Wicker furniture has been documented as far back as ancient Egypt, and wicker baskets have been found in Pompeii. It has been proposed that the extensive use of wicker objects in the Iron Age had an influence on the development of the patterns used in Celtic art. In recent times, its aesthetic was influenced heavily by the Arts and Crafts movement at the turn of the 20th century.

The oldest and most prominent North American manufacturer was Heywood-Wakefield of Gardner, Massachusetts. Antique wicker products are highly sought after by collectors.