Rattan furniture is a type of furniture made from materials such as bamboo rattan, white rattan, red rattan and palm rattan. It is characterised by its elegant, understated colour, smooth and cool texture, excellent breathability, the ability to keep rooms warm in winter and cool in summer, and its lightweight yet resilient nature. The manufacturing process involves shaping the frame and weaving the rattan strips; the incorporation of woven rattan elements infuses the space with a natural rhythm through the play of light and shadow [1]. Rattan is soft and malleable when damp, yet becomes exceptionally strong and resilient when dry; this characteristic makes it an ideal material for woven furniture. Records of rattan mats date back to the Han Dynasty, whilst in the Tang Dynasty, the western Yunnan region began utilising palm rattan to weave utensils.
The origins of this type of furniture can be traced back to the papyrus baskets of ancient Egypt; it was introduced to Europe in the 17th century via European merchant ships. A Ming Dynasty shipwreck in China and historical records attest to the maturity of rattan furniture craftsmanship at that time. Qing Dynasty documents record that areas such as Tengchong in Yunnan had been continuously developing rattan resources since the Tang Dynasty, and prior to the Second World War, Yunnan rattan products were already being exported to Southeast Asia and Europe. With growing environmental awareness and a trend towards a return to nature, rattan furniture has become highly favoured by consumers for its rustic and refreshing qualities, emerging as a new trend in home décor. Modern rattan furniture is primarily produced in South-East Asia, as well as in Yunnan and South China; rattan from Indonesia is considered to be of the highest quality due to the tropical rainforest environment.