What is cane on a chair?

Cane is made by using rattan bark, a plant with a long stem. It is woven into a mesh of split canes, which is then stretched over parts of the framework. In this case, cane is woven to make a chair seat and back, for a rustic look. On 1stDibs, find a range of cane chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.

What is a cane chair?

Cane chairs feature a woven pattern on either the seat or the back. They're called “cane” chairs because the woven part is made of cane, which is basically the skin of a rattan vine. Once it's peeled off, it's woven into the intricate pattern for furniture.

Are cane chairs strong?

Yes, a properly cared for cane chair is very strong. Because cane is a plant fiber, it can dry out and become brittle over time. However, with proper oiling and by keeping your chairs out of direct sunlight, you can enjoy your cane chairs for many years to come. You’ll find a wide selection of cane furniture, including chairs, on 1stDibs.

How do I identify a Victorian chair?

To identify a Victorian chair, focus on the frame rather than the upholstery, which might have been replaced over the years. Look under the seat and on the legs for maker's marks. If you find any, conduct online research to determine if the manufacturer was active and producing chairs similar to yours during the Victorian era, which lasted from the 1830s through the turn of the 20th century. Some chairmakers who were active at the time include Chesterfield, Charles Hindley & Sons, Heywood-Wakefield Co., Howard & Sons and Jacob and Josef Kohn. Should you be unable to locate any markings, you can examine the characteristics of your chair to determine if it reflects the Victorian style. Easily recognizable, Victorian furniture is regal, ornate and luxurious. It often features curved lines, stately proportions and highly detailed geometric and floral embellishments. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can also aid you in the identification process. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Victorian chairs.

What is a Victorian slipper chair?

A Victorian slipper chair is a chair that was made to be shorter than the average chair. The height of its seat was 15 inches from the floor, compared to the standard 17 to 18 inches. Shop a collection of Victorian slipper chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Are cane seat chairs comfortable?

Whether cane chairs are comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. Designs vary widely, but pieces with upholstered seats may provide plusher support. On 1stDibs, find a variety of cane chairs.

When were cane back chairs popular?

While cane back chairs have been made around the globe for thousands of years, it was in the 1970s that this style took the world by storm and became a must for many households. It’s the organic, natural look of a cane back chair that made it so desirable and that makes it a modern furniture element as well, with its tropical vibe and vacation attitude. Shop a collection of cane back chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is a Victorian lounge chair called?

What a Victorian lounge chair is called depends on its style. A piece that is long and narrow and has a raised headrest on one end and a lower backrest on the other is a fainting couch. Upholstered chairs that have long, extended seats meant for reclining are chaise longues. Find a collection of lounge chairs on 1stDibs.

How much does it cost to cane a chair seat?

To cane a chair, it will cost around $50 for the sheet and materials. If your chair has holes around the edges and it is an older piece, thin cane strands can be used to recane it. A professional will charge roughly $2 per hole, resulting in a chair costing approximately $350. Find cane furniture today on 1stDibs.

Victorian Cane Chairs

Antique Victorian Carved Walnut Caned Throne Chairs by Michigan Chair Company –

$2,250 / set

$2,950

$1,596Sale Price / set|20% Off

$1,800

$3,600

RARE Vienna Secession Bent Oak & Cane Easy Chair No. 01 by Thonet

By Thonet

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Rare late bent oak & cane "Easy Chair" No. 01 by Thonet featuring an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood with striking fluid curves and elegant oval arched...

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Antique 1880s Austrian Late Victorian Lounge Chairs

Materials

Cane, Oak

1920 Art Deco Bent Oak & Cane Chair No. 144 by Thonet

$975

$1,000

Vintage Thonet Style Large Bamboo Bentwood Cane Rattan Rocking Arm Chair

By Thonet

Located in Dayton, OH

A large Iconic bentwood rocking chair, attributed to Thonet. Made from bamboo in with caned back and seat. Measures: 22" x 42" x 42" / Seat Height - 20" at front before sitting, 1...

