Rattan Furniture Indonesia

Rattan (from the Malay rotan), is the name for the roughly six hundred species of palms in the tribe Calameae, native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australasia. Most rattans are distinct from other palms in having slender stems 2-5 cm diameter with long internodes between the leaves; their consequent growth habit also differs, not being trees but vine-like, scrambling through and over other vegetation. They are also superficially similar to bamboo, but distinct in that the stems are solid, rather than hollow, and also in their need for some sort of support; while bamboo can grow on its own, rattan cannot. Some genera (e.g. Metroxylon, Pigafetta, Raphia) are however more like typical palms, with stouter, erect trunks. Many rattans are also spiny, the spines acting as hooks to aid climbing over other plants, and also to deter herbivores. Rattans have been known to grow up to hundreds of metres long.

Most (70%) of the world's rattan population exist in Indonesia, distributed among Borneo (Kalimantan), Celebes (Sulawesi), Sumbawa islands. Indonesia is most of rattan furniture producer in the world. The rest of the world's supply comes from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

In the forests where rattan grows, its economic value can help protect forest land, by providing an alternative to loggers who forgo timber logging and harvest rattan canes instead. Rattan is much easier to harvest, requiring simpler tools and also much easier to transport. Furthermore, compared to most tropical wood, rattan is much faster growing.

Generally, raw rattan is processed into several products to be used as materials in rattan furniture making. The various species of rattan ranges from several millimetres up to 5-7 cm in diameter. From a strand of rattan, the skin is usually peeled off, to be used as rattan weaving material. The remaining "core" of the rattan can be used for various purposes in furniture making. Rattan is a very good material mainly because it is lightweight, durable, and flexible to a certain extent.

Rattans are extensively used for making furniture. Cut into sections, rattan can be used as wood to make furniture. Rattan accepts paints and stains like wood, so it is available in many colours; and it can be worked into many styles. Moreover, the inner core can be separated and worked into wicker. This makes it a potential tool in forest maintenance, since it provides a profitable crop that depends on rather than replaces trees. Whether it can be as profitable or useful as the alternatives, however, remains to be seen.

To make an unique furniture, rattan furniture can be combine with other materials such as abaca (a species of plantain banana tree, grown especially for the inner layers of its bark. This robust plantation grown material is woven in intricate patterns of great style that our designers use to maximum effect), waterhyacinth (is made from the dried stems of this ubiquitous aquatic plant in an ingenious weave technique to create comfortable sofas and chairs, that are not only strong but are pieces of great beauty and character), seagrass, kubu, loom, plastic wicker, wood, alumunium and iron frame.

Wicker is any sort of hard woven fiber formed into a useful object. Wicker is usually used for baskets or furniture. Traditional wicker is made of material of plant origin such as rattan, abaca, seagrass etc, but nowadays also plastic fibers are used.

Materials used can be any part of a plant, such as the cores or canes of rattan stalks, or the whole thickness, as with willow switches. Other popular materials include reed and bamboo.

Often, a frame is made of stiffer materials, after which more pliant material is used to fill in the frame. Wicker is light yet sturdy, making it an ideal inexpensive option for furniture that will be moved often. It is often used for porch and patio furniture.

Do not allow your rattan furniture to be exposed to harsh ultraviolet sunlight for prolonged periods of time, as this can affect the colour. Turn the cushions periodically. Gently wipe over the frames with a moist, clean cloth to remove dust or spills and vacuum the woven parts with a soft brush attachment.

For major liquid spills, remove all upholstery, hose the waterhyacinth furniture and place outside or in a drying room to dry. Please note that it is important that the furniture is dried and not remain wet or damp for any length of time as this will result in mould and subsequent deterioration of the water hyacinth furniture.

Waterhyacinth is a natural untreated handmade product and will absorb moisture and dry out in direct relation to climate conditions. To avoid any deterioration it is recommended that the environment be dry and well ventilated.