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.
Exceptional Restored Ficks Reed Chest in Chinese Red Lacquer, circa 1970
By Ficks Reed
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent chest is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the narrative: meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. An exquisite...
Brass
Antique French, Louis XVI Chest of Drawers Commode Buffet Bar
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique French Louis XVI style bar buffet topped with a white Carrara marble, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs. One dovetailed drawer, two doors and a practical storage ...
Carrara Marble
$4,800
H 39.5 in W 43.5 in D 20 in
Hollywood Regency Style Commode, Chest, or High Board, Louis XVI, Bronze, French
By Maison Jansen
Located in Manhasset, NY
Hollywood Regency Style Commode, Chest, or High Board, Louis XVI, Bronze, French. 19th Century Louis XVI commode fully refinished in a...
Bronze
$12,400
H 28.5 in W 39 in D 19.25 in
Dorothy Draper Viennese Collection Chest Lacquered in Ivory, circa 1963
By Dorothy Draper, Henredon
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Exquisite Dorothy Draper Viennese collection chest professionally refinished in ivory lacquer and embellished with original acanthus leaf motif back plates. Brass hardware was profes...
Brass
Italian Red Lacquer Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
A superb Italian decorative commode composing of three long drawers of broken fronted design, set on elegantly shaped legs, the red lacquer finish is of a distressed look and has exc...
Paint
$7,000 / item
H 31.5 in W 38 in D 20 in
Authentic Dorothy Draper España Chest Lacquered in Pink & Gold circa 1955
By Dorothy Draper
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This chic three drawer España bunching chest by Dorothy Draper is without a doubt the most iconic piece of 20th century Hollywood Regency furniture. Sexy. Elegant. Whimsical. As popu...
Brass
19th Century Italian Bird’s-Eye Maple Chest of Drawers Commode
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning fine quality antique, circa 1860s/1870s Italian chest of drawers commode. Hand-crafted in Italy in the third quarter of the 19th century, influenced by Napoleon III Se...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$4,980 / set
H 47 in W 27.5 in D 19.5 in
Pair of Chinese Red Lacquer Cabinets with Poetic Pairings, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set within a simple black lacquer frame, the three drawers of these early 20th century upright cabinets are brilliantly colored with rich red lacquer t...
Elm
Chinese style green lacquered chest of drawers, 1970s
Located in Lisboa, PT
Chest of drawers, sideboard in the style of China in lacquer with bronze handles. France, 1970s.
Wood
$2,200
H 33 in W 46.75 in D 20.75 in
Antique Bleached Serpentine Fronted Chest of Drawers, English C.1780
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful commode or chest of drawers. Bleached and limed tropical hardwood. Lovely shaped serpentine front Veneered drawer fronts. Some historical small patches on the drawer fro...
Wood
$27,489
H 35.83 in W 46.46 in D 23.63 in
Chest of Drawers in Rosewood Veneer with Oeben Marquetry, Louis XV Period
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional Louis XV chest of drawers called "commode sauteuse" in rosewood veneer, violet wood and stained wood, curved on three sides and topped by a Royal marble top. It opens in ...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
$8,400
H 34 in W 54.5 in D 24.5 in
A Very Unique French 18th C. Chest w/ Reed Carved Accents & Side Doors w/Storage
Located in Atlanta, GA
A wonderful French bleached-wood carved chest of drawers from the 18th century. This antique commode from France features three front drawers flanked within wide set, reed carved pan...
Wood
Red Lacquer Painted Bombay Dresser Chest of Drawers
By Maslow Freen
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Bombay painted dresser chest of drawers.
Hardwood, Lacquer
Fabulous Restored Vintage Ficks Reed Chest in Chinese Red Lacquer
By Ficks Reed
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning vintage Ficks Reed eight (8) drawer chest, circa 1970's. Hardwood case atop a lovely rattan base with beautiful detail. The size of the piece allows it to serve as a dress...
Brass