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.
Vintage Coastal Ficks Reed Desk
By Ficks Reed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring timeless coastal charm to your home with this vintage Ficks Reed desk. Crafted from natural rattan and wicker, this desk features clean lines and...
Laminate, Wood
$1,010
H 48 in W 36 in D 20 in
Ficks Reed Faux Bamboo Highboy Hollywood Regency Coastal Dresser Iconic
By Ficks Reed
Located in Rochester, NY
This piece is in stunning vintage condition. Please see other listings for additional parts of this set: lowboy/credenza and twin headboard.
Rattan, Wood
$2,595
H 28.5 in W 72 in D 36 in
Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Office Desk by Lucas Danish Style Writing Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning vintage desk that oozes mid century style, this Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Office Desk by Lucas Danish Style offers fantastic storage space and a generous desktop are...
Wood, Teak
Vintage American of Martinsville Desk
By Merton Gershun
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Vintage 3-drawer desk in bleached mahogany with a faux bamboo front. This design features an architectural-inspired linear silhouette with open-side shelving. From the sought-after a...
Mahogany
Vintage 1960's American of Martinsville Desk
By American of Martinsville
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 1960's American of Martinsville desk with structural details and original pulls. Nice corner details. Marked inside drawer. Two f...
Wood
$2,080
H 28.5 in W 51.5 in D 27 in
Vintage Danish Teak Executive Desk Writing Desk Finished Back Office Desk MCM
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage Scandinavian Modern executive desk crafted in warm teak in Denmark. This elegant Mid-Century Modern desk features a clean architectural silhouette with six spacious...
Teak
Vintage Lucite Waterfall Vanity Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Add a sleek, retro-modern touch to your space with this stunning Lucite waterfall vanity desk. Crafted from thick, high-quality clear acrylic, it features smooth, seamless curved edg...
Mirror, Acrylic, Lucite
$14,500
H 33 in W 60 in D 20 in
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
Teak Desk Vintage, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
1960s Teak desk made in Denmark. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 73 cm / width 151 cm / depth. 76 cm.
Teak
Vintage Charming Art Deco Metal Desk
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
A timeless example of Art Deco design, this desk showcases the era's iconic green and cream palette, complete with gracefully curved edges and round, polished metal drawer pulls. Wea...
Wood, Paint
Vintage French Desk Bonheur du Jour Mahogany
Located in Potters Bar, GB
This pretty Bonheur du Jour is raised upon elegant tapered legs Featuring 1 mahogany lined drawer and a leather writing surface with hand applied gilt and blind tooling Circa 1920 Th...
Mahogany
$16,500
H 59.75 in W 31.75 in D 24 in
American Southern Mahogany and Leather Plantation Desk with Reeded Legs, C. 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
American Southern Mahogany plantation desk with a molded edge hinged top, upper case with a fall front revealing a leather writing surface with a f...
Mahogany, Leather, Poplar, Pine
Vintage pine desk from the 1980s
Located in MONTESSON, FR
This vintage pine desk dates from the 1980s. It opens thanks to two drawers with leather handles. This table is in good original condition. The top has been restored.
Pine
Sold
H 29.75 in W 50.5 in D 24 in
Vintage Ficks Reed Faux Bamboo Rattan Chinese Chippendale Desk & Chair 3 Drawers
By Ficks Reed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage desk and chair by Ficks Reed (labeled). Faux bamboo & rattan, 3 drawers with brass pulls, finished on all 4 sides so this desk can float...
Faux Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Ficks Reed Pickeled Wood Bamboo Desk
By Ficks Reed
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a vintage pickeled wood five drawer bamboo desk with brass Asian inspired handles This is a wonderful condition with a piece of glass on top Made in USA
Bamboo, Hardwood