, a 33-year-old grocer by the name of Cyrus Wakefield, collected an armful of the discarded rattan that had been abandoned at Constitution Wharf in Boston. Wakefield took notice on how flexible the cane was and an idea struck him. Could the cane be wrapped to produce furniture? Wakefield was not a furniture maker by trade but he still bent the rattan to produce a chair. He saw the infinitie potential of the material and quit his grocer job to pursue the rattan and cane idea full time..
It wasnt long when Wakefield realized he couldn't pursue a legitimate Rattan furniture manufacturing company using slow manual stripping processes. He needed a machine-based production capability. In the 1850's the AMERICAN RATTAN COMPANY of Fitchburg, Massachusetts was the only company using machinery to split raw rattan into wicker. Wakefield was familiar with the American Rattan Company because they were one of his customers for the raw Cane Rattan poles he was importing. He followed American Rattan Company's example in setting up a manufacturing operation on Canal Street with the same type of machinery.
To start his business Wakefield traded the raw rattan to basket makers and furniture manufacturers. The manufacturers used just the outer cane to weave chair seats and backs. In 1855, Wakefield and his wife left Boston and moved to South Reading, Massachusetts. There he established the Wakefield Rattan Company. He continued to sell the imported rattan throughout the United States and he continued to experiment with wicker furniture. Bending oak or hickory into flowing shapes, the frames were filled with ornate rattan patterns and wrapped with split cane.
Wakefield realized the reed or inner pith of the whole rattan plant had tremendous flexibility, enabling him to create ornate, Victorian designs. Throughout the 1860's the Wakefield Rattan Company cornered the market on the wicker furniture industry. From 1865-1880, the majority of wicker furniture was made for indoor use, although it was becoming fashionable as garden and porch furniture. A businessman and investor, Wakefield's generosity also matched his success. He would donate both the money and the land for construction of the South Reading town hall and in 1868, the citizens of South Reading voted to rename their town Wakefield in his honor.
In 1897 the Wakefield Rattan Co. merged with the firm of Heywood Bros. and for the next two decades this newly formed company all but monopolized sales of quality wicker furniture. As the 1900's progressed, Victorian and Art-Nouveau designs were considered increasingly gauche. Angular European designs began to curry favor and the Arts and Crafts movement took hold. The Gustav Stickley Company of Eastwood, New York began creating no-nonsense Mission-style furniture in oak and willow.
In response to this new trend, the Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Company began to produce similar designs in 1905, but with added features such as built-in footrests and magazine holders. By the 1920's there was a marked increase in the number of wicker items available. Besides settees, rockers, dining sets and occasional tables, items included phonograph stands, tea carts, smoking stands, floor and table lamps, planters, blanket chests, china cabinets, baby buggies, desks and sewing cabinets.
You would be surprised to know that there are still manufacturers here in the U.S.A that build wicker and rattan furniture. There are only a few but its nice to know we have kept that expertise here in America and of course keep those jobs here as well. You will note the American made items on our site with the MADE IN USA label. And as you might expect a lot of the manufacturing is also done in the Philippines, Indonesia, and China.Wakefield's early designs still form the basic framework of ideas used in today's Rattan and Wicker furniture.
Home of American Rattan and Wicker
* Conversation chairs (an S-shaped wicker sofa) allowed 19th century courting couples to sit face-to-face without touching.
* The airier look of wicker at the turn of the 20th century was largely due to rising costs in labor and increases in tariffs on imported rattan. This economical style of open weaving is most often found on chaise lounges and armchairs, designed for use by hotels. Manufacturers named these products after well-known resort areas, including Bar Harbor, Southampton and Newport. Today, open weave wicker of this period is usually referred to as Bar Harbor.
| Rattan and Wicker furniture is an original American craftsman tradition dating from early in the 19th century. In the 1840's Cyrus Wakefield started the first Rattan furniture company in South Reading, Massachusetts. Watch American craftsmen build Classic Rattan furniture right here in the U.S.A factory! |
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American Rattan & Wicker Showroom
1811 BAKER ROAD, ST. 101
HIGH POINT, NC 27263
TEL. 336 431-5777
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I recently purchased 3 SPICE ISLAND rattan bar stools for my tiki bar from American Rattan and Wicker. Given the disruptions caused by COVID-19, I didn’t know what to expect in regards to service and delivery. On both counts, I couldn’t have been more impressed. I had several questions about the chairs. They were all answered professionally and in a timely fashion. When the stools arrived, I couldn’t have been more delighted with the craftsmanship. They truly are works of art. Thank you for your product and thank you for your service! Gus G.
