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.
Rattan Wingback Settee Loveseat and Ottoman, set of 3
By Ficks Reed
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, Settee set you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful set is statement piece which is al...
Upholstery, Rattan
$8,500 / set
H 31 in W 80 in D 35.5 in
Ficks Reed Five Piece Wicker Suite Sofa, Settee, Chair with Ottoman, Side Table
Located in Highwood, IL
Ficks Reed was the premier manufacturer of Wicker, Bamboo and Rattan Furniture from 1885 to about 2011. Some of their more prominent designers were, Dorothy Draper of Holly Regency f...
Upholstery, Wicker, Glass
2 Piece Split Reed / Stick Wicker Settee and Chair Set
Located in Sheffield, MA
Stylish 1940's Stick Wicker / split reed sofa and armchair, deep-seated, angular with wide flat arms giving the sofa and chair that graceful elegant look. The rattan settee and arm c...
Rattan
$14,500 / set
H 30 in W 102 in D 46 in
Ralph Lauren Organic Modern Woven Rattan Canyon Sofa And Chairs, Set of 3
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare imposing sofa and two lounge chairs crafted from woven rattan in the organic modern coastal style by Ralph Lauren. The canyon sofa and chairs features an oversized hardwood fram...
Upholstery, Rattan
$8,950 / set
H 32 in W 120 in D 34 in
MCM 1960s Rattan Wicker Stripes Castors Sectional Sofa with Corner Table
By McGuire
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, multi color stripes upholstered, rattan and wicker two pieces sectional sofa you could hope to find. In original and u...
Upholstery, Rattan, Glass
Organic Modern Woven Rattan Wicker Lounge Chair and Settee
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A beautifully crafted lounge chair and matching settee living room suite, handwoven in natural rattan wicker over a bentwood frame. Made in the iconic manner and style of Michael Tay...
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
$8,950 / set
H 32 in W 33 in D 34 in
1970s Ficks Reed Woven Rattan Zebra Chairs and Ottomans, Set of 4
By Ficks Reed
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The beautiful rare collection is statement piece which is also extremely comfortable and packed with personality! We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, signatu...
Upholstery, Rattan
Cerused Reeded Rattan Love Seat & Lounge Chair Organic Modern
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful cerused reeded rattan lounge chair and love seat with removeable cushions. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use...
Fabric, Rattan
$4,200 / set
H 36 in W 66 in D 32 in
Ficks Reed Mid Century 3 Pieces Rattan Bamboo Sofa Chairs Set c1960s MINT
By Ficks Reed
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Ficks Reed Mid Century 3 Pieces Rattan Bamboo Sofa Chairs Set c1960s MINT Side Chair Dimensions: 32x26x36
Bamboo
$6,800 / set
H 29.5 in W 83.5 in D 38 in
Michael Taylor Style Italian Wicker Works Rattan Sofa + Ottoman
By Wicker Works
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome Italian woven rattan wicker sofa and matching demilune ottoman designed in the manner and style of Michael Taylor by Wicker Works. The pole rattan frame is covered with wove...
Fabric, Wicker, Rattan
Vintage Palecek President's Sofa & Chair 3 Piece Rattan Patio Sofa & Chair Set
By Palecek Furniture
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Palecek "President's Sofa & Chair" patio set. This set is a beautiful and unique version of the "President's" set by Palecek. This set was produced to be a direct replica o...
Fabric, Rattan
Vintage Palecek President's Sofa & Chair 3 Piece Rattan Patio Sofa & Chair Set
By Palecek Furniture
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Palecek "President's Sofa & Chair" patio set. This set is a beautiful and unique version of the "President's" set by Palecek. This set was produced to be a direct replica o...
Rattan
Set of 4 Pavilion Aventura Patio Armchairs with Pair of Ottomans and Side Tables
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of Pavilion Aventura patio chairs and tables. This is a wonderful set of patio furniture. Included in this set are 4 matching trapezoidal Aventura patio armchairs, a set of 2 matching ottomans, and a set of 2 side tables from the same Pavilion collection. The chairs are all constructed with a hardy aluminum frame and woven vinyl seats. The side tables have the same frame, and are furnished with thick glass table tops. Each of these items are in very good condition, but there are some signs of use common with used outdoor patio furniture...
Metal
Vintage Palecek President's Sofa Red Rattan White Cushions Patio Sofa
By Palecek Furniture
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Palecek "President's Sofa" patio sofa. This sofa is a beautiful and unique version of the "President's Sofa" by Palecek. This sofa was produced to be a direct replica of th...
Fabric, Rattan
Pair of Vintage Palecek President's Chairs Red Rattan White Cushion Patio Chairs
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage set of Palecek "President's Chair" patio chairs. This chair is a beautiful and unique version of the "President's Chair" by Palecek. This chair was produced to be a direct ...
Fabric, Rattan
Rare Vintage John Hutton for Donghia Block Island Woven Rattan Sofa
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A rare "Block Island" sofa by John Hutton for Donghia. This absolutely gorgeous sofa features a very unique fully woven rattan body frame. The woven pieces spread across the entire s...
Fabric, Rattan
