Here's What You Need to Know About 'Solihiya', the Furniture Trend That's All Abuzz Now

We take a deep dive into this iconic sunburst rattan weave that continues to take the furniture world by storm

More popularly known in the Philippines as solihiya, this rattan weaving technique (also known as caning) has made its comeback in the international furniture scene in recent years. Whether as a backrest for chairs, as a screen, or for armoire doors and sideboards, its distinct sunburst pattern gives a refreshing tropical vibe that is timeless and easy on the eye.

The popularity of caning began in the 19th century. In an essay written by Jordan Sand, a professor of Japanese History at Georgetown University titled Tropical Furniture and Bodily Comportment in Colonial Asia, he wrote that during this period, the chair-sitting European colonists had the need for seating in their homes in the countries they colonised, where sitting on the floor (as in most Asian countries like Japan and Korea) was the norm.

Villemer (Paris area), September 2020 : Maison Gatti's workshop, rattan furniture maker. Close-up shot of the worker's hands. Outdoor rattan and wicker manufacturer since 1920, Maison Gatti supplies cafes, bars, restaurants, breweries and individuals in traditional rattan patio furniture. (Photo by: Rabany S/Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Above Villemer (Paris area), September 2020 : Maison Gatti's workshop, rattan furniture maker. Close-up shot of the worker's hands. Outdoor rattan and wicker manufacturer since 1920, Maison Gatti supplies cafes, bars, restaurants, breweries and individuals in traditional rattan patio furniture. (Photo by: Rabany S/Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Since rattan—alongside palm and bamboo—is abundant in Asia, a lot of the furniture pieces manufactured for them were crafted out of this versatile material. In 1988, journalist Julian Caldecott wrote that rattan was Asia’s most important tropical forest product, and that thousands of Southeast Asians were involved in the processing of rattan and its by-product, cane, which is used in making solihiya. Among the top producers in the region are Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and the Philippines.

The unique design of solihiya allows air through and thus, perfect for areas with tropical climate. With this, the Westerners who lived and travelled through the colonies substituted their usual heavily upholstered chairs with wooden seats that had solihiya backrests for added comfort and so they could withstand the hot and humid days.

Above The Cathedral Cabinet by Nix Alanon for South Sea Veneer

Above Accent tables from Ito Kish’s Basilisa collection

In Japan, caned chairs (and chair-sitting, for that matter) were introduced after the Meiji restoration, at a time when more Japanese families (who were used to floor-sitting) converted their traditional homes to Western-style spaces complete with chairs and tables, some even with verandas.

The demand for this kind of furniture and for raw rattan material for creating such eventually grew, leading to massive exportation from Southeast Asian countries to Europe and the United States. Rattan was brought to Europe by Portuguese and Dutch ships and, in no time, caned furniture became a hit in many parts of the world including France and the Nordic countries. To date, while one may still chance upon an antique King Louis XVI chair with solihiya backrest, traditional Chinese reclining chairs typically found in Asian colonial houses, or a krossie gobang (an Indonesian chair with a caned wood frame and pivoting arm extensions on either side to receive the sitter’s leg) from centuries or decades ago, one can also enjoy a plethora of modern solihiya pieces from furniture makers from all over the globe.

Above Pouf Solihiya Ottoman from Philux

In the Philippines, this rattan weave remains an iconic element in furniture design. “Solihiya is a signature in the Philippine rattan industry,” says Selina Selma Romualdez, one of the founders of Obra Cebuana who divulges that solihiya has been their biggest source of inspiration since they opened in 1990. “It represents deep history, craftsmanship and pays homage to treasured memoirs of the familiar old. This sunburst pattern has been the centre of attraction in almost every home here, in every era. As a focal point or accent, it is fascinating how it is a quintessential piece in any dwelling.”

An edge of solihiya is its timeless allure—its ability to seamlessly merge with the old and the new. “It blends well with contemporary furniture and interiors. Solihiya has been interpreted in many modern ways,” says Lieza Bituin, the woman behind the furniture manufacturer South Sea Veneer, explaining that its graphic pattern is even translated into wallpapers, metal lattices and print textiles on top of its usual function in furniture-making. “It’s a humble material that makes a big impact and speaks to a naturalistic, almost tropical, design sensibility,” says Jessica Kienle Maxwell, vice president and head of design and merchandising of Philux, a furniture atelier that is known for its age-old Filipino craftsmanship.

Above Matrix pendant lamp by Venzon Lighting

The weaving process in making solihiya is quite tedious—from harvesting to drying, bending, splitting, coping and scribing, grooving, weaving and binding. “Real art happens in the weaving process. Watching master-weavers in a trance state performance is like poetry in motion,” says Romualdez. “When working with solihiya specifically, the goal is to always design with intent—to ensure we create a piece that tastefully incorporates solihiya with other elements, and that highlights the natural beauty and charm of this material,” says Maxwell.

Above Stockholm sofa from Philux

Among other furniture manufacturers and designers who use solihiya in their creations are award-winning Ito Kish, whose Basilisa collection radiates a visual tension highlighting geometric forms with the intricate lattice of solihiya; and Venzon Lighting and E Murio who export their beautiful works around the world.

“Solihiya is a pride of the Philippines not only because of its aesthetic charm and its ability to add a sense of warmth to any space, but also because of what it represents. It is the embodiment of the beauty of natural materials, of the vast natural resources in the Philippines, and of the profound Filipino design talent and skilled craftsmanship—the ability to take a humble material and create finely crafted, world-class furniture designs and home accessories loved by many,” adds Maxwell.

Photo 1 of 3 The Kube stool by Obra Cebuana

Photo 2 of 3 A storage by E Murio

Photo 3 of 3 The Benjamin round lamp from Venzon Lighting

“It [solihiya] has gracefully made its way from a period piece and up to this day, evolving in each generation letting out the same glamour and warmth as every grandmother’s house. It’s been part of our heritage stories and we identify ourselves much to it, this makes it a source of our Filipino pride,” Romualdez proudly says. “Though we see solihiya as a trend these days, I still view it as timeless and classic. Solihiya will not go out of style; it is a treasure to have a piece or two in one’s home,” Bituin enthuses. Indeed, solihiya has and continues to conquer the world.

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Here's What You Need to Know About 'Solihiya', the Furniture Trend That's All Abuzz Now