Monoprix, Alinéa, Maisons du Monde… All the major brands offer their rattan furniture and objects.
No doubt, it's the topic of the moment.
But rattan has already had many successes.
From the end of the 19th century, rattan furniture was a hit.
They are perfect in winter gardens.
Light and beautiful, they also have a very fashionable “exotic” side.
Then, the fashion runs out of steam.
To resurface in other forms in the 1960s and 70s.
In 1972, the Italian designer and interior architect, leader of chic hippies, Gabriella Crespi, developed rattan sofas, armchairs, poufs and table lamps for her wealthy clientele.
We are snapping up these exclusive pieces which, a sign of the times, were recently reissued by Gubi.
In 1974, in the film
Emmanuelle
, a high-backed rattan armchair bursts through the screen.
Immediately named Fauteuil Emmanuelle, it remains a furniture icon.
For several years, we have felt that rattan is (re)growing in interiors.
And this spring there is even a generous hatching.
“Rattan has always been associated with a desire for naturalness, a return to basics.
He is warm, reassuring.
This really corresponds to the desires of our time, explains Laurence Vauclair, antique dealer on rue de Beaune in Paris and expert in rattan and bamboo furniture.
Today in many stores, you can find accessible and very well-made furniture.
Although they are attractive and rather qualitative, they remain industrial and have nothing to do with 19th century pieces worked with the greatest care and complex techniques.
There is the same difference between these mass-market products and this antique furniture as between a vegetable purchased at the supermarket and another purchased directly from a small producer.
» This is a conclusion that tickles the desire to know this furniture better.
First precautions
When hunting for these pieces, it is still better to take a few precautions and keep your eyes peeled.
“We look at the condition of the feet and bases.
If they are damaged or cut, we don't buy.
This is often because the furniture has taken on water and will therefore have lost stability: the damaged material would require a significant investment in restoration, explains Laurence.
We are also interested in the seats and backs.
If some fibers are broken, that means everything will have to be rewoven... It will be difficult and expensive!
Finally, the rattan should not be gray, a sign that the fiber has “cooked” and is dead.
Rattan is a natural fiber, sensitive to its environment.
It resists heat and cold, which is why it was so appreciated in winter gardens.
Especially since the slight humidity which falls in the evening in these spaces nourishes it.
On the other hand, if the rattan has been exposed to rain, if it has been left in the snow and then dried in the sun, it will have been considerably damaged.
» Keeping these few recommendations in mind, we can explore the flea market aisles and push the doors of second-hand and antique dealers to find the 5 essential rattan pieces selected by Laurence Vauclair.
The lounge chair
Very large American chaise longue, dating from 1860: a rare piece.
Vauclair Gallery
“The rattan chaise longue is one of the stars of the mid-19th century.
It is synonymous with a new way of living: the possibility of being languid outside.
Before this period, we don’t “stay” outside.
At this time, the deck chair regularly moved from the winter living room to the garden, so it was designed to be transported.
It is light, some parts fold away, the armrests are removable.
It has also been designed to be convertible, to be able to lie down or sit down with notches to adjust the backrest and footrests that fold down.
You can find very nice deck chairs for a budget of around 1000 euros.
But there are also exceptional pieces in natural rattan entirely embroidered with fine basketry.
I have one in the shop: it is American and dates from 1860. Its rattan has also been enameled so as not to be discolored by the moonbeams passing through the glass roofs at nightfall.
It's high fashion.
These models were often accompanied by large coordinated baskets in which the cushions were stored.
»
The street lamp
Rattan floor lamp, dating from the period 1900-1920.
Vauclair Gallery
“In the winter gardens it was a centerpiece, its height making it possible to give relief to the decor of the room.
Catching the eye, it was the object of all attention and its line was particularly worked.
I fell in love with a charming model from the 1900s-1930s, probably made in France or Italy, with a bowler hat-style lampshade (3,600 euros).
Its silhouette, unlike many rather stiff models, is soft, sensual with a base made of hoops.
If you are looking for a smaller rattan light fixture, you should know that you cannot find table lamps dating from the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th century.
These lamps are rather typical of the 1950s and 60s and can be found in all shapes starting at €300.
»
The planter
Pair of brown rattan planters enhanced with red and green edging dating from 1900 Galerie Vauclair
“Like the floor lamp, the standing planter adorns an elevated winter garden.
This is a truly remarkable piece.
And then, it allowed (and still allows) to bring nature, plants inside.
I am lucky to have a pair of very elegant and light planters at the gallery (3200 euros per pair).
The feet are not imposing, their slightly curved base is very graceful.
There is nothing heavy in their silhouette: it is the height, the very delicate work of the rattan which makes these planters extraordinary.
Generally speaking, planters are a rare and therefore expensive product.
»
The bar
Rattan and bamboo bar dating from the 1960s. Galerie Vauclair
“The bar is a fairly typical piece of furniture from the 1960s and 70s.
I like its user-friendly and practical side because its rear part allows you to store all kinds of things.
I recommend turning it into an office, which is fun and ergonomic: it allows you to not always work seated.
It can also serve as a separation in a space.
In short, it's a very practical piece.
I love this rattan and bamboo model (2200 euros).
It is quite sober and chic, rather graphic with its set of vertical rods and its low horizontal rim which recalls the shape of the top.
It's a fairly imposing model and you can find other more modest and less original ones for around 800 euros.
»
The armchair
Pair of natural rattan armchairs decorated with red and green edging, from the Perret & Vibert factory and dating from 1880. Galerie Vauclair
“The rattan armchair is a style exercise that has allowed all kinds of creations, shapes, with or without armrests.
There are simple models and others more complex like those manufactured by the Perret & Vibert house around 1880 (from 1800 euros for the small model).
The fiber is worked in such a way that it evokes embroidery.
The back and base of the models I present at the gallery are decorated with flowers that look like lace!
The seat is made of small rounds around which the rattan is woven.
The whole is decorated with red and green edging.
It’s truly magnificent work.
Of course, armchairs from the 1950s, 60s, 70s are much simpler and sometimes accessible for less than 150 euros but the quality is absolutely not the same.
»
Galerie Vauclair, 24, rue de Beaune, 75007 Paris.
www.galerie-vauclair.com