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African Wood Footstools

Vintage Carved Small African Stool or Table by the Nupe of Nigeria
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Nigeria, this stool is attributed to the Nupe people of Nigeria and dates from the late 1980s / early 1990s. Hand carved from a dense, heavy wood, this stool has thick, tap...
Category

1990s Nigerian Tribal Footstools

Materials

Wood

African Senufo Round Stool
Located in Centreville, VA
These Senufo stools are hand carved from hardwood by the Senufo Tribe in the Ivory Coast. Senufo stools are known for their stocky tapered legs and concave tops and are traditional...
Category

Late 20th Century African Footstools

Materials

Wood

African Senufo Round Stool
African Senufo Round Stool
H 10.75 in Dm 8 in
African Senufo Round Stool
Located in Centreville, VA
These Senufo stools are hand carved from hardwood by the Senufo Tribe in the Ivory Coast. Senufo stools are known for their stocky tapered legs and concave tops and are traditional...
Category

Late 20th Century African Footstools

Materials

Wood

African Senufo Round Stool
African Senufo Round Stool
H 10 in Dm 10.25 in
African Senufo Round Stool
Located in Centreville, VA
These Senufo stools are hand carved from hardwood by the Senufo Tribe in the Ivory Coast. Senufo stools are known for their stocky tapered legs and concave tops and are traditional...
Category

Late 20th Century African Footstools

Materials

Wood

African Senufo Round Stool
African Senufo Round Stool
H 11.75 in Dm 7.7 in
African Senufo Round Stool
Located in Centreville, VA
These Senufo stools are hand carved from hardwood by the Senufo Tribe in the Ivory Coast. Senufo stools are known for their stocky tapered legs and concave tops and are traditional...
Category

Late 20th Century African Footstools

Materials

Wood

African Senufo Round Stool
African Senufo Round Stool
H 11.5 in Dm 8.5 in
African Senufo Stool
Located in Centreville, VA
These Senufo Stools are hand carved from hardwood by the Senufo Tribe in the Ivory Coast. Senufo stools are known for their stocky tapered legs and concave tops and are tradition...
Category

Late 20th Century African Footstools

Materials

Wood

African Senufo Stool
African Senufo Stool
H 14.1 in W 25 in D 14.3 in
Levantine Mother of Pearl Inlaid Stools, Set of Four
Located in El Monte, CA
A set of four levantine mother of pearl inlay stools with carved wooden sides and legs. Curved seat frame on four turned legs united by stretchers, with interlaced rope seat.
Category

20th Century African Footstools

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rope, Wood

African Stool , Ashanti, Ghana
Located in Clermont, FL
Stool has its roots in the Ashanti culture of Ghana. It is highly regarded as a universal symbol of power, achievement, and authority. The intricate carvings and motifs etched into...
Category

Early 20th Century Ghanaian Primitive Footstools

Materials

Wood

 African Stool , Ashanti, Ghana
 African Stool , Ashanti, Ghana
H 11 in W 16 in D 6.5 in
Vintage Egyptian African Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. A middle eastern wood and leather camel saddle wood bench designed with a wooden frame and a black button tufted leather cush...
Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Cowhide, Wood

Ancient African Wooden Stool
Located in Soho, London, GB
Ancient wooden stool with four feet dating to the 19th century. From Congo, Africa. Provenance: Galerie Démons et Merveilles, Paris; Private Collection, United Kingdom.
Category

Antique 19th Century Congolese Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Ancient African Wooden Stool
Ancient African Wooden Stool
H 8.67 in Dm 14.18 in
Vintage Egyptian Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. Traditionally used to ride camels in the desert of Africa and the Middle East, this camel saddle could be used as a foot sto...
Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Brass

Brown Leather Top, Octagonal Shaped Decorative Design Stool, Morocco, Midcentury
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Morocco from the Mid Atlas region, octagonal shaped stool with a brown leather top and vertical inlaid bone decorative details. Cedarwood trim and brass accents. Two ava...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Stools

Materials

Cedar

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African Wood Female Bust Figurative Sculpture
Located in Antwerp, BE
A very beautiful, detailed, African wood female bust figurative sculpture piece made for Western export, early 20th century, Africa. Sculpture is a rich deep brown hue, hand carved a...
Category

