Malawi Chair - Natural

The iconic Malawi Chair, handwoven in natural rattan

A true design classic — sculptural, surprisingly comfortable and entirely handmade. The natural finish shows off the warm, honey tones of the rattan and sits beautifully in any interior, from relaxed boho to pared-back modern.

Handmade by skilled artisans

Malawi chairs are handwoven from rattan strips worked into intricate patterns along the sides and seat. Rather than the glue or nails common in European furniture, makers secure every strip with traditional knots, and shape the signature curved barrel back using spare parts from cars and bicycles as temporary guides. Each chair takes an artisan around 10 days to complete.

Why you'll love it

• Entirely handwoven — no glue or nails, just traditional knotwork
• A sculptural statement piece that's genuinely comfortable to sit in
• Supports skilled artisan communities in Malawi
• Naturally hard-wearing, lightweight and timeless

Each one is unique

As these are bespoke and handmade by several different groups of artisans, every chair varies very slightly. Occasionally one may have a small wobble — easily corrected with stick-on felt pads under the legs.

Dimensions: L 70 x D 45 x H 78cm — Seat height 40cm

Care: Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, which can cause dark staining on the rattan. If marks appear, dissolve a little oxalic acid (available from most hardware stores) in water and brush over the affected area to restore it.

Styling: Beautiful as a feature armchair, a characterful dining chair or styled alongside plants and natural textures for a relaxed, biophilic look.