What is the caning technique?
Caning is a technique that consists of weaving rattan strips. This operation is generally performed on rattan, as it combines naturalness, biodegradability, lightness, flexibility, and rot resistance.
We can distinguish these types of caning:
- Full checkerboard;
- Openwork;
- Doweled and glued;
- Marquise or French.
What are the different caning techniques?
There are two main caning techniques: the traditional technique and the industrial technique.
The traditional or artisanal technique
Traditional caning consists of manually weaving six strands of rattan bark to create regular octagons. The width of the strands ranges from 1.6 mm to 3 mm depending on the space between the holes. It is not the same during assembly or filling.
Weaving is done in three steps:
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Assembly: This is achieved by interlacing two horizontal and two vertical strands. Then, the craftsman passes them through each of the holes in the backrest or seat to be adorned. Finally, the strands taken in pairs will form a surface of small squares with an untangled appearance to create a regular pattern;
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Filling: This is done by tying a strand diagonally and filling it with small squares. At the end of the process, the caner has a hexagonal pattern, and the strands used have a more voluminous structure than during assembly;
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Finishing: The craftsman slides a spline to hide the frame holes and stretch the caning if necessary.
The industrial or mechanical technique
Industrial or "pre-caned" caning is used to design mass-produced seats and cover frames. It is woven on mechanical looms and uses a natural material even if its frame has no holes.
The latter has a groove crimped with a piece cut to the size of this rattan cane "fabric" which is held and secured by a rattan pith filament.
The bare chair technique
To carry out this technique, it is necessary to unglue the spline and the pieces of caning caught in the groove of the seat. Then, the craftsman moistens the inside of the groove, which helps remove excess glue and caning.
Wet wood becomes fragile and requires particular attention to avoid slipping. This phase requires great dexterity, otherwise, the wood of the seat will be damaged.
The bare chair technique goes through several stages, namely:
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Removing the old caning: remove the spline from the edges of the groove with a cutter without notching the edges of the furniture. With a screwdriver or scissors, completely empty the groove;
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Installing the new caning: the rattan caning is soaked in warm water before being stretched and blocked with a maximum of ten wedges. However, these can be removed to make way for a thin line of wood glue;
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Performing finishing touches: a piece of spline is cut with a length slightly greater than that of the groove. Then, a sacrificial piece is placed with a mallet to force the cut spline into the groove.
Caning work requires patience, perseverance, and meticulousness. Eight to twelve hours of work are necessary to weave an ordinary seat. However, it sometimes happens that artisans complete certain pieces in over 100 hours.
Maison Louis Drucker: the benchmark for the best rattan caned chairs!
Traditional caning alone promises durability and weaving quality. It is also the technique on which Louis Drucker bases his custom-made rattan furniture creations.
At Louis Drucker, our professionals have defined five
caning ranges, namely:
- Basic;
- Classic;
- Prestige;
- Exceptional;
- Masterpiece.
These ranges offer you a wide choice for customizing your various furniture (
caned chairs, tables, etc.).
Choosing Maison Louis Drucker means choosing the best rattan caned furniture. Our specialists design several models of chairs by hand and to measure. So, don't wait any longer and contact us to enhance your spaces!
