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 Hollywood Regency Tile Top Side Table, 1950s
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Organic Modern side table By John Wisner for Ficks Reed, "Far Horizons" Collection USA, 1950s Bamboo rattan frame, with white tiled top ac...
Ceramic, Bamboo, Rattan
John Wisner Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Tile Top Side Table, 1950s
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Organic Modern side table By John Wisner for Ficks Reed, "Far Horizons" Collection USA, 1950s Bamboo rattan frame, with white tiled top ac...
Ceramic, Bamboo, Rattan
John Wisner Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Tile Top Coffee Table, 1950s
By Ficks Reed, John Wisner
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Organic Modern coffee table or cocktail table By John Wisner for Ficks Reed, "Far Horizons" Collection USA, 1950s Bamboo rattan frame, wit...
Ceramic, Bamboo, Rattan
Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Side Tables
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie occasional side tables By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture, "Far East Collection" USA, Circa 1960s Carved sol...
Elm, Burl
Kindel Furniture Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Kindel Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie extension dining table By Kindel Furniture USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous burl wood and cherry parquet top, with black lacquered an...
Burl, Lacquer, Cherry
Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Burled Walnut and Parcel Painted Side Tables
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency pedestal tea tables or occasional side tables By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1960s Beautiful burled walnut tops, with cream and gold gilt painted bases...
Walnut, Burl, Paint
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Asian Modern Bamboo and Tile Side Table, 1950s
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish mid-century Asian Modern side table attributed to John Wisner for Ficks Reed, circa 1950s. The table features a dark-stained bamboo and rattan frame with contrasting natural ...
Ceramic, Bamboo
Pair of Mid-Century Tile Top Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of mid-century modern side tables feature inlay ceramic tiles. Four tile diamond shape mosaics set in a mahogany top. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Ceramic, Mahogany
Robsjohn Gibbings Style Mid Century Tile Top Side Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Robsjohn Gibbings style mid century tile top side table This table measures: 17.5 wide x 17.5 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored ...
Ceramic, Wood
Pair of Parson End Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with hand painted tiles
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Parson End Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with hand-painted tiles by Artist Maire Linna Wood frame with six hand-painted inset tiles depicting gnarled trees. This is the...
Ceramic, Walnut
Set of Three Mid-Century French Tiled Tables 'circa 1960s'
Located in London, GB
Set of three vintage French tiled coffee and end tables (circa 1960s). Subdued hues shade the ceramic tiles which sit upon simple frames and black...
Metal
Pair of Danish Midcentury Rosewood Tile Top End Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fabulous pair of rosewood end tables with rosewood frames and a decorative tiled top. These beautiful pieces are stamped, "Made in Denmar...
Rosewood
