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Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Danish Modern Caned Furniture

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Expert: - 11/18/2009


Question

Cane seat and back on
I have 4 black laquered diningroom sidechairs with caned seats from the 50's. Over time the caning has turned crispy and no one can sit in the chairs safely.  One now looks like a ripped straw hat. I am thinking canoe seats have the right material -- elegant, but practical. Where do I buy that material? How do I mount it?  Does anyone make the exact same material so my seats and backs would match. Should I add wood beneath the seat? Intact chair picture attached.

Answer
You have caned seats it what looks like the standard cane pattern in a "hand cane", it's hard to tell from the picture. Either way, hand or machine, I would go to someone who does this type of work to get them done right and easy. The materials are available of the net but the skill and time to weave them is the catch. A hand cane seat can take 8-12 hours to do and the new material would be a light cream color, not aged like what you have now. The new can be stained but will not match exactly. As the new ages, it will change color from when first installed.
Here's my $1. suggestion,I don't know where you are located but find a couple of caners in your area and get a price for the seats and for the backs. Option 1 is have the 4 seats done and a light stain applied and let them age naturally. Option 2 would be to get the seats and backs done and again, a light stain to give it some "age". I don't know how many holes are in the seat but the cost could be up there. Another option would be to get 1 or 2 chairs done at a time starting with the worst and spread the cost out.
You may be able to find someone who teaches a class in caning and this could be an option also. Once you've taken the class, you could do the chairs yourself if you have the time. Don't let someone try to talk you into "converting" them to use machine cane, this will weaken the chairs and drop the value drastically.
If you get a couple of quotes and would like more advise, just drop me another line and I'll try and help.
 Good Luck with your project,
  Rob
  http://www.andersonsrestorations.com

Anderson's Restorations-Rob Anderson

Expertise

We can answer questions about wicker repair and restoration, chair seating[caning-rush-splint-danish cord] furniture refinishing and repair, brass and copper polishing, veneering and veneer repair. WE WILL NOT GIVE APPRAISALS or answer "WHATS IT WORTH" questions. If you want a value, contact us for our current costs for this service.

Experience

Just entered our 40th year doing this work. We started in Fl and have been in NC for the last 15 years. We have a web site www.andersonsrestorations.com where we have alot of information about us and a blog at www.andersons-restorations.blogspot.com where we have many before and after photos of our work.We also are experienced in Fiat Jolly Seats and other automobile seating and work on Horse Drawn Carriage pieces.

Organizations
Past president of a historical museum

Publications
Antique Shoppe Newspaper, Yadkin Valley Living Magazine, Antique Lynks Newspaper

Education/Credentials
Seminole HS in Seminole FL class of 1965 and some college before entering service. US Army

Awards and Honors
Asked to demonstrate seat weaving at the NC Musuem of History, Paleigh, for 3 days. Demonstrated at the Mountain Heritage Festival, Sparta,NC.

Past/Present Clients
Restoring 35 pieces of wicker for the Governors Mansion, Raleigh,NC paid through private funding.

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