20th Century Congolese Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

African Wood Female Bust Figurative Sculpture
African Wood Female Bust Figurative Sculpture
H 13.78 in W 7.09 in D 7.49 in
Senufo Stool in Iroko Wood by Arno Declercq
By Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Senufo stool in Iroko wood by Arno Declercq. Stool or side table. Domensions: H 50 cm x D 30 cm / H 17.9” H x D 11.8”. Materials: burned and waxed Iroko wood, burned steel. Signe...
Category

2010s Belgian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Senufo Stool in Iroko Wood by Arno Declercq
Senufo Stool in Iroko Wood by Arno Declercq
H 19.69 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Senufo Crocodile Headdress, Africa
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Large openwork crest mounted upon a woven basketry cap. The large, square decorative panel bears a central reptilian or stylized crocodile depiction with alternating squared painted ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Primitive Mounted Objects

Materials

Wood

Senufo Crocodile Headdress, Africa
Senufo Crocodile Headdress, Africa
H 32.5 in W 25.5 in D 10 in
Decorative Hand-Carved African Sculpture of Kneeling Tribal Man Dark Wood
Located in Draper, UT
Hand-Carved African Sculpture of Kneeling Male made of Dark Wood. Hand-carved in Kenya. This carving is gorgeously detailed with a smooth sculpted face, hair tied back and ears ador...
Category

Mid-20th Century Kenyan Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Sculptural Pair of Midcentury African Wood Spoon Back Black Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A sculptural pair of Midcentury African wood spoon back black chairs with carved reeded bases. This sculptural pair of Midcentury African wood chairs embodies the essence of artistic...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chairs

Materials

Wood

Senufo stool or side table from the Ivory Coast
Located in Chicago, IL
A Senufo stool or side table made from one piece of wood from the Ivory Coast.
Category

20th Century African Stools

Materials

Wood

African Ashanti-Asante Style Wooden Stool
Located in Delft, NL
African Ashanti-Asante style wooden stool A 20th century Ashanti form wooden stool with a wide, rectangular and curved seat on a rectangular base plate in between a round central ...
Category

20th Century European Stools

Materials

Wood

African Ashanti-Asante Style Wooden Stool
African Ashanti-Asante Style Wooden Stool
H 14.18 in W 22.25 in D 12.21 in
African Wood Bed
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX
Organic wood day bed
Category

Antique 19th Century African Folk Art Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

African Wood Bed
African Wood Bed
H 19.69 in W 47.25 in D 78.75 in
Small Senufo stool
Located in Chicago, IL
Small Senufo stool made from one piece of wood
Category

20th Century African Stools

Materials

Wood

Small Senufo stool
Small Senufo stool
H 10.5 in W 19 in D 13.5 in
African Tribal Senufo Chair
Located in Sharon, CT
Authentic tribal piece with wonderful patina. Backrest constructed of two typical Senufo birds.
Category

Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Chairs

Materials

Wood

African Tribal Senufo Chair
African Tribal Senufo Chair
H 31.75 in W 28 in D 21.25 in
Primitive West African Tribal Lobi Chair, Burkina Faso, Wabi Sabi, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A highly decorative African Lobi chair, crafted in Burkina Faso during the 1940s. This type of stool / chair was for individual use and marked the social rank of its owner. Carved f...
Category

Mid-20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Chairs

Materials

Wood

Oak - Contemporary - Sculptural - Patria Pillow Chair
Located in Goshen, NY
The Patria Pillow Chair is inspired by the South of Sicily, Moroccan Bench Chairs and African Senufo Stools. Customization: Choose Between 6 or 10 legs? *Please note: There is a...
Category

2010s American Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Andrianna Shamaris Senufo Side Table or Stool From Côte d’Ivoire
By Senufo
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful antique side table or stool hand carved by the Senufo tribes from a single block of mahogany wood native to the west coast of Africa. The wood is tough, dense and very dura...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Side Tables

Materials

Wood, Reclaimed Wood

Baoulé Wooden Statues Africa Ivory Coast, Set of 2
Located in Tilburg, NL
Baoulé, Wooden statue Africa Ivory Coast The Baoulé (or Baule) are an Akan people and one of the largest groups in the ivory coast. The Baoulé are farmers who live in the eastern si...
Category

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Hardwood

Baoulé  Wooden Statues Africa Ivory Coast, Set of 2
Baoulé  Wooden Statues Africa Ivory Coast, Set of 2
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H 16 in W 8 in D 8 in
African Senufo Bed
Located in East Hampton, NY
Senufo tribal bed from the ivory coast of Africa, made of African hardwood, also a great coffee table.
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Hardwood

