History

The use of straw and rattan has always shown our way of living, our traditions and our history through the ages.

Though they are for sure older than caned seats, it is only during the 18th century that straw bottomed seats are mentioned in some inventories. This tradition came without doubt from Italy where straw was used since the 17th century. Its use, as the auffo (rush growing on the banks of Durance and Rhone rivers, not harvested anymore), typical of chairs and armchairs from Provence where rye straw contributes to the beauty of our furniture. Be they the chairs of humble folks or arm-chairs of leading citizens, countryside looking or refined, the straw bottomed seats were and still are part of our wealth in regional styles.

Rattan cane history has been more eventful

Brought back from the Far East around 1610 by our exploring travellers from Compagnie des Indes, rattan cane trading was done in England and even more in Holland whose holdings covered a large part of occidental and oriental India and Indonesia.

Since the beginning of the 17th century, the master joiners began to make seats which were fitted with cane (roting according to the Dutch origin), sedan chairs for example. Everythingstopped suddenly under Louis XIV at the time of the conflict between the King and the House of Orange. The breaking of trade relations with Holland and England resulted in the disappearance of "roting". After King Louis XIV’s death, the Regent resumed trade relations. Once again roting was supplied to French workshops. Meanwhile, turners had nevertheless maintained a certain level of activity since a group of "turners selling chairs fitted out with rush and straw" was present in what will become Faubourg St Antoine. The fashion of caning work starts then never to stop except during the Empire and this again because of an armed conflict against England and Holland.

The 18th century has seen a wealth of innovations and creativity. Regency’s, Louis XV’s and Louis XVI’s seats with names which became famous such as Jacob, Sene, Cresson, Boulard, Othon, Tilliard etc. make us proud of our museums, castles, beautiful houses and lovers of our artistic heritage.

The XIXth century however is THE century for rattan and caning. In Paris, for example, the new rising classes of the industrial revolution, businessmen, politicians, leading citizens, live in the very recently built flats in the Haussmanian buildings and they furnish them with magnificent copies of XVIIIth century seats. If Louis Philippe’s style remains restrained Napoleon III’s style explodes with inventiveness, exuberance, imposing scale, beauty of know-how but is sometimes also unfortunately clumsy and pompous. Caned seats come as chairs, armchairs but also wing chairs, duchesses, and 2 or 3 seater sofas. The back rests are often made of double cane work. Sun caning work originating from England and fan caning work are very appreciated. Bedsteads are caned. Small caned benches are put on landings to rest while climbing the stairs. Later, when the very first lifts appeared they were fitted with small folding seats to sit down during the ascent.

In the XXth century caning work fashion goes on with the Thonet style, the 1920-1930 and Arts Déco styles etc… Copies are still being made. The shapes are more contemporary.The frames come in new materials. During the 1940-45 war, to alleviate the lack of rattan, a cane made of synthetic material and cotton is manufactured industrially. The 70’s have seen the arrival of industrial cane meant for seats designed for it but unfortunately too often used unwisely for the misfortune of artistic heritage and the caner’s craft which is belittled.

Today, caning work is not so popular. Though it has made proud and happy so many generations it is now considered too delicate and requiring too much attention and caution for our fast and hectic lives. As it requires long hours to make it does not fit well with our wish for things "not expensive". Luckily, many young and less young lovers of this artistic heritage and of this know how endeavour to maintain it.