John Wisner for Ficks Reed Mid Century Bamboo Settee Loveseat Sofa
About the Item
- Creator:Ficks Reed (Manufacturer),John Wisner (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 50.5 in (128.27 cm)Depth: 34 in (86.36 cm)Seat Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Countryside, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: 2025-04451stDibs: LU5408244220612
Ficks Reed
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Countryside, IL
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllVintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Bamboo
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Bamboo
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Upholstery, Rosewood
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Chrome
You May Also Like
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Cane, Rattan, Hardwood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Synthetic, Bamboo, Rattan, Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Cane, Rattan, Ceramic
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Cane, Rattan
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan, Laminate
