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.
Ficks Reed Bamboo Rattan Armchair by John Wisner, Brass Accents, 1950s
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Inspired by the tropical lands of the the East, this bamboo armchair features stylish campaign style brass caps that punctuate the pagoda style arms. Intricately woven wheat colored bamboo...
Brass
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
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
$28,500 / set
H 30 in W 28 in D 39 in
Superb Pair of Rattan, Cane and Brass Loungers by John Wisner for Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent lounge chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, expertly custom upholstered a...
Brass
1960s Wrought Iron Cafe Chairs, Pair
Located in Esperance, NY
1960s Wrought iron cafe chairs - a pair.
Metal
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 69 in D 32 in
John Wisner Ficks Reed Far Horizons Rattan Sofa in Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Southampton, NJ
1950's John Wisner Ficks Reed Far Horizons rattan sofa with new wrapped foam inserts to the original custom cushions in vibrant Jack Lenor Larsen floral upholstery. Beautifully maint...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
$7,650Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 28 in W 68 in D 33 in
Restored Rattan Sofa & Chair Livingroom Set by John Wisner for Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored single-strand rattan living room set designed by John Wisner with Campaign-style anodized goldtone capped armrests and beautiful zen-style arched poles. The set features a t...
Rattan
$1,200 / set
H 16 in W 27 in D 26 in
Pair of 1950s John Wisner for Ficks Reed Bamboo Style Vintage Ottoman Footstools
By John Wisner
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A pair of John Wisner for Ficks Reed ottoman footstools. This is a wonderful vintage 1950s pair of footstools by Ficks Reed. These are a very classic example of the bamboo-style fram...
Brass
$9,500
H 13 in W 67 in D 19 in
Majestic Restored Pagoda Coffee Table or Bench by John Wisner for Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
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
Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Ficks Reed
By Paul Frankl, Ficks Reed
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
$2,513
H 29 in W 49 in D 33 in
Mid-Century Modern Rattan Settee in the Style of John Wisner for Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Vintage settee/loveseat with serpentine arms, in the style of John Wisner for Ficks Reed, 1950s. Very well executed rattan and hardwood construction, with spring support, beautiful ...
Fabric, Rattan
$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
Italian Midcentury Beechwood Armchair, 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th century vintage Italian armchair designed with curved armrests and splayed and tapered front legs with stretchers. This design piece is fully restored with yellow velvet uphol...
Velvet, Beech
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 as found very nice original finish. Measures together - 58" w x 30" d x 30" h to top of back seat cushion of c...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan, Reed, Foam, Wood
$720Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.75 in W 18.5 in D 23 in
Milo Baughman Curved Cane Back Dining Room Side Chair
By Milo Baughman
Located in Wayne, NJ
Milo Baughman curved cane back dining or side chair. If you are in the New Jersey, New York City Metro Area, please contact us with your delivery ...
Wood
Sold
H 39 in W 16 in D 22 in
Vintage Pipsan Saarinen Swanson Iron & Bamboo Chair, Attributed to Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed
Located in Denver, CO
1960s Attributed to Ficks Reed (original manufacturer) designed by Pipsan Saarinen Swanson Like new condition with no broken bamboo or cane Solid, wrought iron frame Sour...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 36 in W 18 in D 18 in
Pipsan Saarinen Swanson Chairs, Wrought Iron + Rattan, Organic Modern Set of 4
By Ficks Reed, Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson
Located in Decatur, GA
Set of 4 wrought iron and rattan side or dining chairs by Pipsan Saarinen Swanson for Ficks Reed, circa 1960s. Gorgeous silhouet...
Wrought Iron
Ficks Reed Lucite Side Chair with Rattan Accent
By Ficks Reed
Located in Astoria, NY
A modern style side chair, manufactured by Ficks Reed, circa 1970s, the frame comprised of clear Lucite, joined with rattan accents, seat upholstered with dotted fabric. Very good vi...
Rattan, Lucite