Category

Mid-20th Century Victorian Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Bentwood

Victorian Beechwood Bergere Open Frame Elbow Chair With Rattan Seat

$1,625

Victorian Beechwood Bergere Open Frame Elbow Chair With Rattan Seat

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Victorian Beechwood Bergere Open Frame Elbow Chair With Rattan Seat A Classic elbow chair, ideal for an hallway or bedroom. Elegant in proportion and delicate in frame. Height 90c...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Bergere Chairs

Materials

Cane, Oak

Recent Sales

Victorian Bentwood and Cane Rocking Chair by Thonet

Unavailable

H 36.62 in W 19.69 in D 37.41 in

Victorian Bentwood and Cane Rocking Chair by Thonet

By Thonet

Located in Heathfield, East Sussex

A bentwood and cane rocking chair by Thonet. Having the Thonet trademark beautiful flowing organic form. The cane is in good condition and solid. The chair has good color and wear is...

Category

Antique 1890s Austrian Late Victorian Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Antique Rare Victorian Gilt Cane Inlaid Bedroom Side Hall Chair, circa 1900

Unavailable

H 33.86 in W 16.54 in D 18.12 in

Antique Rare Victorian Gilt Cane Inlaid Bedroom Side Hall Chair, circa 1900

Located in Wisbech, Walton Wisbech

Antique rare late Victorian gilt cane inlaid bedroom side hall chair.

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Chairs

Materials

Cane

Early Victorian Cane Back Library Chair

Unavailable

H 37.8 in W 22.45 in D 23.63 in

Early Victorian Cane Back Library Chair

Located in Cambridgeshire, GB

Early Victorian cane back library chair with mahogany frame, with scrolled arms and reeded turned front legs with original cane work.

Materials

Elm

Pair Fine Early Victorian Walnut & Cane Folding Travel Steamer Chairs

Unavailable

Sold

Sold

Sold

H 36 in W 17.5 in D 21 in

Vintage Thonet Chair

By August Thonet

Located in Redding, CT

Vintage Thonet chair with caned seat and exquisite heart shaped scrolled back. Seat depth is 17. Final markdown. Clearance price.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Victorian Chairs

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Set of Six, Antique Dining Chairs, Liberty of London, Walnut, Cane, Circa 1880

Sold

Sold

$3,210

H 40.56 in W 24.22 in D 20.48 in

Outstanding Quality Pair of Antique Victorian Carved Walnut Desk Chairs

Located in Suffolk, GB

Outstanding quality pair of antique Victorian carved walnut desk chairs having an outstanding quality carved walnut shape top rail, fantastic shaped burr walnut centre splat, shaped ...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Walnut

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1920s French Art Deco Square Pendant Chandelier with Frosted Art Glass

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1920s French Art Deco Square Pendant Chandelier with Frosted Art Glass

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Located in Silvolde, Gelderland

This elegant square pendant chandelier is a refined example of early French Art Deco lighting from the 1920s. Suspended from a geometric frame, the light features frosted art glass p...

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Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

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Metal, Brass

The 'Matisse' Etagere

$2,663 / item

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The 'Matisse' wrought iron side table. A hand made and patinated wrought iron etagere with whimsical Matisse style cut-out decoration. Made to order based on a 1960s original. Avail...

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2010s English Folk Art Side Tables

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Wrought Iron

LU Swing Sconce

$1,800 / item

H 15 in W 5 in D 25.25 in

LU Swing Sconce

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Located in Inglewood, CA

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Elegant Japanese Edo Period Rack

$6,000

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Located in New York, NY

This refined object dates to the first half of the 19th century, and was probably used for obi, kimono sashes, which were hung over it. The gold decorations on the black-lacquered g...

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Antique 1830s Japanese Edo Lacquer

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Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Pendant Jugendstil Silk Chandelier, Re-Edition

$5,091 / item

H 25.6 in Dm 16.54 in

Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstätte Pendant Jugendstil Silk Chandelier, Re-Edition

By Wiener Werkstätte, Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps

Located in Vienna, AT

A Josef Hoffmann design for the Staekelborg, Knips and for the Berta Zuckerkandl Mansion. Comes as well in other sizes and colors. The other images shows the lamp in a showroom of th...

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2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants

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Brass

$34,500 / set

H 72 in W 48 in D 4.5 in

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Located in Norwood, NJ

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Antique Early 1900s English Windows

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Stained Glass

Set of Six Antique Victorian Quality Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs

$4,507 / set

H 33.86 in W 17.72 in D 16.54 in

Set of Six Antique Victorian Quality Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs

Located in Suffolk, GB

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Antique 19th Century English Victorian Dining Room Chairs

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Other

Brocade-Upholstered Eastlake Parlor Chair with Casters

$875

H 39.5 in W 20.5 in D 18 in

Brocade-Upholstered Eastlake Parlor Chair with Casters

By Charles Locke Eastlake

Located in Soquel, CA

Brocade-Upholstered Eastlake Chair with Casters Hand-carved wooden chair with off-white brocade fabric. The back and seat are matching, with double piping throughout. The front two ...

