Antique Wicker Chair | Antique Wicker Rocking Chair
Antique Wicker Chair
Even though that antique wicker rocking chair sitting out on the porch may be old, it is anything but old fashioned. Wicker is an incredibly popular material today and is used in everything from living room furniture to dining room furniture to bedroom furniture to occasional pieces that are sure to add a unique look to any room in your home. Furthermore, by using antique pieces, you are bringing a bit of history and the past into your home. Many individuals prefer antique furnishings because they are not found in everyone’s home. Antique pieces of furniture allow your home to be unique and personalized instead of having the standard furniture that appears in every home in the country. For this reason, the market for antique wicker chairs has dramatically increased.
The majority of antique wicker chairs date from around the turn of the last century during the Victorian age. The Victorians fell in love with this exotic woven type of furniture and included it in every room in their homes. Furthermore, pieces from this time features bamboo like influences, as Asian furniture was especially popular. The Victorians adored anything that was heavily decorated, and the heavy woven aspect of wicker tickled their fancy. Furthermore, the elegant lines and curves of wicker allow the furniture to develop even more of the Victorian flair. Typical pieces of Victorian antique wicker found today include large chairs, tables, settees, and plant stands that were especially popular during the Victorian age.
An antique wicker chair is also available from later years, when wicker became popular once again. This time, the mid-century modern craze was in full swing and the natural materials became the preferred substance. Using much cleaner lines than the heavily decorated Victorian furnishings, these mid-century modern pieces thrive on simple design. With many Scandinavian influences seeping into to popular design, these unique and stylish pieces are still incredibly popular today. Although they may not be old enough to be classified as antique wicker furniture, the mid-century modern pieces are highly collectible and look great in homes of today.
If you are interested in purchasing antique wicker furniture, be sure to carefully examine each piece. Since wicker is a natural material, it can become quite fragile over time and even break or split. Be sure that all of the joints are well composed and the material is not breaking, splitting, or rotting in any place. Furthermore, check the seats of any chairs or settees you choose to purchase, since they are usually the first tell-tale sign that a problem is present. Wicker will have some movement, but should not sway or rock at any point. Since an antique wicker chair can be quite pricey, ensuring that you are getting a well made piece of furniture in good shape is the key to getting the most out of your money.
Once you purchase an antique wicker rocking chair, you should strive to maintain the piece properly. Dust and dirt is a huge enemy of wicker, so keeping the furniture clean is a priority. Using an attachment with stiff bristles, use your vacuum your wicker furnishings on a regular basis to remove any dust, dirt, or debris that can accumulate in between the fibers of the wicker. Also, carefully wash down the wicker using a damp cloth in order to remove any stains or spills immediately before the material has a chance to soak up the spill. If your furniture has any damage, you need to seek a professional wicker furniture repairer to restore the piece to new condition. This may be quite expensive, so work diligently to stop problems before they have a chance to start. Also, if you see structural elements begin to become damaged; do not continue to use the piece unless it is properly repaired. A small repair may be quite simple, but continuing to use a damaged piece is a way to potentially ruin your antique wicker furniture.