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
$7,000
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
$12,400
H 28.5 in W 39 in D 19.25 in
Dorothy Draper Viennese Collection Chest Lacquered in Ivory, circa 1963
By Henredon, Dorothy Draper
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
$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 Stamford, CT
Hollywood Regency Style Commode, Chest, or High Board, Louis XVI, Bronze, French. 19th Century Louis XVI commode fully refinished in a...
Bronze
Pencil Reed Split Bamboo and Wrapped Cane Low Chest
By Ficks Reed
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
This is a beautiful low chest in split pencil reed laid diagonally. Corners are wrapped in cane. The chest has two large drawers and is finished on sale sides. Unique size would allo...
Bamboo, Cane, Reed
$97,119 / set
H 36.23 in W 51.97 in D 22.45 in
18th Century Pair of Italian Inlaid Walnut Chests of Drawers with Secretaire
Located in Brescia, IT
The Italian exquisite craftsmanship finds in these pieces one of the best expressions. Every part of these pieces of furniture, are finely handcrafted and a series of precious woods ...
Pearwood, Walnut
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Brown Lacquer Rattan Bar Cart.
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Rattan bar cart designed by John Wisner. Manufactured by Ficks Reed. Made of wood, cane and rattan. With a brown lacquer finish and a tile top of beautiful earth tones. Lattice bambo...
Ceramic, Rattan
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
$4,295 / set
H 29.5 in W 33 in D 16 in
1970s John Stuart Hickory Bachelors Chests with Chrome Pulls, Restored
By George Nelson, John Stuart Inc.
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Masterfully crafted and preserved vintage 1970s bachelors chests by John Stuart Inc.. We were lucky enough to purchase these pieces from a time capsule estate outfitted with premium...
Chrome
$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
André SORNAY (1902-2000), varnished plywood chest of drawers
By Andre Sornay
Located in Paris, FR
André Sornay (1902-2000) was a French furniture designer who transformed his family's business after taking over in 1919. Influenced by Bauhaus and De Stijl, he created modern, funct...
Brass
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
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
$8,490
H 34.5 in W 53.5 in D 24.5 in
Flemish Baroque Chest of Drawers in Rich European Oak, circa 1770
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Flemish commode or chest of drawers in oak with serpentine front and three drawers with original hardware, rich brown patina, circa mid-late 1700s. Measures: 53 1/2" long x 24 1/2" ...
Oak
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