Seat Weaving. L. Day Perry
mesh. The individual may vary the dimensions given to suit himself. The Jacobean or early caning was invariably of coarse mesh.
FIG. 7. WINGBACK CHAIR.
Carriage and superfine cane require ⅛ in. holes and ⅜ in. spaces; fine-fine cane requires ³⁄16 in. holes and ½ in. spaces; fine cane requires ³⁄16 in. holes and ⅝ in. spaces; medium,¼ in. holes and ¾ in. spaces. Fine-fine and fine cane are the best sizes for shop use. A small amount of medium binder is desirable.
One hank of cane will ordinarily be sufficient for a half-dozen areas of approximately 12 in. by 12 in.
Most old pieces of period furniture utilizing cane employ a particularly narrow split horizontally and vertically, and a wider split diagonally. The opposite practice may be employed—a finer split of cane being used diagonally than horizontally and vertically. Both effects are pleasing.
In all illustrations of rectangular areas shown herein, corner holes are bored and utilized in the cane weaving. These are not absolutely necessary; in fact caned areas on many pieces of period and modern furniture do not utilize corner holes. In such instances two diagonal strands are run in each hole on either side of the corner. A comparison of the areas, the one employing a corner hole, and the other not, will lead the observer to conclude that the former appears complete while the latter appears unfinished.
FIG. 8. SKETCH OF STRIP TO COVER CANE ENDS.
It is frequently necessary or desirable to cover up the cane on the back or inside of an article. This is true of places exposed to view, and is especially advisable on such pieces of furniture as the wingback chair shown in Fig. 7. This chair of William and Mary design was made in a school shop, is hand caned, and of mahogany. The exposed cane is covered with strips of mahogany ¼ in. thick and 1 in. wide in which a groove ⅛ in. deep and ⅜ in. wide has been run. This groove may be made with saw, chisel, or combination plane. Fig. 8 shows a sketch of such a strip. It makes a neat, pleasing cover. Many pieces of so-called expensive furniture have ragged, exposed caning. This is unsightly and is not to be commended.
Wherever it is found desirable to leave cane natural, it is necessary that the frame be stained before caning is begun. Box fuming will not permanently color cane. Oil stains make no appreciable impression if rubbed off at once. But water, acid, and alcohol stains produce decided colors. If the worker desires to color the cane approximately the same shade as the article, the caning may be done on the white wood and the entire article stained at the one operation. Cane may be shellacked or varnished or left natural, as desired.
Irregular Areas.—Fig. 9 shows a close view of the back of the chair illustrated in Fig. 7. This is a typical example of an irregular-shaped area for caning. The principles of weaving remain the same in areas of any shape, yet each requires slightly different treatment. Each has its individual problem. It is necessary to skip some holes altogether. This is never done in rectangular shapes. A close inspection of the photograph will reveal many skipped holes. This is necessary to keep parallel strands equidistant, and diagonals straight.
FIG. 9. BACK OF CHAIR SHOWING ODDLY SHAPED AREAS.
FIG. 10. METHOD OF LOCATING HOLES ON WING OF CHAIR.
To clearly understand how the holes are located on a wing of this chair refer to Fig. 10. The left upright and lower rails are at right angles to each other. The upper rail is curved and the right upright slanted. Measurements are begun at the lower left hand corner and proper distances spaced on the left upright. With the arm of a try-square against this upright, points are marked on the opposite upright in line with those on the former. This operation is repeated on the lower rail and the upper curved one. Strands of cane will then obviously run parallel. Inasmuch as there are five holes in the base and eight in the top it is necessary that three vertical strands be run into the slanting upright in any holes which will permit the strands to run parallel to each other. The photograph of the caned wing, shown in Fig. 11, should make very clear the foregoing explanation. Experience with several unusual shapes is necessary before the weaver feels confident of readily caning any area of odd shape.
FIG. 11. CLOSE VIEW OF WING.
In weaving the diagonals it is frequently necessary to run several in one hole in order to keep the canes as straight as possible. Just when this should be done can only be determined by the worker. A diagonal should never be permitted to swing to any great degree out of a straight line. A close observation of the photograph of the wing will reveal many diagonal canes in one hole, and several holes skipped entirely.
FIG. 12. CANING OF FIVE STEPS.
Five-Step Caning.—Cane weaving of five steps is not common. It may be done in many cases where it will not be subject to hard wear. It is neat in appearance and is much simpler than seven-step caning. The presumption should not be made that this weave will in any way supplant the regular weave, but in instances where decoration is the object, and not service particularly, this weave will prove sufficient and effective.
Fig. 12 illustrates a frame caned with the five steps. The distance between holes was purposely made greater than usual, to show the weave clearly. The first strands are strung in, in the same manner as described in the seven steps. The second series of strands are interwoven with the first. The over and under weave is used. Each alternate row of each series is either over or under. The first diagonal strands run over the preceding two series. They are not woven as in seven-step caning. The second diagonal strands run over the first diagonals and under the intersection of the other strands, including every alternate first diagonal. This resolves itself into simple over and under weaving. Note that but one strand of a diagonal enters a corner hole. This is not true of seven-step caning, as elsewhere indicated. It is advisable to utilize a wider cane in the first two steps, than is used in the subsequent ones.
FIG. 13. DAVENPORT WITH CANED PANELS.
The Design Element.—Caning is not a fad. Cane was commonly used in Carolean furniture in England about 1660, and has continued in use for seating purposes thru the various subsequent periods. The application of cane as used today on French furniture, as in panels, is historically wrong. However there can be no valid objection to its use in panels if no attempt is made to name it a true period style. Also it must be conceded that period furniture was not always well designed, and there can be no well sustained objection to the use of cane in panels, provided it is in keeping structurally and decoratively with the particular piece of furniture.
The introduction of cane at first was undoubtedly brought about by a desire for something light, substantial and serviceable, and it blended well with the oak of the period. Cane is much used on modern furniture, and without doubt it adds to the beauty