Rattan Furniture: Crafting Style and Durability

Rattan furniture is crafted from a vine that grows in the mountainous regions of the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The long vines are cut into 15 to 20-foot lengths, bundled, and transported to manufacturers. Here, the rattan is steamed, allowing artisans to bend and shape it into various furniture pieces. The outer skin, or peel, is used for wrapping joints and as decorative accents, often referred to as cane, which is commonly used for seat decking and back support.