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.
H 27 in W 25 in D 23.5 in
Vintage Rattan & Cane Armchairs, Set of 2
Located in Denver, CO
Midcentury bent bamboo Rattan and Cane Armchairs, Set of 2 Minor flaking of the clear coat in a few places on each chair (see images) No structural damage A few small spots ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane
H 44.25 in W 22.75 in D 23 in
Boho Chic Rattan and Wicker High Back Dining Arm Chairs
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Boho Chic Rattan Dining Arm Chairs—set of six high-back rattan chairs with sculptural silhouette and patterned cushions, ideal for coastal boho dining. We sell items as acquired,...
Wicker
H 45.5 in W 27 in D 27 in
1970s High Hoop Back Rattan and Leather Straps Arm Chairs, a Pair
By Ficks Reed
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of 1970s Ficks Reed High Hoop Back Rattan and Leather Straps Arm Chairs with great patina and very good condition with strong , double l...
Leather, Wicker, Rattan
H 33.86 in W 16.74 in D 16.93 in
Pair of Mid 20th Century Cane & Rattan Chairs in Italian Riviera Style, 60s
Located in Roma, IT
We offer for sale a pair of chairs made in Italy during the mid-20th century. They are handcrafted by bending cane and rattan into sinuous shapes. Made between the 1950s and 1960s, t...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
H 33.47 in W 33.47 in D 31.5 in
Set of Two Large High Back Rattan Lounge Chairs
Located in Antwerp, BE
Nice set of two rattan lounge chairs, Bohemian Summer chairs for a relaxed weekend holiday. Both chairs are pre-owned and in original good condition.
Bamboo, Rattan
H 28.75 in W 25.2 in D 25.2 in
Rattan pair of Vintage 1960s Armchairs
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Rattan Cane pair of Vintage 1960s Armchairs Italian origin superb design and expertly wound original untouched finish good sized seats and very comfortable solid build and still all ...
Rattan
H 28.35 in W 37.01 in D 29.53 in
Pair of 1970s Woven Rattan Lounge Armchairs
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A gorgeous pair of decorative 1970s oversized Indonesian lounge armchairs featuring woven rattan wicker covering a metal frame. The large, elegantly designed structure showcases a st...
Metal
H 35 in W 35 in D 22 in
Pair of Vintage Chinese Chippendale Style Bamboo and Rattan Accent Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of Vintage Chinese Chippendale Style Bamboo and Rattan Accent Chairs This is a pair of vintage bamboo and rattan accent chairs. Crafted from sturdy bamboo and rattan poles in a ...
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
H 36.5 in W 26 in D 24 in
Pair Rattan and Padded Pattern of Brown Woven Reed Seat and Back Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Mid Century Rattan and Padded Pattern of Brown Woven Reed Seat and Back Armchairs. Measures 26 " in width, 24" in depth and 36.5 " in height. Seat height is 18.5"
Rattan, Reed, Reeded Glass
H 33.08 in W 24.41 in D 24.81 in
Pair of Vintage Bamboo and Rattan Easy Chairs, Mid Century Armchairs, c. 1970s
Located in Bristol, GB
VINTAGE ARMCHAIRS IN THE MANNER OF ANTONIO BUDJI LAYUG A matching pair of extremely decorative easy lounge chairs. Made from chunky bamboo connected by rattan and with woven rattan ...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Vintage Boho Woven Rattan Lounge Chairs - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Relax in style with this pair of vintage boho woven rattan lounge chairs. Featuring handwoven craftsmanship and a laid-back design, these chairs exude natural warmth and charm. Perfe...
Rattan
Vintage Boho Bent Rattan Lounge Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant pair of vintage lounge chairs captures the quintessence of 1970s Boho Chic and Mid-Century Modern design. Expertly handcrafted from hand-bent rattan, each chair features...
Wicker, Rattan
Vintage Brighton Pavillion Rattan Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring timeless tropical elegance into your home with this striking pair of vintage Brighton Pavilion armchairs. Expertly crafted from natural rattan and cane, these chairs showcase t...
Rattan
Vintage Stick Rattan Lounge Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional pair of vintage lounge chairs captures the quintessence of mid-century tropical luxury. Featuring a classic barrel-back silhouette, the frames are expertly construct...
Rattan, Paint, Fabric
Late 20th Century Vintage Coastal Bent Rattan Wingback Chairs - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Indulge in coastal charm with this delightful pair of Vintage Bent Rattan Wingback Chairs, exuding timeless American elegance. Crafted with intricate rattan weaving and classic wingb...
Upholstery, Rattan
Vintage Italian Bent Rattan Lounge Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional pair of vintage Italian lounge chairs masterfully captures the breezy sophistication of 1970s Hollywood Regency and Palm Beach design. Expertly handcrafted from natu...
Fabric
