Wicker Manufacturer’s Labels

WEDNESDAY WICKER WISDOM–Wicker manufacturer’s labels can be an invaluable tool in determining the time frame that an antique piece of wicker furniture was made. There were paper, celluloid, and metal labels, but sadly not too many of the paper labels still exist.

Not only can they tell you approximately when a piece was made, but frequently the city and state location of the manufacturing company was also on the label. So you can often tell when the piece was made judging by the location of the company.

To give you an idea of how to date by label for example, the most famous and long-standing pillar of the wicker furniture industry was the Heywood-Wakefield Company.

But did you know that the Heywood-Wakefield started out in the mid-1800s as the Wakefield Rattan Company (1855-1897) and the Heywood Brothers & Company (1868-1897)?

Then when they merged in 1897, the name changed to the Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company (1897-1921).

By 1921, the name was shortened to Heywood-Wakefield Company and remained that way until the 1940s when the wicker furniture industry became obsolete and fell out of fashion with the buying public.

So, armed with this little bit of information about manufacturer’s labels you should be able to determine the age of any Heywood-Wakefield antique wicker piece you run across!

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7 thoughts on “Wicker Manufacturer’s Labels”

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    Hello, I have an antique wicker sofa and I believe it is about 130 to 150 years old. I am looking to sell the piece and I am not sure where to begin and how to get a fair price for the piece.

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      Hi Gail,

      I don’t give appraisals or values for wicker furniture but author, wicker repair expert, and appraiser Richard Saunders does do just that. You can contact Richard through his ad on the National Furniture Repair Directory™ in the Wicker category in the State of Georgia. Be sure to let him know that I referred you to him so he knows how he’s being discovered, please.

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    I need help – have to sell a Heywood-Wakefield wicker settee for my mom and don’t know where to get information. There is a readable tag.

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      Hi Debbie,
      Do a search on my website and you will find tons of information on antique wicker furniture and especially Heywood-Wakefield pieces, both on the blog section and on the pages of my site. The Articles tab at the top of every page is also a good starting point.

      If you are looking for an appraisal (what’s it worth, when was it made?) then contact Richard Saunders through his ad in the Furniture Repair Directory™ in the Wicker Repair category for a certified wicker appraisal.

      Best wishes and good luck on the sale.

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    Hello,
    I recently purchased a pair of antique wicker chairs from an estate in Jamestown, Rhode Island.
    I think they may be Heywod Bros. And co. From 1891.
    Please advise how I can authenticatethem and perhaps get a value. They are in excellent condition. I have photos of the chair and it’s markings.
    If they are that age, I best not to sit on them!
    Thank YOU,
    Lori A.

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      Hi Lori,

      How fortunate for you that you found and purchased such nice wicker chairs! To get an appraisal all you need to do is to contact certified wicker appraiser and wicker book author, Richard Saunders in my National Furniture Repair Directory®. Click on the “Furniture Repair Pros” navigation tab at the top of any page, then go to the Wicker category under the State of Georgia. Or here’s a direct hotlink to his ad in the National Furniture Repair DirectoryJ. Please tell Richard that I referred you to him so he knows where his advertising is working!

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