Rattan Weaving Techniques

About Rattan Weaving Techniques

Different Rattan Weaving Techniques

In the article, we’re going to share you the rattan weaving techniques. In order to let everyone understand this knowledge from a more professional perspective, we have specifically consulted some related papers and extracted one of them for your reference.

The italicized text and pictures below are all extracted from “WOVEN FURNITURE DESIGN: IN SEARCH OF FORM AND TEXTURE” written by Regina Raycheva and Desislava Angelova, who are both from the University of Forestry. 

To begin this topic about the rattan weaving techniques, let’s review the synthetic materials first.

Synthetic materials

Synthetic wicker furniture is usually made of aluminum structural frames. Resin-wicker refers to synthetic material, usually nylon, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), vinyl or PVC. Woven plastic strips cover furniture frames made of metal or wood, and are much more durable than traditional wicker (patioproductions.com). Modern synthetic materials used in furniture are UV resistant and weather-proof, non-toxic and non-pollutant; pleasant to the touch, low-maintenance, lightweight and long lasting.

Now, here come’s the key point of this sharing. Please concentrate your attention, because the following content requires your certain understanding and thinking.

About the Rattan Weaving Techniques of the woven furniture

Woven furniture follows basically the rules of basket weaving: therefore some of the shapes thus produced have a definite likeness to that of a basket.or receptacle: here we can quote Palla Chair Primavera Armchair, E10 Rattan Chair, etc. A creative manufacturer, such as Paola Lenti, uses the African basket-weaving coil technique in some of its new models (“Afra”). Woven chairs are characterized by metal/rattan/wood structure, and a structural weave, usually tight, with some exceptions. The pieces are sculptural and generally consist of one single part or a small number of parts, involve exclusive hand work and have a great visual effect. Here we have found the following morphologic typologies: 

1. Closed Spherical Type ( Table 7 )

This is closer to a container than a proper frame furniture structure, morphologically it forms closed volumes . Here belong other closed shapes, such as Moebius Strip, ovoid shapes etc.

Closed Spherical Type
Closed Spherical Type

2. Open Basket Type ( Table 3 )

Open Basket Type
Open Basket Type

3. Flower Basket Type

This is a conical type, typical for a basket container, with a very decorative effect and a clear narrowing under the seat and wide flaring backrest.

Flower Basket Type
Flower Basket Type

4. Classical Roman Type ( Table 4 )

Starting from a basket type, these chairs feature characteristic half-round plan, ending in a round-shaped backrest with sloping armrests. This type was manufactured by Lloyd Loom in the USA and Britain. In its essence, this is a round chair with a woven surface and ‘skirt’ under the seat, and is typical for garden furniture use.

Fig.4. Classical Roman Type
Fig.4. Classical Roman Type

5. Flying Carpet Type ( Table 5 )

This type represents a woven metal frame bent in space so as to serve as a structure for both backrest, seat and legs. Classic example is a chaise-longue “809”by Mario Bonacina. Many chairs feature this concept of woven metal frames for their back-and-seat; here the form-building does not stem out from the weave or rattan pole shape; it is totally subjected to the metal structure.

Fig.5. Flying Carpet Type
Fig.5. Flying Carpet Type

6. The Tubular Type ( Table 3 )

This type is characterized by using hollow tube shapes all along their length, in order to achieve the seating-cum-backrest surfaces. The ‘tube’ is also open in order to achieve a lighter look. An example is the Wicker Chair by Marc Newson.  

Fig.6. The Tubular Type
Fig.6. The Tubular Type

7. The Mesh Type

Examples, such as Nautica hanging chair, Doeloe lounge chair, feature structures made only of rattan poles. Surfaces are built by thinner stems that are fixed near to each other; or by a mesh made out of such stems. With these two types, the volume is delineated by separate contours. This technique is used both in rattan material and in thin wooden parts.

WOVEN FURNITURE: CASE STUDIES

The Case Studies performed for this paper are summarized in the following 5 tables. The findings are systemized and organized following the above archetypal images; the weave is followed where possible.

A consistent interest towards wicker was established in the period of the 1950-s and 1990-s as well as the first decade of the 21st century. A clearly defined diversification of form-building, of texture experiments of new weaves and materials is established in the last decade, which tendency can be visually followed in the summarizing tables.

Table 3

Types of rattan chairs according to morphology of design: Open Basket and Tubular type

Open Basket and Tubular Type

Table 4

Types of rattan chairs according to morphology of design: “Roman Type” and its versions

Roman Type

Table 5

Types of rattan chairs according to morphology of design: “Flying Carpet Type” and its versions

Flying Carpet Type

Table 6

Types of rattan chairs according to Characteristic Weaves

Characteristic Weaves

Table 7

Types of rattan chairs according to morphology of design: “Closed Spherical Type” and its versions

Closed Spherical Type

You are so great if you have read to this end. Give yourself some applause. Hurray! If you have any questions, welcome to leave your comment below and we can discuss together.

* Article Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322469636)

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