Wattling schools in Slovenia

Abstract

In the 80s and 90s of the 19^th century, the fashion of wicker furniture and other wattled products increased exceptionally in Slovenia as well the interest in training wickenworkers and their acquainting with modern styles of work. In the beginning, people went for knowledge to Vienna and other wattling schools within the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, and at home organized travelling wattling courses. Gradually, wattling schools were opened in Posočje, Radovljica and Cirkulane, and departments at schools of wood industry in Kočevje and in Ljubljana. After the miserable period during World War I, the wattling workshops gained in the 20s a fresh impetus. However, the majority died away during the economic crisis in the 30s because of lessened interest for such manual skills. Several decades of systematic educating in wattling can still be noticed today in the manufacturing of quality wattling products in many parts of Slovenia.