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Wicker Basket

The term wicker refers to many long stems, or reeds, that have been woven together.  Wicker is often formed of reeds of oak, willow or ash trees to create a strong and durable item.  It is also one of the first natural materials to be used for furniture, dating back to around 3000 BC.  Wicker baskets have a broad history starting in Egypt and still continuing today.  There are many types of wicker furniture that you can find in all styles and colors to accent and decorate your house.  

Archeologists have discovered hundreds of wicker baskets at digs across Egypt.  They are made of reeds and swamp grasses that are found growing along the Nile River.  As the Egyptians perfected their methods to an art they passed along the design to the Roman’s.  Roman emperors began to utilize the newly presented material and constructed many new styles of furniture and baskets.  As word spread the use of wicker became common in several countries in Europe by the seventeenth century.  Southeast Asia also contributed a much stronger material, rattan, to form baskets out of. 

The first wicker baskets came to America with the pilgrims on the Mayflower.  In the 1850s Cyrus Wakefield, the father of wicker furniture (in America), began his own rattan importing company in Boston, Massachusetts.  The material became very popular with talented basket makers across America.  Wakefield then began designing and manufacturing his own line of wicker furniture.  His designs became popular quickly and his company became the leader of the wicker industry.  Wicker furniture became very popular in the United States for both indoor and outdoor use and has remained popular today. 

Wicker baskets are great to use for storage and carry because they are very strong and durable.  They elaborate design and classic beauty makes them great for decoration in your house, or even outdoors.  Wicker is great for outdoor use because it does not damage easily in intense weather conditions.  You can find wicker furniture and baskets at any home decorating retailer.  Online websites also prove to be great sources in finding the right wicker items to decorate your home with.

 

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