We were excited to receive this set of 6 as they are the nicest set of caned ladderback we have ever seen! What makes these chairs special is they still have the original caning. The original caning still has factory coated finish intact. Normally, when you find caned Tell City items the caning is down to the fibre as the coating wears off when people sit in the chairs. This set of 6 was purchased for a rarely used formal dining room area. It is more common to find chairs that completely need recaned. The condition of the caning effects the value of the chair. It is expensive to have chairs recaned. We advise seeing samples of recaning before you hire someone to recane chairs. Some modern day craftsman have the skill and know how to pull the fibre firm and tight. Others do not. You can avoid disappointment by looking over their finished products before hiring them to redo your cherished family heirlooms.