African Senufo Bed
African Senufo Bed
H 16.5 in W 78.5 in D 21 in
Zebra High Armchair with Kudu and Buffalo Horns
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair zebra high with structure in solid wood, upholstered inside with real white buffalo skin, upholstered outside with real zebra skin, tail included, with armrest made in r...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Zebra High Armchair with Kudu and Buffalo Horns
Zebra High Armchair with Kudu and Buffalo Horns
H 72.05 in W 38.59 in D 33.08 in

Recent Sales

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Wooden Camel Saddle Stool with Original Leather Saddle
Located in Ettalong Beach, NSW
A vintage Egyptian camel saddle footstool. The wooden frame has brass embellishments, including small camel designs on the legs, and the original independent brown leather cushion re...
Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Stools

Materials

Leather, Wood

African Sanufu Stool (ref# MAS10)
Located in San Francisco, CA
Primitive stool used by chieftain. Torpedo like legs supporting a scooped curved top surface. Very sculptural.
Category

Early 20th Century African Stools

Materials

Mahogany

African Sanufu Stool (ref# MAS10)
African Sanufu Stool (ref# MAS10)
H 21 in W 28 in D 25 in
African Senufo Stool 'mini'
Located in Centreville, VA
These Senufo stools are hand carved from hardwood by the Senufo Tribe in the Ivory Coast. Senufo stools are known for their stocky tapered legs and concave tops and are tradition...
Category

Late 20th Century Malian Footstools

Materials

Wood

African Senufo Stool 'mini'
African Senufo Stool 'mini'
H 6.5 in W 9.4 in D 7.8 in
African Senufo Stool 'Medium'
Located in Centreville, VA
These Senufo stools are hand-carved from hardwood by the Senufo Tribe in the Ivory Coast. Senufo stools are known for their stocky tapered legs and concave tops and are tradition...
Category

Late 20th Century Malian Footstools

Materials

Wood

African Senufo Stool 'Medium'
African Senufo Stool 'Medium'
H 13 in W 17.7 in D 14.5 in
African Senufo Round Stool
Located in Centreville, VA
These Senufo stools are hand carved from hardwood by the Senufo Tribe in the Ivory Coast. Senufo stools are known for their stocky tapered legs and concave tops and are tradition...
Category

Late 20th Century African Footstools

Materials

Wood

African Senufo Round Stool
African Senufo Round Stool
H 11.41 in W 11.02 in D 11.02 in
60s Egyptian Leather Camel Saddle Stool Footstool Ottoman Pouffe Middle Eastern
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
Traditionally used to ride camels in the desert in the Middle East, this camel saddle was bought by a British serviceman who was stationed in Oman during the 1950s. We bought this lo...
Category

Vintage 1950s Egyptian Bohemian Footstools

Materials

Brass

Pair, Vintage Leather Stools from Egypt with Embossed Camel, Pharaoh, Isis and P
Located in Round Top, TX
This unique pair of stool seats were purchased in Egypt around 1960 by Swedish actor and director Bror Bügler (Sweden, 1908-1975). The two loose leather seats (removable) are embosse...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Egyptian Footstools

Materials

Leather, Wood

Ashanti Prestige Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attribution Unknown: Ashanti Prestige Stool from the 19th – 20th centuries. Its form exemplifies the "classical" stool used as an icon of leadership throughout the Ghanian region: a ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Ghanaian Footstools

Materials

Wood

Ashanti Prestige Stool
Ashanti Prestige Stool
H 18.5 in W 19.5 in D 9.8 in
Upholstered 1960s Kenyan Round Ottoman
Located in London, GB
This good sized round, buttoned ottoman sits on 6 low wooden feet. The original stamp tells us it was made by McCrae's Limited, Nairobi, Kenya. We've had this foot stool reupho...
Category

Vintage 1960s Kenyan Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Linen, Wood

Early 20th Century Mini Wooden Senufo Stool
By Senufo
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th Century Mini Wooden Senufo stool was hand-carved from a single, solid block of wood, each Senufo stool retains a unique personality as a modern sculpture, seat, or table. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian Tribal Stools

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century African Senufo Stool
By Senufo
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century African Senufo stool was hand-carved from a single, solid block of wood, each Senufo stool retains a unique personality as a modern sculpture, seat, or table. The ...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Ivorian Tribal Stools

