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.
Majestic Restored Pagoda Coffee Table or Bench by John Wisner for Ficks Reed
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent coffee table is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing: meticulous professionally restored and completely installation ready. An exquis...
Cane, Rattan, Hardwood
Pipsan Saarinen & Robert Swanson, Bench, Steel, Pine USA, 1950s
By J. Robert F. Swanson, Ficks Reed, Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and steel bench designed by Pipsan Saarinen Swanson & J. Robert F. Swanson and produced by Ficks Reed Company, Cincinnati c. 1950s Wear consistent with age and use. Over...
Steel
$2,794 / item
H 18 in W 72 in D 15 in
Rustic Pine Beam Bench Pine and Corten Steel Base by Alabama Sawyer 6'
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
Our beam bench utilizes salvaged local pine logs for a rustic bench for indoors or outdoors. Narrow and backless, the simple lines express the natural textu...
Steel
$2,595 / set
H 20 in W 31.02 in D 18.75 in
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Hollywood Regency Tile Top Side Tables, 1950s
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of mid-century Hollywood Regency Organic Modern side tables By John Wisner for Ficks Reed, "Far Horizons" Collection USA, 1950s Bamboo rattan frames, with white ti...
Ceramic, Bamboo, Rattan
$1,004
H 19.1 in W 41.15 in D 13.39 in
Rustic French Provincial Bench, Patinated Pine & Elm, 1950s Design
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Rustic French Provincial small bench or stool Striking French design from the 1950s Patinated pine base with original patinated elm seat. This wonderful Rustic Fren...
Elm, Pine
John Wisner Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Tile Top Coffee Table, 1950s
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Organic Modern coffee table or cocktail table By John Wisner for Ficks Reed, "Far Horizons" Collection USA, 1950s Bamboo rattan frame, wit...
Ceramic, Bamboo, Rattan
$1,495 / set
H 16.25 in W 50 in D 24 in
Vintage Organic Modern Rattan Coffee Table & Side Table Style Ficks Reed, Pair
By Ficks Reed
Located in Topeka, KS
Fantastic vintage Organic Modern rattan coffee table and side table in the style of Ficks Reed. We are selling these as a pair. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. We have found no outstanding flaws. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 20th Century. NOTE: We have a matching chair & ottoman listed for sale as well if they are still available. Twice the Tropical Island Paradise!! This is a gorgeous vintage Organic Modern style coffee table...
Rattan, Glass
$2,200
H 13.5 in W 71 in D 19 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style "Long John" Walnut Bench, Coffee Table, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Long Edward Wormley for dunbar style walnut "long john" Bench. Coffee Table. Bed End. Featuring a longer rectangular slat-style Walnut surface, turned edge...
Walnut
Mid-Century Circular Bamboo Coffee Table by Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed
Located in New York, NY
Super chic bamboo coffee table by noted American maker, Ficks Reed, circa 1950's. The table features a columnar center post with rests on a disk form bamboo based base, and supports ...
Bamboo, Wood
French Art Deco Wooden Bench, 1950s
Located in Waasmunster, BE
French Art Deco Wooden Bench, 1950s
Wood
Natural Rattan Ficks Reed Square Coffee Table
By Ficks Reed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural rattan and bamboo Ficks Reed coffee table with lattice pattern. Very rare in natural rattan tones. Nice larger square size works well with today’s upholstery styles too. Add ...
Rattan
Mid Century John Wisner Tile Top Bar Cart For Ficks Reed
By John Wisner
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic 1960’s Mid Century design with Stained Rattan Frame, Tile inlaid Top with Stylish Asian Characters framed by Cinnabar framing, Lower Shelves clad in Geometric Patterned Bambo...
Ceramic, Rattan
Elegant Bench in Iridescent Velvet, Italy, 1950s
Located in Naples, IT
This elegant bench features a seat upholstered in iridescent purple velvet and slender, tapered legs made of dark wood. Perfect as an elegant footrest, an extra seat in a living room...
Velvet, Wood
$6,500
H 25.5 in W 36.5 in D 15.5 in
Brazilian Modern Bench with drawer in Hardwood & Steel, Geraldo de Barros, 1950s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Geraldo de Barros during his time at Unilabor in the 1950s, this telephone bench reflects a moment when domestic life was reshaped by new technologies and modern design r...
Metal
Vintage Pair of Palm Beach Rattan Bamboo Ficks Reed Benches
By Ficks Reed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of rattan, bamboo end of bed benches. Made by Ficks Reed. Original upholstery has been cleaned but may show minor wear. Dimensions: 18.5 H x 35 L x 16 D.
Rattan
Ficks Reed John Wisner Vintage Rattan Foot Stool Ottoman Bench Mint
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Ficks Reed John Wisner vintage rattan foot stool ottoman bench mint.
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Ficks Reed Bamboo Bench
By Ficks Reed
Located in Fulton, CA
An unusual bamboo / rattan bench by Ficks Reed. Original finish and upholstery. Very good vintage condition. Structurally very sturdy.
Bamboo, Rattan
Ficks Reed Bamboo Upholstered Bench
By Ficks Reed
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a Ficks Reed bamboo bench with animal print upholstery in great condition.
Bamboo
Original Ficks Reed John Wisner Pagoda Coffee Table or Bench, circa 1954
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in West Hartford, CT
A coveted pagoda form coffee table or bench designed by John Wisner and manufactured for Ficks Reed. This rare Ficks Reed Classic is completely original piece including the green rem...
Cane, Rattan, Hardwood
Sold
H 18 in W 46 in D 17.5 in
Pipsan Saarinen & J. Robert F. Swanson, Benches, Steel, Pine Ficks Reed 1949
By Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson, J. Robert F. Swanson, Ficks Reed
Located in High Point, NC
A pair benches designed by husband and wife duo Pipsan Saarinen Swanson & J. Robert F. Swanson. They were designed by their firm Swanson and Associates as...
Metal
Flicks Reed Pagoda Form Bamboo Coffee Table by John Wisner
By Ficks Reed
Located in Pasadena, TX
I, Ohio-based Ficks Reed Company was founded in 1885 by Louis Ficks. Initially established as the National Carriage and Reed Company, the company produced woven reed and wicker baby carriages...
Bamboo