20th Century Bone Footstools
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Footstools
Horn, Muslin
Vintage 1950s American Adirondack Footstools
Sheepskin, Antler
Early 20th Century French Benches
Horn, Fur
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Vintage 1980s French Brutalist Bedroom Sets
Elm
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cedar
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Dressers
Pine
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Cabinets
Wrought Iron
Antique 1840s European Early Victorian Trunks and Luggage
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century French French Provincial Benches
Pine
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Cedar
Antique Late 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
20th Century Night Stands
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Rustic Candlesticks
Oak
Antique 1890s English Planters and Jardinieres
Brass
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sideboards
Cedar
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Iron
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Early 20th Century French Egyptian Revival Stools
Bone, Ebony, Oak
Antique Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Footstools
Bone, Ebony, Rosewood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Footstools
Brass
Early 20th Century American Rustic Footstools
Brass
Early 20th Century American Other Footstools
Wood, Leather, Horn
20th Century Footstools
Horn, Upholstery
20th Century American Country Footstools
Horn
20th Century English Modern Footstools
Antler, Leather
Late 20th Century Rustic Side Tables
Horn, Cowhide
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Horn, Cowhide
Early 20th Century American Footstools
Horn, Upholstery
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Antler
Early 20th Century Victorian Footstools
Horn, Upholstery, Velvet
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency End Tables
Tortoise Shell, Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Footstools
Horn, Sheepskin
20th Century British Animal Sculptures
Horn, Sheepskin
Early 20th Century American Footstools
Horn, Leather
Early 20th Century American Footstools
Cowhide, Horn
Early 20th Century American Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Horn, Wood
Can be sold individually.
20th Century American Footstools
Horn, Cowhide
Vintage 1950s American Footstools
Bouclé, Ivory, Upholstery
Early 20th Century American Stools
Horn, Wood
20th Century Bone Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are 20th Century Bone Footstools?
Finding the Right Footstools for You
Antique and vintage footstools might add a dose of fun to your living room, but they’re also hard workers.
Even as they’ve morphed into objects with plenty of functions over time, the footstool has a royal past. In Ancient Egypt, a footstool was used to climb onto an elevated chair or placed under someone’s feet as he or she was seated in a temple or private residence. Footstools were also in use during the Ottoman Empire. In fact, the ottoman, an upholstered seat or small bench that initially had no back or arms, was the main seating furniture in a home. Ottomans were a way to merge floor seating with cushions and mats.
Poufs, which originated in France, are also thought of as convenient seating furniture as well as occasionally serving as a side table, if needed. (Although, a pouf is typically not as firm as an ottoman.)
Over the years, footstools have taken on varying purposes. They have been used as small portable chairs, for example.
During the 18th century, a footstool might have been long with a low profile, which rendered it perfect for fireside seating. Victorian footstools were small but not unassuming, as furniture makers of the era would upholster the pieces so that they paired with the nearby sofa or wingback chairs. Footstools have even become a storage solution at home, with designers outfitting them with compartments. Today, a footstool might be used to organize quilts and blankets or other textiles, especially if you’re trying to keep things uncluttered in a small apartment.
Footstools are now available in all sorts of provocative colors, upholstery and more. No one is going to put a velvet footstool out on the curb, right? When shopping for your own footstool, try to find one that meets the height of your sofa or other seating (or is a tad lower). It should also be sturdy but not a heavy, clunky piece that’s a chore to move around.
The footstool is both decorative and functional. Not unlike a good throw pillow, interior designers have found numerous uses for this versatile, vibrant furnishing. Find yours in the growing collection of antique and vintage footstools today on 1stDibs.
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