was imported in various colours and weaves not only from Japan, but also from China, India and Madagascar. Pieces covered in matting were generally less expensive, and indeed costs must have been kept at an absolute minimum, for frequently, underneath the covering, the basic carcase of the furniture consists of old orange boxes or any piece of wood that came to hand. A relative of the producer Herbert Henry Self of Percy Street, can remember the odd-job man of his family's firm being employed to fetch empty bacon boxes for this purpose. Apparently this wood, imported from South America, was good quality timber, with smooth planes and free from knots.
Some firms incorporated the knobbly roots of the bamboo stems into their designs, generally to form feet. Occasionally handles to drawers and cupboards were made with these roots although they were more commonly carved in imitation of them. Handles were mostly of cheap metal or brass. The ends of the bamboo canes were capped with stamped metal or turned bone, ivory or wooden discs.
A fair quantity of pieces, particularly tall plant and flower stands and jardinieres, have tiled shelves or side panels. The smaller green tiles are generally unmarked but the more elaborate decorative tiles are invariably stamped WEDGEWOOD.
