Quality of Old Wicker Hangs on the Frame

You don’t have to buy antique to have good quality wicker, but old is preferable, according to Richard Saunders, author of “Living With Wicker.”

Before you buy new, he suggests examining the sturdy, hardwood-framed old wicker pieces that were built to last. The quality of the frame determines how a piece will hold up with age and usage.

“There’s an enormous range of wicker available today in many different qualities,” he notes. Some of it--especially low-priced imports--is lightweight and flimsy and can’t be expected to last more than a few years.