Rattan, also known as rotan, is a naturally renewable thorny vine that grows in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. It doesn’t require replanting after harvest, instead it regenerates quickly from the same root system. Rattan thrives in humid, shaded environments, often using surrounding trees for support as it climbs upwards in search of light. Once mature, the rattan is harvested by hand to preserve the surrounding ecosystem.
After harvesting, rattan is sorted by length, diameter, and quality, each with different uses. Outer thorns are removed with a sharp knife, and each strand is stripped of its remaining skin by hand.
Each piece of rattan is cleaned with water to remove any dirt and impurities before being left out to dry in the sun.
The inner core is split into thinner stems, more appropriately sized for weaving, and smoothed by lightly sanding each strip. The rattan is then softened through steaming, making it more pliable for the intricate hand-weaving process.
With their pale cream hue, the finished cane rods bring a soft and elegant appearance.