Ficks Reed Desks

American

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.

Creator: Ficks Reed

Vintage Coastal Ficks Reed Desk

$1,750

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...

Category

Late 20th Century American Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Ficks Reed Faux Bamboo Highboy Hollywood Regency Coastal Dresser Iconic

$950

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.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Vintage 1960's American of Martinsville Desk

$1,500

H 30.5 in W 44.25 in D 26.25 in

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...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Wood

Vintage Charming Art Deco Metal Desk

$1,950

H 30 in W 60 in D 21 in

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...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage Mirrored Desk or Table by Theodore Alexander

$6,550

H 30.5 in W 48 in D 28 in

Vintage Mirrored Desk or Table by Theodore Alexander

By Theodore Alexander

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Striking vintage three drawer desk with brass hardware, crafted in hardwood in classic form, with a gold tone finish having contrived aging and featuring reverse silver leaf under gl...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Brass, Silver Leaf

Mid-Century Modern Bamboo Rattan Cane Two Drawers Brass Pulls Decorative Desk

$4,600

H 30 in W 47.5 in D 23.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Bamboo Rattan Cane Two Drawers Brass Pulls Decorative Desk

By McGuire, Ficks Reed

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern Bamboo Rattan Cane Two Drawers Brass Pulls Decorative Desk MINT.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Bamboo

American Southern Mahogany and Leather Plantation Desk with Reeded Legs, C. 1810

$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...

Category

1810s American American Colonial Antique Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Mahogany, Leather, Poplar, Pine

Teak Desk Vintage, Denmark, 1960s

$2,431Sale Price|20% Off

H 28.75 in W 59.45 in D 29.93 in

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.

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Teak

Exceptional Restored Ficks Reed Chest in Chinese Red Lacquer, circa 1970

$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...

Category

1970s American Organic Modern Vintage Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Karl Springer Embossed Leather Writing Desk, Labeled

$10,000

H 30 in W 42 in D 24.25 in

Vintage Karl Springer Embossed Leather Writing Desk, Labeled

By Karl Springer

Located in North Hollywood, CA

An exceptional vintage leather-wrapped desk designed by the legendary Karl Springer in the United States during the 1970s. Known for elevating everyday furniture into sculptural work...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Metal

Vintage Mid 20th Century Executive Desk

$5,950

H 30 in W 78.75 in D 39.5 in

Vintage Mid 20th Century Executive Desk

Located in Pittsburgh, PA

This vintage executive desk features a spacious tabletop securely attached to a metal frame. Adding practicality to its design, two compartments with drawers are integrated into the ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Metal

Vintage American of Martinsville Desk

$2,450

H 29.5 in W 46 in D 22 in

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...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Midcentury Table Desk by Harvey Probber

$7,920Sale Price|20% Off

H 29 in W 72 in D 36 in

Vintage Midcentury Table Desk by Harvey Probber

By Harvey Probber

Located in Pasadena, TX

Harvey Probber His pieces displayed the same combination of high style and popular appeal: his were no sterile creations in tubular steel; Probber's work shares more in common with Art Deco than with the machine aesthetic...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Previously Available Items

Vintage Ficks Reed Faux Bamboo Rattan Chinese Chippendale Desk & Chair 3 Drawers

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...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Rattan, Wood

Ficks Reed Pickeled Wood Bamboo Desk

Sold

H 30 in W 54 in D 24 in

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

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Ficks Reed Desks

Materials

Bamboo, Hardwood

Ficks Reed desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Ficks Reed desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original desks by Ficks Reed were created in the Hollywood Regency style in united states during the late 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Drexel, Lawson-Fenning, and Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London. Prices for Ficks Reed desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,900 and can go as high as $2,900, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,900.

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Questions About Ficks Reed Desks

What is Ficks Reed furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Ficks Reed furniture has been around for more than a century and built their reputation around high-quality furniture made of wicker, rattan, woven peel, bamboo and selected hardwoods. Most of the furniture from this noted brand features a beachy or earthy quality that has a resort feel. Shop a collection of authentic Ficks Reed furniture from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
How do I identify Ficks Reed furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
To identify Ficks Reed furniture, first look for the maker's mark. You can typically find a paper or metal tag located in a discreet spot, such as beneath a tabletop or under the seat of a chair. Examining the materials may also help you make a positive identification. Ficks Reed cane pieces tend to have a smooth, tight weave with no loose ends or irregularities. The furniture maker also typically used rattan or bamboo rather than metal frames. If you need assistance identifying a piece, seek the help of a certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer. Explore an assortment of Ficks Reed furniture on 1stDibs.