Hand Caning

WHAT IS IT? Hand Caning is woven strand by strand all by hand attaches to the wood by holes drilled through the wood. It is the original and oldest of all caning techniques, dating back centuries. As you can imagine this is a time consuming technique!

MATERIAL: Cane is produced from the peeled-off bark of rattan which naturally grows in Southeast Asia. The strips of bark are cut into cane strips of uniform width and depth, referred to as peel. Each chair is evaluated, fitted with the correct size of cane, and woven to meet professional, historical, and museum standards. True cane is always used, never synthetic. To ensure the best quality, all cane is used within 1 year of import.

COLOR: When the cane is brand new and fresh it is a light blond color and will darken with age and oxidation to a deep honey brown. Information on color matching cane CLICK HERE

How do I know if my chair requires Hand Caning? CLICK HERE

Importance of neat backs

When Hand Caning a back, it is just as important that the back look as neat and finished as the front. Because it will be seen, the last thing you would want to see on the back of your chair is messy knots and twisted loops. That is why I always pay extra attention to and finish Hand Cane backs as neatly as possible.

What to look for: good caning Restoration

Client Testimonials

Weaving Correction

Improperly woven seats (and backs) can fail prematurely and do not meet industry and historical standards. New cane is sized and woven to the chair's requirements.

Structural Repairs

Structural repairs must be completed before new weaving goes in. Most I am able to accomplish in my workshop, but more severe repairs will have to be taken to a wood restoration specialist. The most common breaks and cracks happen between the holes in the wood where the cane attaches and are often covered by the finishing strip. Repair cost is evaluated per job.

A Selection of Hand Caning Before + Afters

Thonet, Kohn, and Bentwood

Michael Thonet was the father of bentwood furniture and developed world-wide distribution unheard of before. The pieces could be produced in Austria, shipped, and assembled at their final destination anywhere in the world. The designs were revolutionary- first produced in 1853 and Thonet factories still in production today. Authentic Thonet pieces are well marked- usually stamped right into the wood and paper labels if they have stayed intact . Many companies have copied and used his techniques- even today.

Completed for the Wexner Estate

Prague 811

Designed in 1925 by Josef Hoffman. Produced with and without arms.

Lincoln Rocking Chairs

These rockers are called Lincoln rockers (and sometimes referred to as Grecian rockers). President Lincoln was sitting in an upholstered version of this Early American style rocker when assassinated at Ford Theater. The rocker became iconic and commemorative of his death and loss. Over the *centuries* they have been made is many different sizes (they are still made today!).

Eastlake

Victorian era furniture produced between 1870-1890 and inspired by architect Charles Eastlake.

Full Size Rocking Chairs

Sewing, Nursing Rockers

Smaller in stature (sometimes mistaken for children's rockers) and often with hip guards

Chair Spotlight

"Dewey's Fleet Our First Victors"

Commemorative chair from the Spanish-American War
Battle of Manila Bay, Philippines, 1898. Lead by US four star Navy Admiral George Dewey who defeated the Spanish in 6 hours with only 1 American casualty.

A victory that inspired great pride and many commemorative items such as plates, spoons, pins, post cards... and chairs! Other style chairs were made embossed with his bust and boats he commanded.

Breuer's "Cesca"

New and corrected weaving

Stools and High Chairs

Angie's List Review: "She did excellent work and I plan to reuse her again." A rating

Tiger Maple and Burled

Very costly and fancy wood growth used solid or as a veneer. Worth their weight in gold! Some of these examples are as early as the 1700s!

Pressed Back

Hitchcock

Dining Chairs

Sleigh Back / Saber Legged Chairs

Some as early as the 1700s, high quality old growth hardwood. The overall shape of the chairs are similar, but the uniqueness lies in the decorative backs and natural variations in the expensive fancy woods.