Dollhouses: Tonic for the Soul
I am thrilled to share with you a new journey that I’m embarking on – the launch of our new to the trade design blog, "Design Delights." As the founder of Sister Parish, I know first-hand the...
Wicker: A Love Story and Where to Shop
My husband gave me a wicker basket for Valentine's day, because he knows I love old wicker and can never seem to have enough. When people say it's not my grandmother's such and such, I can not agree. It is my grandmother's wicker that I love.
Sister's Love for Wicker:
Like Bunny Mellon’s notorious fondness for wicker (not sure who liked it first), Sister's was a natural extension of her love of gardens and all things gardening, which, of course, is a natural place for wicker baskets, chairs, and variations of fencing. Combine this with a love for folk art and historic craftsmanship and you have a fanatical collector. House and Garden editor Jaqueline Gonnet relayed a typical story of Sister's insatiable collecting:
"Not just antiques, but for everything Americana. For instance: wicker, which is not an antique, but is an American art form. I remember once up in Maine being in the backyard with her when a truck went by filled with wicker. She said 'we have to get out. Run, quick, get in the car and follow that truck because I have to find out where it came from and where it is going!"
She loved putting big tubs of bay leaves inside a vintage wicker basket (the more personality the better) and finding mosses and lichen from the woods mixed with flowers from her garden, also in wicker. Somehow wicker was incorporated in most rooms in Maine in some form or other. We have a photo of us from an old House and Garden article and there are seven pieces of wicker (all unique) in one shot.
A brief history:
Recently, the beautiful book Rattan: A World of Elegance and Charm by Lulu Lytle grabbed everyone's attention (it has many images of Truman Capote's swans luxuriating in fabulous European venues), but the history of wicker in American folk art is wonderful as well. The Northeast is known for its tightly woven, fine baskets often made from splint and using techniques passed between generations. Southern artisans, particularly from the Gullah culture of the Lowcountry, created amazing baskets using bulrushes, a tradition that has roots in African basket-making techniques. Native American tribes in the Southwest have their own distinctive wicker and coiled basket styles.
The summer house, a wicker palace:
Our house in Maine is a veritable wicker palace between the outdoor antique rough hewn wicker to the "personality chairs." Sister said every room should have an antique bird cage and weird primitive baskets. The critical element to all varieties is that the craftsmanship and uniqueness should stand out. Garden variety, lacquered wicker, and anything that screams gift shop is not in this coveted category!
Where to shop:
1st Dibs, Chairish, and Doyle Auctions are all online sources that I have had success with wicker. At Trove in Old Saybrook, CT, I found a wicker casket - not kidding. Any of your local antiques stores will often be a prize location once you get in the groove of looking. Off the beaten track in Maine is Elmer’s Barn. This spot has provided some interesting finds as has Old Beautiful Antiques in Essex, CT, and Treasures in Old Lyme (great vintage outdoor furniture!)
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