A Lasting Touch LLC  

Hand lace cane became popular when Europe and America opened trade with the Far East in the 1500-1600's. It is very common on 19th century Victorian era chairs. Cane is actually very thin strands cut from the bark of the rattan plant which grows to 40 feet in length. Individual strands are hand woven in multiple layers and directions through small holes drilled in the frame. The result is an open mesh appearance. About seven different widths of cane have been used for hand caning. The width of cane is determined by the distances between the holes in the frame. Hand caning typically last 20 to 30 years with normal use. Cost is determined by the total number of holes drilled in the frame to be woven. It usually ranges from $145 to $295 per seat and double that if both seat and back are rewoven. The current price is $4 per hole that is drilled in the frame. If the seat or the back has to be removed in order to cane the piece, the charge is $5 per hole due the extra work involved.

This type of caning looks the same as a hand lace cane, but is machine woven and installed as a sheet.  The sheet of press cane is hand formed and glued into a groove in the frame. Pressed cane became available in the early 1900's as a less costly way to produce the look of hand lace cane. Press cane is difficult to remove as the "spline" that hold the cane in place is glued into the channel on the frame. Like hand lace caned pieces, pressed cane typically last 20 to 30 years with normal use. Cost is determined by the inch of material used. It usually ranges from $95 to $245 per seat and double that if the chair back is also caned.  The current price is $1 per square inch. 

Splint refers to long flat strips, usually from the inner bark or the woody part of the rattan plant, which is called reed. Widths range from 1/16th inch all the way up to 1 inch. Dampened, pliable strips are wrapped over typically round dowels of a chair seat or back while being woven into a herringbone or basket weave pattern on both the top and bottom surfaces. Splint reed weaving was found on simple country chairs throughout American history. Appalachian chair makers still produce these seats today. Both splint flat reed and porch cane has a life span typically of 20 to 30 years. Cost is determined by the inch of material used. It usually ranges from $95 to $245 per seat for flat reed cane. The cost would be double that if both back and seat are rewoven. The current price for flat reed is $1 per square inch.

Porch cane weaving is similar to flat reed weaving except it is woven using the thin long outer bark strands from the rattan plant. Widths range from 1/8 inch all the way up to 1/4 of an inch. Dampened, pliable strips are wrapped over typically round dowels of a chair seat or back while being woven into a herringbone or basket weave pattern on both the top and bottom surfaces. Porch cane weaving was found on simple country chairs throughout American history. You will still see Appalachian chair makers producing these seats today. Porch cane has a life span typically of 20 to 30 years. Cost is determined by the inch of material used. It usually ranges from $225 to $495 per seat for porch cane. The cost would be double that if both back and seat are rewoven. The current price for cane is $2 per square inch. 

Shaker tape refers to long flat cloth strips, usually made of various colors of cotton that is 1 inch wide. Strips are wrapped over typically round dowels of a chair or rocker while being woven into a herringbone or basket weave pattern on both the top and bottom surfaces. Shaker tape was found on simple country chairs throughout American history. It's life span is typically 20 to 30 years. Cost is determined by the inch of material used. It usually ranges from $195 to $295 per seat and double that if both back and seat are rewoven. The current prices is $2 per square inch of material. 

Leather seat boards are leather material that are tanned naturally and can have various patterns embossed into the seat. Each piece is cut to fit the chair application and attached using large headed brass tacks which are evenly spaced around the outside edge of the seating area. Leather seats were found on simple country chairs throughout American history. The life span of a leather seat is typically 30 to 40 years. Cost is determined by the size of the seat opening. It usually ranges from $275 to $325 per seat which includes the cost of the brass tacks.