How do I care for cane furniture?

Keep cane seating away from direct heat sources and strong sunlight to prevent the natural rattan fibres from drying out and snapping. Light dusting with a soft brush keeps the weave clean, and occasional damp sponging helps maintain the moisture in older cane.

Can broken cane seats be repaired?

Traditional hand-woven cane panels can be unlaced and rewoven by skilled craftspeople using matching rattan strands. Machine-pressed cane sheets inserted into a groove require a different repair method using spline glue and pressure.

Are these chairs suitable for dining?

Dining chairs and side chairs offer sturdy upright support designed for table use, provided the cane panels remain tight. Armchairs and bergere models serve better in libraries or living rooms as reading seats.

How do I date a cane chair?

Examine the timber species, turning style and joinery methods to connect the piece with specific historical periods. Revival pieces from the Edwardian era often mimic seventeenth or eighteenth-century forms through machine-cut details rather than hand carving.