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.
$1,800 / set
Ficks Reed Rattan Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Ficks Reed
Located in Rochester, NY
Ficks Reed rattan large cube form lounge chair and matching ottoman in original glowing deep honey colored surface. Measures together - 58" w x 30" d x 30" h to top of back seat cush...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan, Reed, Foam, Wood
Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed, Paul Frankl
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for accurate shipping to your location,. Lounge chair and ottoman by Ficks Reed. As found condition. New Straps included. Frames are solid. Upholstere...
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed
1950's Ficks Reed Rattan Split Settee or Lounge Chairs
By Ficks Reed
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare Ficks Reed rattan split seat settee or pair of open sided one arm lounge chairs. Completely original finish and upholstery. Exceptional quality piece of furniture circa 1950's. ...
Upholstery, Rattan
Vintage Boho Ficks Reed Woven Rattan Sofa
By Ficks Reed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Indulge in the enduring charm of this vintage Boho Ficks Reed Woven Rattan Sofa, a superb example of classic tropical design. Ficks Reed is renowned for its high-quality rattan furni...
Fabric, Cane, Rattan
Vintage Ficks Reed Rattan Arm Chair & Ottoman
By Ficks Reed
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Bamboo, Cotton
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 27.5 in D 35.5 in
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
Mid Century John Wisner for Ficks Reed Rattan Lounge Chair
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid 20th Century John Wisner design for Ficks Reed Rattan and Walnut Lounge Chair. Measures 28.5" in width, 32" in depth and 30" in height. Seat height is 16", 12 " without cushion...
Synthetic, Bamboo, Rattan, Walnut
$7,500Sale Price|40% Off
H 35 in W 74.5 in D 34.5 in
Restored Stick Reed Rattan "President" Chaise Lounge
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Relax in this restored 1930 "President" stick rattan chaise lounge chair. The lounge features a spindle design with a fan back and sides and a soft and comfortable cushion top. The "...
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
Bamboo and Rattan Chair and Ottoman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage British colonial style chair and ottoman crafted with a bamboo frame and having herringbone woven rattan on the seat, arms and ottoman, ce...
Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage Coastal Ficks Reed Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Ficks Reed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Coastal lounge chair and matching ottoman. Made by the iconic Ficks Reed group. Chic design with a squared off frame and striking curved seat. Matching sofa also a...
Reed
$5,995 / set
H 31 in W 28 in D 40 in
Vintage John Wisner for Ficks Reed Pagoda Bamboo Rattan Lounge Chairs - Set of 2
By Ficks Reed
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Campaign Style John Wisner for Ficks Reed Pagoda Bamboo Rattan Lounge Chairs with Brass Finish - Set of 2 This fantastic patio chair set features a woven chair back, a bambo...
Wood
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 74.5 in D 34 in
Rare Ficks Reed Boho Chic Bamboo 3 seat Sofa (Ottoman & Lounge Chairs)
By Ficks Reed
Located in Pasadena, TX
This ad is for the Ficks Reed Bamboo sofa. The sofa seats 3 comfortably and has arms for more leisure. The arms, legs and back are reinforced by...
Upholstery, Bamboo
$4,050 / set
H 38.5 in W 25.5 in D 71 in
Betty Cobonpue Sculptural Split Reed Rattan Chaise Lounges, Pair
By Betty Cobonpue
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of sculptural organic modern split reed rattan chaise lounges By Betty Cobonpue 1980s Measures: 25.5"W x 71"D x 38.5"H. Seat height: 12". Very good origin...
Rattan, Reed
Vintage Ficks Reed Chinoiserie Bamboo Style Chaise Longue 1970s
By Ficks Reed
Located in Stamford, CT
1970s vintage Ficks Reed bamboo or rattan style wood chaise longue with a chinoiserie flair. Original yellow finish with original fabric. Cushion foam has hardened. In quite remarkab...
Faux Bamboo, Wood
Sold
H 26 in W 23 in D 68 in
Pipsan Saarinen Swanson Outdoor Patio Chaise Lounge for Ficks Reed Sol Air
By Ficks Reed, Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson
Located in Miami, FL
Eva-Lisa "Pipsan" Saarinen Swanson and her husband, J. Robert F. Swanson for Swanson and Associates, designed this fantastic chaise lounge with its fluid form, created for use outdoors. The original makers were Ficks Reed Co. and they were part of the Sol-Air collection. Recently re-powder coated and with new outdoor upholstery, webbing and glides. Measurements: 23 inches wide x 68 inches deep x 26 inches high back. Seat height 12 inches at lowest point. Eva-Lisa "Pipsan" Saarinen Swanson ( 1905 - 1979). Born in Finland to architect Eliel Saarinen and designer & sculptor Loja Saarinen. She was the sister of Eero Saarinen. In 1923 the whole family moved to the US as her father was commissioned to design the Cranbrook Academy in Michigan becoming its President until 1948. Pipsan also taught furniture, textile and glassware design at Cranbrook until 1935. In 1926 she married architect J. Robert F. Swanson and with him, founded Swanson and Associates in the mid 1940s. Please view our listing of 4 Pipsan Saarinen outdoor...
Iron
Ficks Reed Rattan Daybed Chaise Lounge, Mid-Century Modern
By Ficks Reed
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Ficks Reed Rattan daybed chaise lounge. The daybed chaise lounge is long and elegant. The rattan is a lovely mixture of natural rattan, green rattan and black corn...
Rattan
Rattan Sleigh Form Daybed by Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed
Located in Rochester, NY
Old soft yellow painted rattan daybed lounge by Ficks Reed (see picture 10 of Ficks Reed silver foil label and picture 9 of original straps) with beautifully upholstered striped ribb...