Wicker

The word wicker or "wisker" is believed to be of Scandinavian origin: vika, which means "to fold" in Swedish.

[1] Wicker is traditionally made of material of plant origin, such as willow, rattan, reed, and bamboo, though the term also applies to products woven from synthetic fibers.

Wicker is light yet sturdy, making it suitable for items that will be moved often like porch and patio furniture.

[5] However, archaeologists working on the tombs of the wealthy pharaohs have uncovered a wider variety of wicker items,[6] including "chests, baskets, wig boxes, and chairs".

[4] It has been proposed that the extensive use of wicker in the Iron Age (1200 BC – 400 AD in Europe) may have influenced the development of the woven patterns used in Celtic art.

Wicker received a boost during the Age of Exploration, when international sea traders returned from Philippines with a species of palm called rattan.

Wickerwork is an important industry in Poland, employing hundreds of skilled workers to create goods for export to western Europe.

Natural wicker is well known for its strength and durability, as well as the high level of beauty and comfort that an expert craftsman can create.

[13] Synthetic types include paper-wrapped high tensile wire (using the Lloyd Loom process patented in the early 20th century), and plastic or resin.