Indoor, Outdoor Chairs by Pipsan Saarinen-Swanson, 1970s, Two Arm Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Eva-Lisa (Pipsan) Saarinen Swanson (Designer),Ficks Reed (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 17.33 in (44 cm)Depth: 17.33 in (44 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Antwerp, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU931842162852
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: ANTWERPEN, Belgium
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllVintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wrought Iron
You May Also Like
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s Side Chairs
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Chrome