I ordered the BEACHWOOD rattan and wood collection from American Rattan and was somewhat nervous about purchasing this type of item on line without actually seeing it in person. I finally made the decision to order (because I absolutely loved the uniqueness of the dining set) and I cannot be happier that I did. The whole transaction went smoothly and the set is absolutely beautiful. The workmanship and quality is fantastic and I love it!!. The delivery driver was very friendly and courteous also and the set arrived in perfect condition. I would not hesitate to order from this company in the future. Mary K.
I purchased the Spice Island Rattan collection and selected one of the available patterns for the seat covers. I worked with Dave at the firm and explained that I would only be in Florida for a month and therfore delivery had to be by a set date or I could not place the order. Dave did the research and determined that it was possible to receive within my time frame. Dave provided the freight tracking information for YRC Freight. I called YRC when the order arrived at the destination freight location. The company provided the local number to schedule the delivery date. YRC delivered as scheduled. The driver informed me when he was 10 minutes out. Truly a pleasant experience with the freight company. The chairs were thoroughly wrapped to prevent damage. I love my new barstools! I would definitely order from American Rattan again, this is a company that understands what constitutes good customer service! Mary D.
I ordered this Beachwood Dining Set and it is absolutely beautiful! I could not be happier with my purchase. It was shipped from Florida all the way to Michigan and arrived in excellent condition. The photos do not do it justice as it is incredibly beautiful!! I was nervous about ordering something like this without actually seeing it, but I am so glad I did because I love it!! Mary Ann K., Emmett, MI
The Callaway furniture really enhanced the beauty of our VRBO cottage and the guests experience here in Laguna.
Linda D, Laguna CA.
Thank you for all your service, I love my new Liberty Dining Set. Karin L., Mechanicsville, MD
Hi Dave,
Wanted to let you know that we got our Orchard Park caster chairs and we love them! The colors work perfectly and they are very comfortable!
Thank you so much for your help in the purchase of the chairs.
Hope you have a great Holiday,
Judy E., Chester, MD
Im so in love with my Monaco Furniture. Have a wonderful holiday!
Marybeth L, Barnegat Light, NJ.
I ordered this piece for a special corner of our home. It arrived a couple of weeks ago and I am in awe every time I look at it. It is so beautiful and well made. I may even move it to another location where I can gaze upon it more often. Thank you for creating this wonderful piece! Cynthia K.
Dear Dave, My Bali Furniture order arrived Thursday, 19 Sep. It is exactly as I had pictured it in my mind, thanks to the web site info and the answers to all my questions you so kindly researched. When ordering anything online a person cannot be too careful. I am a happy camper! Many thanks once more. I know this a job to you and you do get paid for it, but from this side of that coin your expertise is much appreciated. Best Wishes, Janet M. P, Puyallup, WA.
Hi, our Bombay furniture arrived last night. It just looks great and we love it! I will send you some photos soon.
Nitya R., Hopkinton, MA
I received my Mountain View furniture furniture and I am very pleased. Thank you.
Carol R., Port Isabel, TX
Good morning Dave:
Just a note to thank you for helping direct and encourage me in the purchase of my bedroom furniture….it’s everything you said it would be and the Peace Transport delivered it yesterday…wonderful quality and it will grace my guest bedroom for many years to come…stay well…I would not hesitate to recommend your company to any of my friends.
Thanks again, and best regards,
David K, Boynton Beach, FL
Good morning, Marie:
Just wanted to send a note to thank you for all of your hard work with our recent order of the Key West, Palm Cove Bedroom sets, and Newport Bar stools. We are very pleased with everything and have received compliments from friends and family on our transformed guest rooms. We appreciate your attention to detail and assistance with our ever changing schedule. We look forward to using your services in the future, should the need arise.
Sincerely, Peggye and Bob C, Palm Coast, FL.
Thanks so much for all your help, love the Raffles Dining set, quality and craftmanship really shows. Ahhhh, in love with it.
Dave, my Vanatu chair was delivered and set up promptly and efficiently. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! So comfortable! Thanks for your help. Gretchen F, Ft Lauderdale
“I can’t thank you enough for getting our ABACA LODGE sofa to us before Christmas! I know you worked hard to find another shipper and we greatly appreciate it! The sofa is beautiful and perfect. We are 100% pleased in every way! I submitted a review to BBB, and will upload a picture tomorrow. I’m also ordering another piece after the holidays. Have a wonderful holiday–you made ours more special!”