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century African Senufo Stool
Early 20th Century African Senufo Stool
H 6.5 in W 15 in D 10.5 in
Early 20th Century Wooden African Circular Senufo Stool
By Senufo
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th Century Wooden African Circular Senufo stool hand carved Senufo stool from Ivory Coast. Beautiful modern shape with traditional tapered legs. Amazingly carved from one sol...
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian Tribal Footstools

Materials

Wood

Vintage Ivory Coast Senufo Stool with Snake and Fish Motif
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Senufo stool supported by thick, sculptural legs (Ivory Coast, Africa, ca. 1950). Carved snake and fish details present with nice patina / wear consistent with age along with gouges ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Footstools

Materials

Wood

Egyptian Vintage Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. Traditionally used to ride camels in the desert of Africa and the Middle East, this camel saddle could be used as a foot sto...
Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Cowhide, Wood

Small African Stools Senoufos Dogons in Solid Wood 1960s
Located in Lyon, FR
Duo of African stools from the 1960s. Handcrafted, in solid wood carved in the mass. Very nice patina of time on these two stools (see pictures).
Category

Vintage 1980s Beninese Tribal Stools

Materials

Wood

Vintage Moroccan Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Moroccan, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. Traditionally used to ride camels in the desert of Africa and the Middle East, this camel saddle could be used as a foot sto...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Cowhide, Wood

Vintage Moroccan Camel Saddle Stool
Vintage Moroccan Camel Saddle Stool
H 15 in W 23.5 in D 12 in
African Wooden Stand with Figurative Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite wooden stand has a simple form decorated with subtle figural elements. The legs are carved into mysterious faces and a relief-carved figure lays perpendicular to the stan...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Footstools

Materials

Wood

Pair of Moorish/Islamic Open Work Footstools
Located in Somerton, GB
Highly decorative and useful pair of carved wood footstools. Beautiful detailing with shell inlay. A fabulous pair well-suited to a living room, study or library. The design is typi...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Moroccan Islamic Footstools

Materials

Wood

Pair of Moorish/Islamic Open Work Footstools
Pair of Moorish/Islamic Open Work Footstools
H 16.15 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
Pair of Hand Painted Moroccan Low Seat, Foot Stools, Ottomans
Located in Plainview, NY
Done in the Moucharabieh style (an element of traditional Arabic architecture used since the Middle Ages) using hand painted wood. The pleasing geometrical patterns and Moorish arch...
Category

Early 2000s Moroccan Moorish Footstools

Materials

Wood

Leather Top Octagonal Shaped Decorative Bone, Silver Stool, Morocco, Midcentury
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Morocco from the Mid Atlas region, a leather top with nail heads octagonally shaped stool. Decorative bone and inlaid silver details adorn the sides. Pressed burnished bra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Stools

Materials

Leather, Cedar

Low Senufo Stool, Early 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from a single, solid block of wood, each Senufo stool retains a unique personality as a modern sculpture, seat or table. The irregular strokes and diminutive nature are t...
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Low Senufo Stool, Early 20th Century
Low Senufo Stool, Early 20th Century
H 7.5 in W 16.75 in D 11.5 in
Senufo Arched Baby Bed Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
The combination of stout legs and a gracefully curved seat mark this baby bed as an exciting example of Senufo craftsmanship. In contrast to many of their stools, this baby bed featu...
Category

Early 20th Century Ivorian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Senufo Arched Baby Bed Stool, c. 1900
Senufo Arched Baby Bed Stool, c. 1900
H 12 in W 30.5 in D 11.75 in
Authentic Moroccan Camel Saddle Stool Seat
Located in Rio Vista, CA
19th century authentic camel saddle stool seat from Morocco. Features a rustic wooden frame reinforced with leather rawhide strapping. This is not a tourist reproduction but a real c...
Category

Antique 19th Century Moroccan Rustic Footstools

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Hand-Painted Foot Stools
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of hand-painted foot stools. Done in the Moucharabieh style using hand-painted wood, the pleasing geometrical patterns and Moorish arches combine with both vivid colors and ea...
Category

Early 2000s Moroccan Moorish Footstools

Materials

Wood

Pair of Hand-Painted Foot Stools
Pair of Hand-Painted Foot Stools
H 10 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
African Tribal Stool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved wood in the form of a stylized animal with heavy legs. Condition: worn overall with pleasant patina.
Category

