Wicker

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For the U.S. Senator, see Roger Wicker.

For the 2005 novel by Kevin Guilfoile, see Cast of Shadows.

A wickerwork scratching post

A wicker balloon basket capable of holding 16 passengers. The pilot is climbing out after some pre-flight tests

Plastic-wicker chairs in Toronto.

Wicker is hard woven fiber formed into a rigid material, usually used for baskets or furniture. Wicker is often made of material of plant origin, but plastic fibers are also used.

Materials used can be any part of a plant, such as the cores or canes of rattan stalks, or whole thicknesses of plants, as with willow switches. Other popular materials include reed and bamboo.

Often a frame is made of stiffer materials, after which more pliant material is used to fill in the frame. Wicker is light yet sturdy, making it suitable for furniture that will be moved often. It is often used for porch and patio furniture.

Wicker furniture has been documented as far back as ancient Egypt [2], and wicker baskets have been found in Pompeii [3]. It has been proposed that the extensive use of wicker objects in the Iron Age had an influence on the development of the patterns used in Celtic art. In recent times, its aesthetic was influenced heavily by the Arts and Crafts movement at the turn of the 20th century.

The oldest and most prominent North American manufacturer was Heywood-Wakefield in Gardner, Massachusetts. Antique wicker products are highly sought after by collectors.

There are also two types of wicker furniture available -- natural and synthetic. Natural wicker is made from rattan vine and is well-known for its strength and durability. Natural wicker is unsurpassed for beauty and comfort, although it requires a fair amount of maintenance to keep it in good shape.^[1]