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American Victorian Aesthetic Style Wicker and Rattan High-Back Armchair

By: In the manner of Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company (unmarked)

Style: Victorian / Aesthetic Movement American fancy wicker

Origin: United States

Materials: Steam-bent rattan and reed (wicker) over a wood underframe; later upholstered cushion

Age: Design circa 1890–1905; this example plausibly early 20th century (period) but could be a later revival without further inspection

Condition: Good (age-appropriate surface wear; later cushion; no obvious major breaks visible in provided image—needs close inspection)

Value: Auction (conservative): period example $600–1,200; later 20th-c. revival $150–300

Maker's Marks / Writing: None visible; period examples may bear Heywood Brothers & Wakefield paper labels under the seat or on a stretcher.

Date: 2025-10-31 23:57:21.661745

Description:

Elaborately woven wicker armchair with a tall, sculptural back featuring upturned horn-like terminals, lattice and cross-woven panels, side scrolls, and rolled wicker arms. The seat is framed in wicker with a later loose cushion. The arched base has ball-and-stick elements and wrapped rattan supports—hallmarks of late 19th-century American fancy wicker associated with firms like Heywood Brothers & Wakefield.

Curator Questions

Curated by Jade

Assessment:

A highly decorative American fancy wicker armchair in the Victorian/Aesthetic taste. The complex scrolls, lattice back and ball-and-stick lower stretcher are consistent with high-style pieces marketed by Heywood and contemporaries around 1890–1905. Surface tone appears warm and not freshly lacquered; cushion is a later replacement. Without underside views or labels, I cannot definitively ascribe maker or confirm period manufacture. A word about fakes.. fancy wicker is widely reproduced (especially post-1970), often with machine-uniform weaving, bright new finishes, and simplified bases. Close inspection for an original paper label, oxidation to concealed reed, and age-consistent wear at stress points is advised.

Individual Images:

• none

Provenance:

None provided

Condition:

Good (age-appropriate surface wear; later cushion; no obvious major breaks visible in provided image—needs close inspection)

Identification Score: 88%

Form, construction details (rolled arms, scrollwork, lattice panels, ball-and-stick base) clearly indicate a Victorian/Aesthetic Movement American fancy wicker high-back armchair.

Authenticity Score: 55%

The design and patina suggest a period piece, but the single image lacks underside/label views and close-ups of reed wear and joints. Because Victorian wicker is frequently reproduced, I’m moderately cautious pending further inspection.

Image Memory Note

None     None

Keywords

Victorian wicker armchair, Aesthetic Movement, American fancy wicker, Heywood-Wakefield, rattan, high-back chair, ball-and-stick, United States, 1890s

Report ID:  : 4fj5d2

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