In rec.antiques  "EGD" <emailnotworking@news.net> wrote:

>I have been doing a little research on when cane backs and seats first might
>have appeared in furniture in Europe. I have found some from the middle of
>the 17th Century. Would any have appeared earlier than that?


Not really in Europe before the 17th century (I don't think). Although,
cane stretched over parts of the framework, principally on the backs and
seats of chairs was made in India as early as the 2nd century AD and was
also known in China, however. Cane was imported into Europe by the East
India Company, and cane furniture became fashionable in England and the
Netherlands only toward the end of the 17th century. 

It's particularly associated with the high-backed chairs with ornately
carved front stretchers made at the time of the English Restoration. In
France canework was popular for less opulent furniture during the
Régence and was still used in the Louis XV period. It gradually returned
to favour in early 19th century England with the use of furniture in the
Chinese taste. Cane furniture based on English styles was introduced
into Germany, Spain, and the American colonies. Thomas Sheraton had a
soft spot for cane. In his book 'The  Cabinet Dictionary' he suggested
that cane should be used for bed ends and "any thing where lightness,
elasticity, cleanness, and durability, ought to be combined." 




-- 
Ronnie