Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
Is rattan better than wicker?
1 Answer
No, rattan isn't better than wicker — they're not interchangeable terms. The use of rattan stretches from prehistory to IKEA. To clarify, rattan is not bamboo, which is a rigid, hollow reed. Stalks of rattan are dense, steamable and bendable, which is why it lends itself to curvaceous designs and infinite creative uses in a way bamboo does not. Nor is rattan synonymous with wicker, which is a broader term for woven items — often made of rattan fibers but also of willow, other pliable reeds or even synthetic materials. Wicker and rattan tend to get a bit of a bad rap, but they can actually mingle with a wide range of styles — when done the right way.
Find vintage rattan chairs, dressers, stools and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find vintage rattan chairs, dressers, stools and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 5, 2024
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Shop for Rattan Furniture on 1stDibs
Pair of Elephant Nightstands or Side Table in Rattan, Vivai del Sud, Italy, 1970
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and rare pair of Mid-Century elephant-shaped side tables with removable trays, fully made in hand-woven wicker. These stylish organic pieces were designed by Vivai del Sud ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
1970s Dutch Manou Bamboo Sofa by Mondileder, Gerard van den Berg Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Manufactured by Mondileder in the 1970s, this large three-seat sofa features a frame built from thick, dark-lacquered Manou bamboo, bent and stacked into horizontal rails that form t...
Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Leather, Lacquer, Rattan, Bamboo, Upholstery
Set of Ten French Dining Chairs in the Manner of Charles Dudouyt, C 1940
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful set of ten French rustic modern/Art Deco dining chairs in the manner of Charles Dudouyt, each with a tall rush back woven in a bold basket-weave pattern with an arched pi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Rattan, Wood
Large Mid-Century Modern Valinte Table Lamp in Brass & Rattan, Finland 1950s
By Valinte Oy
Located in Helsinki, FI
A striking and unusually large Finnish Mid-Century Modern table lamp by Valinte, manufactured in the 1950s. Elegant in its simplicity yet sculptural in its form, the lamp is defined ...
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass, Metal
Hotte Rattan and Leather Armchair and Pouf by Philippe Starck for Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Hotte Rattan and Leather Armchair and Pouf by Philippe Starck for Cassina
The gerla, a basket used in fruit harvesting, with its sturdy round base, wide opening and light weight (cr...
Category
2010s Italian French Provincial Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Rattan
Italian Mid-Century Rattan and Leather Magazine or Decorative Basket, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and unique large decorative basket in curved rattan and brown leatherette. This stylish organic basket was produced in Italy during the 1970s.
In amazing condition and with a charming warm natural patina. The basket features a cylindrical body entirely covered in deep cognac-toned soft leatherette, elegantly supported by a handcrafted rattan structure. The arched handle and the open curved rattan base create a light silhouette and showcase the outstanding craftsmanship behind this piece.
Both functional and decorative, this piece can be used as a magazine holder, newspaper basket...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Materials
Brass
