Ficks Reed Bamboo Rattan Armchair by John Wisner, Brass Accents, 1950s

About the Item

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 twists and turns to comprise the scaffold of this chair. The original thatching is present and in excellent condition. Our upholsterer recovered in the cushion in a period-appropriate tropical / botanical pattern that nicely compliments the style and tones of the chair. This restored piece is a 1950s rattan armchair designed by John Wisner for Ficks Reed, part of the coveted “Far Horizons” collection. Intricately woven in wheat-colored bamboo and rattan, the chair presents a lively texture and structural lightness. Its campaign-style arms are capped in brass, and the arms’ pagoda profile lends a subtle architectural flourish that’s both exotic and refined. The original thatching remains intact and in excellent condition — a rare survival in pieces of this age. The cushion has been renewed in a period-appropriate tropical botanical pattern that harmonizes beautifully with the bamboo tone and heightens the piece’s vintage authenticity. Restoration has been thorough: from the top rail to the base, the rattan frame has been detailed and reinforced where needed; the brass caps polished; the upholstery freshened; wear limited to minor imperfections in rattan weaving, visible only on close inspection, each a little signature of its history rather than damage. This chair works beautifully indoors, in sunrooms, covered patios, or any space where texture, warmth, and curated vintage personality matter. It pairs effortlessly with soft linen throws, warm woods, leafy greenery, and decorative lighting that plays up the brass accents. Visually it captures both relaxation and style — something rare in lounge furniture. For collectors of John Wisner’s work, rattan furniture, or mid-century exotic modernism, this armchair is especially desirable: solid provenance, excellent restoration, striking detail, and the kind of stylistic narrative that turns furniture into art. Measures: 24” Wide x 28.25” Deep x 26.25” High (seat height 18.5”).

Creator:
John Wisner (Designer),Ficks Reed (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 26.25 in (66.68 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 28.25 in (71.76 cm)Seat Height: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bamboo,Brass,Fabric,Rattan,Upholstery
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1950-1959
Date of Manufacture:
1950s
Condition:
Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent vintage condition. New fabric on cushion. Detailed top to bottom. Only minor imperfections on the rattan frame and minor scuffs on brass.
Seller Location:
Chattanooga, TN
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2255326603822

Shop All Ficks Reed

Ficks Reed

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.