Rattan Furniture Maker © Marilyn Anderson. Woodcut, 9 1/16″ x 11 7/8″
The worker weaves rattan, a climbing cane plant found in the tropical forests of Asia, Africa and the Americas. Using an over and under technique, he weaves a seat for a stool. Employed in a workshop, he also produces tables and elaborate chairs.
Almost all of the many species of rattan grow wild. To flourish, they need forest cover and so in many places are adversely affected by over-logging of trees as well as by over-harvesting of the rattan itself.