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.
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
$15,660Sale Price|40% Off
Restored 6-Strand Square Pretzel Rattan Lounge Chair, Sofa Livingroom Set
By Ficks Reed
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautifully restored Art Deco Rattan living-room set includes a matching 3-seat sectional sofa and lounge chair, and a matching stacked coffee table with two side tables. Both l...
Rattan
$960Sale Price|20% Off
High Fan Back Woven Wicker Chair by Ficks Reed
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in New York, NY
Stylish woven stick wicker and bamboo fan back chair with exaggerated high back. Asian influenced design, Mid-Century Asia Modern Papasan, Peacoc...
Bamboo, Willow
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
Mid-20th Century Coastal Bent Rattan Sofa by Ficks Reed With Houndstooth Upholst
By Ficks Reed
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Classic bent rattan meets graphic drama in this Mid-20th Century three-seat rattan sofa by Ficks Reed. Featuring an arched apron design and curved rattan arms, the frame has been pre...
Upholstery, Rattan
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Ficks Reed Bamboo Boho Chic Ottoman (sofa & lounge chairs)
By Ficks Reed
Located in Pasadena, TX
This advert is for the Ficks Reed Bamboo ottoman. The ottoman is made of reinforced bamboo. It's upholstered cushions give it extra comfort. ...
Upholstery, Bamboo
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Ficks Reed Rattan Lounge Club Chair Ottoman, John Wisner Campaign Style
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
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
Ficks Reed Club Chair Upholstered in Todd Hase High Performance
By Ficks Reed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous Ficks Reed club chair upholstered in new Todd Hase High Performance cushions with frames newly lacquered in white. This piece has an authentic Ficks Reed label. Great additi...
Textile, Reed
Ficks Reed Barrel Chairs in White Lacquer and Todd Hase Textiles, a Pair
By Ficks Reed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful Ficks Reed barrel chairs in new white lacquer and new Todd Hase textiles. Great vintage rattan lattice work all new finish and fabric.
Fabric, Rattan, Lacquer
$4,128Sale Price / set|20% Off
Ficks Reed Large Split Rattan Fan Back Club Chairs and Ottoman
By Ficks Reed
Located in Wichita, KS
Ficks Reed Fabulous pair of Split Rattan Fan Back Chairs with ottoman. Freshly lacquered in white and Upholstered in new Todd Hase Textiles. Originally made in the 1970s. These am...
Upholstery, Rattan, Paint
Ficks Reed Arm Chairs with New Todd Hase Upholstery, a Pair
By Ficks Reed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous pair of Ficks Reed arm chairs with new Todd Hase upholstery. Would make a great addition to your boho chic inspired home.
Upholstery, Wood
$2,240Sale Price|36% Off
6 Ficks Reed Rattan Black Dining Chairs
By Ficks Reed
Located in Pasadena, TX
et of 6 rattan black style dining chairs by Fick’s Reed feature a high gloss finish and floral upholstery. Structurally sound, all strapping intact, upholstery in good condition
Upholstery, Rattan
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Mid Century Bamboo Sofa
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Mid Century Bamboo Sofa This sofa measures: 72.5 wide x 34 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a seat height of 16.5 and arm height of 21.75 inches All pieces ...
Upholstery, Bamboo
$2,385Sale Price / set|40% Off
Ficks Reed Restored Vintage Complete Rattan Children's Living-Room Set
By Ficks Reed
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Here is a complete child's rattan living-room set complete with loveseat, two armchairs, and coffee table. Restored to new for you. All rattan, bamboo and wicker furniture has been p...
Rattan
John Wisner for Ficks Reed MCM Brass and Rattan Pagoda Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Mid Century Brass and Rattan Pagoda Lounge Chairs - Pair Each lounge chair measures: 27 wide x 34 deep x 33.5 high, with a seat height of 14.5 and arm hei...
Brass
Ficks Reed Loveseat in White Lacquer and New Todd Hase Upholstery
By Ficks Reed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A small and cute Ficks Reed loveseat newly Lacquered in white and reupholstered with Todd Hase fabric cushions. Add this fun Boho Chic loveseat to your favorite room.
Fabric, Rattan, Reed, Wood, Lacquer
1960s Ficks Reed Curved Back Side Chairs with New Sunberella Upholstery, a Pair
By Ficks Reed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous pair of Ficks Reed boho chic rattan side chairs with curved backs, new Sunbrella cushions, freshly lacquered in white. Great addition ...
Textile, Wood
Pipsan for Ficks Reed Wrought Iron “Sol-Air” Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson, Ficks Reed
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
$6,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 5 Ficks Reed Bamboo Chairs by John Wisner
By Ficks Reed
Located in Pasadena, TX
Ficks Reed bamboo chairs by John Wisner from the Far Horizons Collection Set of (5) vintage Campaign style dining chairs by Ficks Reed....
Bamboo
$4,796Sale Price / set|20% Off
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Far Horizons Rattan Lounge Chairs With End Tables
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
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