thumb|upright=1.35|A wicker basket filled with apples
Wicker is a method of weaving used to make products such as furniture and baskets, as well as a descriptor to classify such products. It is the oldest furniture-making method, dating as far back as . Wicker was first documented in ancient Egypt, then having been made from pliable plant material, but in modern times it is made from any pliable, easily woven material. The word wicker or "wisker" is believed to be of Scandinavian origin: , which means "to fold" in Swedish. Wicker is traditionally made of plant-based material, such as willow, rattan, reed, and bamboo, though the term also applies to products woven from synthetic fibers. Wicker is light yet sturdy, making it suitable for items that will be moved often like porch and patio furniture. Rushwork and wickerwork are terms used in England. A typical braiding pattern is called Wiener Geflecht, Viennese braiding, as it was invented in 18th century Vienna and later most prominently used with the Thonet coffeehouse chair.
History
thumb|left|Wicker basket, Egypt, New Kingdom, c. 1492–1473 BC
Wicker has been documented as far back as ancient Egypt, made from indigenous "reed and swamp grasses." Middle-class families could only afford a few pieces, such as small tables. However, archaeologists working on the tombs of the wealthy pharaohs have uncovered a wider variety of wicker items, including "chests, baskets, wig boxes, and chairs".
The popularity of wicker passed from ancient Egypt and Persia to ancient Rome. Wicker baskets were used to carry items in Pompeii. Furniture was manufactured out of wicker in the Roman style. resisted harsh weather and was adaptable to many styles. that had invented a mechanical process for weaving wicker seats
In recent times, its aesthetic was influenced heavily by the Arts and Crafts movement at the turn of the 20th century.
Wicker is still a popular material. Antique wicker products are highly sought after by collectors. Reproductions of furniture and accent pieces are also sold for indoor and outdoor use.
Laundry baskets have been and are popular in Europe.
Manufacture
thumb|left|Handmaking a traditional [[skep|wicker beehive with straw]]
thumb|Wicker basket maker at work behind a basket, Dhading, Nepal
Natural wicker is well known for its strength and durability, as well as the high level of beauty and comfort that an expert craftsman can create. Materials used can be any part of a plant, such as the cores of cane or rattan stalks, or whole thicknesses of plants, as with willow switches. Other popular materials include reed and bamboo. Natural wicker requires maintenance to keep it in good shape.
thumb|upright|Natural wicker weave
thumb|upright|Resin wicker weave
Wicker can also be made from synthetic materials, or a combination. In furniture, such as benches, chairs, stools and other seating devices, a frame is typically made of stiffer materials, after which more pliant material is woven into the frame to fill it. In a smaller piece such as a basket, a strengthening frame is not needed so the entire piece is woven from the wicker material.
Synthetic types include paper-wrapped high tensile wire (using the Lloyd Loom process patented in the early 20th century), and plastic or resin. The synthetic wickers are often preferred for outdoor use ("all-weather wicker"). The frame material used in these more recent versions includes aluminum.
Etymology
The word wicker is from the Middle English wiker, meaning 'willow, of Scandinavian origin.