Somewhat of an overlooked icon of American design, Ficks Reed was founded by Louis Ficks in 1885 as the National Carriage and Reed Company, a New York purveyor of wicker baby carriages. By the turn of the century, however, the company had moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and, under the auspices of Ficks Reed, began manufacturing furniture with wicker, rattan and bamboo.
Over the coming decades, Ficks Reed would benefit from an increased interest in Asian imports, as evidenced in everything from the growing popularity of chinoiserie wallpaper and Chinese porcelain to the Japanese influence in Frank Lloyd Wright’s modern architecture.
The brand was also bolstered by partnerships with several prominent architects and designers throughout the 20th century, including Paul László, Pipsan Saarinen Swanson — creator of the company's Sol-Air Group and elder sister of Eero Saarinen — John B. Wisner, Paul T. Frankl and Dorothy Draper.
Each Ficks Reed partner brought their unique sensibility to the designs — Swanson’s had skeletal frames while Draper, a largely forgotten decorator and pioneer of the Hollywood Regency style, favored more ornate detailing; László created low-slung seats — but all were rendered in the company’s signature wicker and bamboo.
Thanks in large part to the Draper relationship, Ficks Reed furniture has long been a fixture at The Greenbrier and Colony hotels, as well as other luxury properties including the Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton resorts and The Breakers in Palm Beach. In 2006, Draper protégé Carleton Varney continued his mentor’s legacy by debuting a new 20-piece collection for Ficks Reed based on her original designs.
A recent resurgence in the popularity of wicker and rattan has given way to newfound demand for Ficks Reed rattan chairs and other furniture in the secondary market, where original vintage pieces are often refinished, repainted or lacquered to further underscore the textural detail of their bamboo and rattan frames.
Find vintage Ficks Reed sofas, tables, armchairs and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Set of 6 Ficks Reed Boho Chic Bamboo Swivel Dining Chairs
By Ficks Reed
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a nice set of Ficks Reed Bamboo swivel chairs. They're in a white lacquer with cushioned pillows. They also have a matching table (included in the pictures). The set is are a...
Bamboo
Rare Folding Scissor Chairs by Ficks Reed C. 1950, Linen, Fir
By Ficks Reed
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Folding Scissor Chairs by Ficks Reed C. 1950, new beige linen upholstery, fir wood.
Fabric, Fir
Ficks Reed Rattan "Angles" Side Table
By Ficks Reed
Located in Highland, IN
This terrific Ficks Reed rattan side table is perfect for your mid-century pad or tropical Tiki room. It's well made and in very good original condition. Also available is the match...
Rattan, Formica
1960s Ficks Reed Side Chairs with New Sunbrella Cushions, a Pair
By Ficks Reed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous pair of Ficks Reed boho chic rattan side chairs with new Sunbrella cushions freshly lacquered in white. Great addition to your boho chic in...
Rattan, Reed, Lacquer
Ficks Reed Rattan Tier Table
By Ficks Reed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous Boho Chic Ficks Reed rattan tier side table lacquered in white with glass tops.
Rattan, Reed, Glass, Lacquer
Ficks Reed Rattan Tier Table
By Ficks Reed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous Boho Chic Ficks Reed rattan tier side table lacquered in white with glass tops.
Rattan, Reed, Glass, Acrylic, Lacquer
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Handsome John Wisner Ficks Reed Asian Modern Rattan Bamboo Tile Top Side Table
By Ficks Reed
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome John Wisner for Ficks Reed Asian modern tile top side table. This piece features a white tile top framed with solid mahogany with applied Chinese character and fan decoratio...
Ceramic, Rattan
Vintage Coastal Ficks Reed Desk
By Ficks Reed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring timeless coastal charm to your home with this vintage Ficks Reed desk. Crafted from natural rattan and wicker, this desk features clean lines and...
Laminate, Wood
Pair of Original Bamboo Tufted Green Rattan Lounge Chairs by Ficks Reed, 1970's
By Ficks Reed
Located in Pasadena, TX
Two vintage original bamboo lounge chairs by Ficks Reed, circa 1970's. Leather straps support the cushions and bamboo frames. Bright apple green upholstery with tufted cushions. ...
Bamboo
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Ficks Reed Rattan Lounge Club Chair Ottoman, John Wisner Campaign Style
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair Ficks Reed rattan Campaign style lounge or club chairs plus one ottoman with interesting brass cap accents by John Wisner for the Far Horiz...
Upholstery, Rattan
Vintage Ficks Reed Chinese Chippendale Rattan Arched Scalloped Wall Mirror
By Ficks Reed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage rattan arched chines chippendale Ficks Reed wall mirror. Original cream painted finish may have minor imperfections. This can be lacquered ...
Rattan, Mirror
Pipsan for Ficks Reed Wrought Iron “Sol-Air” Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Ficks Reed, Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Pipsan Saarinen Swanson for Ficks Reed Wrought Iron “Sol-Air” Lounge Patio Sling Chairs Newly Reupholstered - Pair Great modernist desig...
Wrought Iron
$4,796Sale Price / set|20% Off
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Far Horizons Rattan Lounge Chairs With End Tables
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Crafted in the mid‑1950s by John Wisner for Ficks Reed, this compelling set—a pair of bamboo lounge chairs accompanied by matching end tables—is a sublime embodiment of tropical mode...
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan, Formica
Ficks Reed Mid-Century Bamboo and Glass Coffee Table
By Ficks Reed
Located in Bellport, NY
A Ficks reed painted bamboo coffee table. Two levels with glass inserts, lattice work on second level. Restored condition, painted in an oa...
Bamboo