Expert: Anderson's Restorations-Rob Anderson - 2/3/2010

Question
QUESTION: I am sending a couple of photos of a wicker sofa (patio, I think) that was given to me.  It is over 7' long across the longest area of the back and over 5' across the seats. The seat cushions are 28" deep.  The fabric is canvas and the cushions are stuffed with cotton. There are springs in the seat cushions. Is this actually classified as "wicker" and would I de-value it by recovering the cushions?  Thanks for any insight you may have on this piece.

ANSWER: You sofa is made of Rattan. Wicker is a term that covers many materials, sometimes several are used on a piece.Rattan is the base of many materials. By itself it is bent a makes furniture, the outer "bark: is peeled off and that becomes "cane" for seats while the inner part is sized and becomes round reed.This item does fall under the "wicker" heading.
You would not take away from the value to have the cushions recovered.To make a piece usable will keep it's value highest.I would guess that at one time, this item was part of a set that would have had another piece, without the curve, that went at each end to form a curved set that possibly had a corner table to go behind it at the curve.
It looks like a nice piece, good luck with it.
 Rob
  http://www.andersonsrestorations.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the info-someone told me this type of 'porch sofa' was from the '40's, as the seat cushions are spring? Should I paint it, to perserve it or just leave it with its existing finish? I don't think I will use it outside, maybe a lanai furnishing. Thanks again for your help.

Answer
The date is possible. I would need some other pictures to be more exact on a date. That type was made from the early 40 and very popular during the 50, especially in places like Fla where I grew up, very tropics/tiki hut. The item was probably not painted originally. Rather then try and remove the paint, unless you want to, I would give a light sanding and repaint. The main thing you want to avoid is sanding through the protective "skin" or natural coating on the rattan. That cannot be repaired.
 Good Luck with this,
   Rob
 http://www.andersonsrestorations.com