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.
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Mid Century Bamboo Settee Loveseat Sofa
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Mid Century Bamboo Settee Loveseat Sofa This loveseat measures: 50.5 wide x 34 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 16.5 and arm height of 21.75 i...
Upholstery, Bamboo
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 74.5 in D 34 in
Rare Ficks Reed Boho Chic Bamboo 3 seat Sofa (Ottoman & Lounge Chairs)
By Ficks Reed
Located in Pasadena, TX
This ad is for the Ficks Reed Bamboo sofa. The sofa seats 3 comfortably and has arms for more leisure. The arms, legs and back are reinforced by...
Upholstery, Bamboo
Vintage Coastal Stick Bamboo Loveseat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace coastal elegance with this vintage stick bamboo loveseat, a breezy blend of natural materials and laid-back sophistication. With its gently angled arms, airy spindle frame, a...
Fabric, Upholstery, Bamboo
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Mid Century Bamboo Sofa
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Mid Century Bamboo Sofa This sofa measures: 72.5 wide x 34 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a seat height of 16.5 and arm height of 21.75 inches All pieces ...
Upholstery, Bamboo
$6,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 75 in D 40 in
Rattan Campaign Style Ficks Reed Far Horizon Collection Sofa by John Wisner
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful vintage rattan Campaign style Ficks reed Far Horizon Collection sofa designed by John Wisner. We love the warm light brown bamboo color on...
Brass
$2,995
H 27 in W 47.75 in D 34.5 in
John Wisner Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Bamboo Rattan Loveseat, 1950s
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Organic Modern armless loveseat or settee By John Wisner for Ficks Reed, "Far Horizons" Collection USA, 1950s Bamboo rattan frame, with up...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Ficks Reed, Sofa, Bamboo, Rattan, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Ficks Reed
Located in High Point, NC
A moulded bamboo, rattan and blue fabric sofa produced by Ficks Reed, USA, c. 1950s. Vintage fabric in fair condition, ideally replaced. Moderate wear to rattan consistent with age ...
Fabric, Rattan
$695
H 33 in W 49 in D 29 in
Mid Century Bentwood Bamboo Style Loveseat Sofa by Heywood Wakefield c. 1950's
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in New York, NY
Voguish two section loveseat with a bentwood faux bamboo frame , and original turquoise vinyl upholstered cushions. This chic sofa is in good, original condition, the wood finish s...
Upholstery, Bentwood
$2,538
H 29 in W 49 in D 33 in
Mid-Century Modern Rattan Settee in the Style of John Wisner for Ficks Reed
By Ficks Reed
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Vintage settee/loveseat with serpentine arms, in the style of John Wisner for Ficks Reed, 1950s. Very well executed rattan and hardwood construction, with spring support, beautiful ...
Fabric, Rattan
Ficks Reed, Two Seater Sofa, Bamboo, Cane, White Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Ficks Reed
Located in Stamford, CT
Ficks Reed, American Mid-Century Modern, Two Seater Sofa or Settee, Bamboo, Cane, White Fabric, USA, 1950s A bamboo settes designed and produced by Ficks Reed in the United States c...
Fabric, Bamboo, Cane
Signed Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin USA Designed Mid Century Modern Sofa 77"
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare 77" three seater Milo Baughman designed sofa for Thayer Coggin that features the coveted channeling that starts on sides and wraps totally around the back. The muted gray strip...
Steel
French Louis XVI Fruitwood Arm Chair with New Herman Miller Fabric
Located in West Hartford, CT
Iconic, vintage Herman Miller rare out of print fabric adorns this gorgeous French Louis XVI fruitwood arm chair. The juxtaposition is nothing short of riveting and this chair will i...
Fabric, Fruitwood
Rare Set of Bamboo Rattan Parquetry Dining Chairs by McGuire Circa 1970's
By McGuire
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning, ultra rare set of McGuire bamboo dining chairs with gorgeous sculptural design on exterior, see pics. The chairs are newly upholstered in a white and Tiffany blue cotton bl...
Textile, Rattan, Wood
Antique Chippendale Carved Mahogany Three-Seat Bench With Upholstered Seat
Located in West Hartford, CT
Exquisite antique Chippendale three seat mahogany bench showcases high quality craftsmanship, featuring intricately carved back splats and graceful scrolled arms. The rich mahogany w...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Michael Amini Astro Armless Large Chaise Lounge Longue White Faux Fur Upholstery
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare Michael Amini large chaise that features double chrome base and brilliant white faux fur upholstery. This Astro Armless chaise lounge is a ...
Chrome
Louis XV Style Gilt Chaise Longues Lounge Sofa Gold Silk Upholstery
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant gilt chaise lounge with Scalamandre laurel wreath silk upholstery that is a couple of years old only. Very rich and luxurious looking. Down cushion.
Fabric, Textile, Cotton, Silk, Wood, Giltwood
