Look at the objects around you. Observe what they’re made of. Try to guess which plant, animal or component of earth they come from. Can’t trace some objects’ origin? It comes as no surprise that they’re synthesized in the lab. We live in an unparalleled era in the history of materials. It seems that nature can be mimicked, made more efficient.
Furniture-wise, rattan is one of the materials that are common in synthetic form. Yet the beauty and function of natural rattan remains highly sought.
Nature is a multi-sensory experience. Rattan lends a rich texture, subtle woody scent and visually pleasing variation in its grain.
Throughout the ages, natural materials create a sense of well-being. Traditional cultures identify a “life force” that permeates everything in nature. Qi in Chinese, prana in Hindu, pneuma in classical Greek — all point to the flow of energy between us and our natural surroundings. Being with natural things, like ourselves, sustains us.
Nature has a story as rich as life itself. We delve into the story of rattan in nature.
Rattan is the outer layer of several species of slender, vine-like palm plant. Among rattan’s many uses, building furniture has always been its strongest suit. Building rattan furniture is the source of livelihood of many people in rural areas in Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
Rattan is highly durable and flexible. When this lightweight material is woven, it serves well as a mat, basket, rope, net, table, chair and more.
Rattan can also be built into handles of keyboard percussion instruments like the xylophone. It is even used as a strong housing material.
Rattan has nearly 600 species that are grown in Asia, Australasia and Africa.
Rattan is not only for building. In Assam, a northern state in India, rattan shoots are eaten as a vegetable.
The dragon blood resin found in rattan’s fruit is even used as a dye for violins.
Because of its sturdy and lightweight characteristics, it was as striking weapons for arnis, a Philippine martial art.
In 2010, Italian experts declared that rattan can be used as “artificial bone” in the process called “wood-to-bone”. Calcium and carbon elements are added to complete the formula, creating an almost exact replica of bone material.
Rattan vines can grow as long as 500 ft and 1-2 inches in diameter. When rattan is harvested, it is cut into 13-foot lengths and the dry sheathing is removed. Its stems are dried in the sun and then stored for seasoning. Then, these long rattan poles are straightened, graded by diameter and quality. The quality is judged by its inter-nodes – the fewer inter-nodes, the better.
The age of colonization introduced the West to rattan furniture. Wicker, a process of weaving rattan, gained popularity in the Victorian Era. Rattan was seen as the symbol of tropical island living. People recreated the idyllic lifestyle in grand houses and saloons using exotic rattan furniture.
To this date, nothing evokes relaxed living the way rattan furniture does. Rattan furniture designs are produced in astounding variety. Artists and designers continue to experiment with this humble material.
Call us or email: info(at)centrepiece.com.sg to discuss your order. By calling Vince, whatapps ( 90305057 ) you can speak direct to us, we don’t have call centres or customer service departments, you speak directly to the people making your sofa.
Looking for rattan furnitre or reuohlostery to change the look of your home? We will be able to assist you.
Shop: Centrepiece Lazada
Stay Connected
Contact www.centrepiece.com.sg or email: info(at)centrepiece.com.sg
Note: If you are a new customer, and you need the upholster to do home visit, a $40 willl apply. This is to prevent people who are not serious in getting upholstery services from abusing the system. This not only drive the business cost up, it will also be a waste of time and resources. However, this $40 can be reimburse if the job is confirmed upon deposit. For existing customers, fees can be waived.
Images
1. Woven rattan streetside store in Malaysia 2. Rattan house in the Philippines 3. Rattan dish, Assam, India 4.An 19th century illustration of a tribesman with rattan leggings for arnis battle 5. Victorian outdoor wicker, Cowan’s Auctions
For many people, they realize their furniture piece is still in great shape except for the fabric, and its quality construction has lasted longer than some of their newer pieces. Before manufacturers were forced to cut corners in quality with mass-produced furniture, they were built with better quality and materials and all together better workmanship.
