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 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
John Wisner for Ficks Reed Hollywood Regency Tile Top Side Tables, 1950s
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of mid-century Hollywood Regency Organic Modern side tables By John Wisner for Ficks Reed, "Far Horizons" Collection USA, 1950s Bamboo rattan frames, with white ti...
Ceramic, Bamboo, Rattan
John Wisner Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Pagoda Coffee Table, 1950s
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Organic Modern Pagoda form coffee table or cocktail table By John Wisner for Ficks Reed, "Far Horizons" Collection USA, 1950s Bamboo ratta...
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed
Heywood Wakefield Ashcraft Hollywood Regency Bamboo Form Coffee Table, 1950s
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency chinoiserie square coffee table By Heywood Wakefield USA, 1950s Solid ash top, with bamboo form legs and stretchers. Measu...
Ash
Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Mid-Century Modern Side Table, 1960s
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency drop leaf tea table or occasional side table By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture USA, 1960s Teak and walnut, with original Asian...
Brass
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
Vintage French Square Side Table with Ceramic Tile Top by Jacques Blin, c. 1950s
By Jacques Blin
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century French square side table with ceramic tile top by Jacques Blin (circa 1950s). Earthenware tiles in Blin's burnt clay colour are de...
Ceramic, Wood
Edward Wormley Murano Tile Occasional Table for Dunbar, c.1955
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Edward Wormley Murano Tile Occasional Table for Dunbar, circa 1955.
Brass
Mid Century Ceramic Tile Side or Coffee Table with Iron Base, 1960s
By Mado Jolain, Roger Capron
Located in München, BY
Beautiful ceramic tile side table from the 1960s. Design or manufacturer unknown. This unique ceramic tile table has black colored metal feet. The table top is a geometric combinati...
Iron
Rare Midcentury Mosaic Side Table by Genaro Alvarez
By Genaro Alvarez
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare side table handmade by striking mosaics by Genaro Alvarez made in México in solid mahogany wood. A midcentury Mexican artist Alvarez was Diego Rivera pupil and wa...
Brass
Mid Century Danish Modern side table with tile inlay by Severin Hansen. C 1960S
By Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Severin Hansen Jr.
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Danish Modern side table with tile-inlay top by Severin Hansen Jr. for Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Denmark. Circa 1960s Features a quintessential Clean Lines Mid Century Scand...
Ceramic, Wood
