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.
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
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 Wrought Iron Cafe Chairs, Pair
Located in Esperance, NY
1960s Wrought iron cafe chairs - a pair.
Metal
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
Ficks Reed Rattan Lounge Chair & Ottoman, 1970's
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
$1,323Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.08 in W 21.26 in D 16.93 in
Art Deco Curved Back Side Chair Set, France 1930's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Art Deco Design Curved Back Side Chair set of 2. Made in France, 1930's. Oak constructed chair with silk fabric on the seat and backrest, finished with metal studs. Rare chair set wi...
Silk, Oak
$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
Guillerme & Chambron, Side Chair, Oak, Rush, France, 1960s
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and rush side chair or dining room chair designed by Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron and produced by Votre Maison, France, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. ...
Rush, Oak
$6,476 / set
H 35 in W 22.75 in D 22.25 in
1960s Mid-Century McGuire Balboa Chairs, Rattan & Upholstery
By Leonard Linden, Baker Furniture Company, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Chattanooga, TN
These six McGuire Balboa chairs, finished in the richly evocative dark tobacco, are quintessential icons of mid-century organic modern design. Crafted by John and Elinor McGuire in t...
Upholstery, Rattan
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
$325
H 35.5 in W 22 in D 22 in
Early 1800s Regency Walnut Side Chair Side Chair with Needlepoint Upholstery
Located in Savannah, GA
This lovely Regency period side chair features a shield back and serpentine front and legs. The seat and back are nicely upholstered in needlepoint with a whimsical chrysanthemum pat...
Wool, Walnut
High Fan Back Woven Wicker Chair by Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
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 Faux Bamboo Aluminum Side Chair with Patent Leather Seat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Painted faux bamboo and cane aluminum side chair with patent leather seat.
Aluminum
$4,500 / set
H 38.75 in W 22 in D 18 in
Pair of French Midcentury Louis XVI Style Carved Side Chairs with New Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French carved side chairs from the mid-20th century, designed in the Louis XVI style and newly upholstered for modern use. Each chair measures 22 inches wide by 18 inches d...
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, 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
Sold
H 26.25 in W 24 in D 28.25 in
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
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