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Early 20th Century American Eastlake Chairs

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Bronze

Swedish Pendant in Brass and Glass by Böhlmarks

$1,826

H 17.72 in Dm 12.6 in

Swedish Pendant in Brass and Glass by Böhlmarks

By Arvid Böhlmarks Lampfabrik

Located in Karlstad, SE

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Brass

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Victorian Cane Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of victorian cane chairs available on 1stDibs. The range of distinct victorian cane chairs — often made from wood, cane and natural fiber — can elevate any home. There are all kinds of victorian cane chairs available, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Victorian and Louis XV victorian cane chairs are consistently popular styles. Large victorian cane chairs can prove too imposing for some spaces, so the smaller victorian cane chairs available at 1stDibs — each spanning 12 inches in width — may make for a better choice. There have been many well-made victorian cane chairs over the years, but those made by August Thonet, Cavedra B. Sheldon and Liberty & Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Victorian Cane Chairs?

Prices for victorian cane chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, victorian cane chairs begin at $265 and can go as high as $7,000, while the average can fetch as much as $1,614.

Finding the Right Seating for You

With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.

Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.

The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.

Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.

With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.

Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.

No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.

Questions About Victorian Cane Chairs

What is cane on a chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Cane is made by using rattan bark, a plant with a long stem. It is woven into a mesh of split canes, which is then stretched over parts of the framework. In this case, cane is woven to make a chair seat and back, for a rustic look. On 1stDibs, find a range of cane chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
What is a cane chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Cane chairs feature a woven pattern on either the seat or the back. They're called “cane” chairs because the woven part is made of cane, which is basically the skin of a rattan vine. Once it's peeled off, it's woven into the intricate pattern for furniture.
Are cane chairs strong?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, a properly cared for cane chair is very strong. Because cane is a plant fiber, it can dry out and become brittle over time. However, with proper oiling and by keeping your chairs out of direct sunlight, you can enjoy your cane chairs for many years to come. You’ll find a wide selection of cane furniture, including chairs, on 1stDibs.
How do I identify a Victorian chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To identify a Victorian chair, focus on the frame rather than the upholstery, which might have been replaced over the years. Look under the seat and on the legs for maker's marks. If you find any, conduct online research to determine if the manufacturer was active and producing chairs similar to yours during the Victorian era, which lasted from the 1830s through the turn of the 20th century. Some chairmakers who were active at the time include Chesterfield, Charles Hindley & Sons, Heywood-Wakefield Co., Howard & Sons and Jacob and Josef Kohn. Should you be unable to locate any markings, you can examine the characteristics of your chair to determine if it reflects the Victorian style. Easily recognizable, Victorian furniture is regal, ornate and luxurious. It often features curved lines, stately proportions and highly detailed geometric and floral embellishments. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can also aid you in the identification process. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of Victorian chairs.
What is a Victorian slipper chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A Victorian slipper chair is a chair that was made to be shorter than the average chair. The height of its seat was 15 inches from the floor, compared to the standard 17 to 18 inches. Shop a collection of Victorian slipper chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
Are cane seat chairs comfortable?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
Whether cane chairs are comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. Designs vary widely, but pieces with upholstered seats may provide plusher support. On 1stDibs, find a variety of cane chairs.
When were cane back chairs popular?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
While cane back chairs have been made around the globe for thousands of years, it was in the 1970s that this style took the world by storm and became a must for many households. It’s the organic, natural look of a cane back chair that made it so desirable and that makes it a modern furniture element as well, with its tropical vibe and vacation attitude. Shop a collection of cane back chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is a Victorian lounge chair called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023
What a Victorian lounge chair is called depends on its style. A piece that is long and narrow and has a raised headrest on one end and a lower backrest on the other is a fainting couch. Upholstered chairs that have long, extended seats meant for reclining are chaise longues. Find a collection of lounge chairs on 1stDibs.
How much does it cost to cane a chair seat?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
To cane a chair, it will cost around $50 for the sheet and materials. If your chair has holes around the edges and it is an older piece, thin cane strands can be used to recane it. A professional will charge roughly $2 per hole, resulting in a chair costing approximately $350. Find cane furniture today on 1stDibs.