20th Century African Tribal Footstools

Materials

Wood

African Tribal Stool
African Tribal Stool
H 8.5 in W 20 in D 8 in
Antique African Carved Four-Leg Milking Stool
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Antique African carved four-leg milking stool. African round carved small milking stool, four round legs and thick round wood seat. This small stool could be ideal for a mid-century...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Tanzanian Tribal Stools

Materials

Wood

Moroccan Leather Camel Saddle Stool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Beautifully distressed Moroccan camel saddle stool featuring a padded leather cushion. The frame is reinforced with rawhide strapping and embellished with decorative metal studs. The...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Moorish Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Metal

Moroccan Foot Stool
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This handwoven and vintage piece is stunning and textural. Aged patina adds to the appeal.
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Footstools

Materials

Wood

Moroccan Foot Stool
Moroccan Foot Stool
H 8.5 in W 19.5 in D 17.5 in
Mid 20th Century Tanzanian Hehe Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
A unique petite stool from Tanzania. This three-legged circa 1850 walnut stool is made from the very core or "heart" of the tree.
Category

Vintage 1950s Tanzanian Footstools

Materials

Walnut

Small African Stool
Located in New York, NY
A heavy wood stool from Africa with a rich patina that feels almost fossilized in places. The wood used to make this stool is extremely dense.
Category

Vintage 1940s Ivorian Folk Art Footstools

Materials

Wood

Small African Stool
Small African Stool
H 10 in Dm 9 in
Mid Century Egyptian Camel Saddle Stool
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th Century Camel Saddle Stool from Egypt, made of wood with brass etched details and brass tacking, and seat of orange faux leather and stitched decorations.
Category

Vintage 1970s Egyptian Bohemian Footstools

Materials

Brass

Camel Saddle Seat, Footstool with Hide Cushion
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Traditionally used to ride camels in the desert, this camel saddle could be used as a foot stool or just as an accent piece in any room. All handcarved wood and adorned with a hide ...
Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Islamic Stools

Materials

Leather, Wood

Camel Saddle Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Camel Saddle Side Table in original black finish with leather strapping and nail heads. The cushion has been recovered in a graphite Swedish leather on the underside and a royal blu...
Category

Vintage 1970s Moroccan Side Tables

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Leather

Camel Saddle Side Table
Camel Saddle Side Table
H 24 in W 24 in D 15 in
African Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handcarved rustic stools from Africa. Larger of the two measures 13" diameter by 12" high.
Category

Vintage 1970s African Stools

Materials

Wood

African Stools
African Stools
H 10 in Dm 12 in
Ghanaian Ashanti 'Wisdom Knot' Stool
Located in New York, NY
A carved wooden African stool having a curved seat raised on two carved intertwined wooden supports with a slim plinth base. Ghanaian lore explains that the central symbol carved int...
Category

20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Footstools

Materials

Cedar

Ghanaian Ashanti 'Wisdom Knot' Stool
Ghanaian Ashanti 'Wisdom Knot' Stool
H 14.5 in W 21 in D 11.25 in
Egyptian Revival Ibis Stool
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Egyptian Revival Stool in the form of a sacred Ibis, the vintage 'leopard' padded oval seat on stylized wings and legs inlaid with vintage celluloid and bakelite.
Category

Vintage 1930s Egyptian Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Wood, Fur

Egyptian Revival Ibis Stool
Egyptian Revival Ibis Stool
H 26 in W 25 in D 14.5 in
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African Wood Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of african wood footstools for sale on 1stDibs. African wood footstools have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. African wood footstools bearing Folk Art hallmark is very popular at 1stDibs. If space is limited, there are small african wood footstools measuring 11.25 inches across.

How Much are African Wood Footstools?

Prices for african wood footstools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, african wood footstools begin at $175 and can go as high as $7,500, while the average can fetch as much as $990.

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.

Questions About African Wood Footstools
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
    What wood is used for African wood carvings varies. Iroko, mahogany and ebony are frequently chosen materials, but artisans may choose to work with whatever wood is available in their local areas. Shop a variety of African wood art from some of the world's top galleries on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Carved African wood figurines were typically spiritual in nature and were primarily in human form. The wood figurines were carved using ebony, teak, mahogany and iron wood. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic African wood figurines from some of the world’s top sellers.