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East Asian Wood Footstools

Antique Chinese Mini Elm Wood Stool, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Antique Mini stool features a beautiful age related patina and lacquered finish. Crafted entirely from wooden joints, It remains sturdy and robust, a fantastic piece to use as a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Antique Chinese Mini Low Elm Wood Stool, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This antique mini stool features a beautiful age related patina and lacquered finish. It was crafted entirely using wooden joints and remains sturdy and robust a fantastic piece to u...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Sori Yanagi Rosewood and Brass Butterfly Stool Vintage
By Sori Yanagi
Located in North Miami, FL
This iconic and collectable butterfly stool is a work of simple and elegant sculpture by the Japanese designer Sori Yanagi. It is rosewood and brass structure. The combination aesthe...
Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Brass

Small 1900s Low Square End Table with Rattan Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period footstool from the early 20th century with rattan top, carved apron and side stretchers. Discover the perfect blend of function and art in this ear...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Footstools

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Woven Rattan Ottoman, circa 1980s
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Century woven rattan ottoman or taboret table, Hong Kong, circa 1980s. Mahogany secondary wood. 18.5" sq. x 9.25" h.
Category

Vintage 1980s Hong Kong Footstools

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Woven Rattan Ottoman, circa 1980s
Woven Rattan Ottoman, circa 1980s
H 9.25 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
"Heron" Rocking Chair and Footrest for Tendo Mokko Japan
By Tendo Mokko
Located in North Hollywood, CA
"Heron" rocking chair and footrest designed by Mitsumasa Sugasawa for Tendo Mokko Japan in laminated bentwood oak with army greenish soft vinyl upholstery. Footrest measures 22.5 wid...
Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs

Materials

Oak

Chinese Vintage Low Kang Table with Distressed Patina and Carved Feet
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage low Kang table from the mid 20th century, with multi color lacquer. Created in China during the midcentury period, this low Kang table features a long and narrow re...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Footstools

Materials

Wood

Japanese Taishō Period Negora Lacquer Arm Stool with Cinnabar Color
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Taisho period negora lacquer arm stool from the early 20th century, with cinnabar color. Created to be used on an opium bed, this Japanese Taisho period stool features a s...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Footstools

Materials

Wood

Chinese Low Daybed Step, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This low 19th-century table is actually a step used for easily getting in and out of a raised daybed. Crafted of northern elmwood (yumu), the step features a plank top surface, carve...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Low Daybed Step, c. 1900
Chinese Low Daybed Step, c. 1900
H 11.5 in W 36 in D 8 in
Primitive Japanese Wooden Stools with Brown Patina, 1920's
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Primitive stools of Japanese wood circa 1920s with rich brown patina.
Category

Vintage 1910s Japanese Primitive Stools

Materials

Wood

19th Century, Chinese Provincial Fan Shaped Stool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chinese carved wooden stool with a fan shaped seat. Features splayed legs with stretchers on each side and a carved apron on the front. Constructed with old world mortise and tenon j...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Footstools

Materials

Wood

People Also Browsed

Lennox Stool, Small Wood Stool by Christian Siriano
By Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order wood stool designed by Christian Siriano. Red oak Measure: Seat width: 12”.  
Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

Sori Yanagi BUTTERFLY Stool
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Artist/Designer; Manufacturer: Sori Yanagi (Japanese, 1915-2011); Tendo (Japan) Marking(s); notes: no marking(s) apparent Materials: rosewood plywood, brass Dimensions (H, W, D): 15....
Category

20th Century Stools

Materials

Wood

Sori Yanagi BUTTERFLY Stool
Sori Yanagi BUTTERFLY Stool
H 15.25 in W 16.5 in D 11.75 in
Single Eyeball Wall Lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce
By Arredoluce, Angelo Lelii
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Eyeball Wall lamp by Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1960's. Brass. Rewired for U.S. standards. Globes adjust to various positions. We recommen...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Bespoke Italian Travertine Oval Dining Table
Located in London, London
Travertine dining table Two pedestals Oval Made to order in Italy. Size can be customised to a maximum length of 250cm. Can also be made in a circular one pedestal version.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Travertine

Bespoke Italian Travertine Oval Dining Table
Bespoke Italian Travertine Oval Dining Table
H 31.5 in W 94.49 in D 43.31 in
Sasco Semi-Flush Mount Brass Light Fixture, Custom Finishes
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
The Sasco is a versatile custom-made solid brass and glass globe light fixture, which can be mounted on the ceiling or wall. Shown here in our factory brass, an uneven unfinished br...
Category

2010s American Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

Baleri Italia Cartoons Screen in Havana Paper by Luigi Baroli
By Baleri Italia, Luigi Baroli
Located in Milan, IT
Screen with free-standing structure in corrugated paper-board extracted from pure cellulose. Completely recyclable and non-pollutive. Upper and lower edges in techno-polymer in matte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Paper

Brass and Alabaster Mobile Chandelier by Glustin Luminaires
By Glustin Creation
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Mobile kinetic chandelier made of patinated brass with a round counterweight and two enlighten alabaster globes. Original design by Glustin Luminaires.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Pair of Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' Verdigris Patinated Outdoor Sconces
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' patinated outdoor sconces. An exclusive made for U.S. and UL listed authorized re-edition of the classic Swedish design executed in rich verdigris ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights an...

Materials

Metal

Sistema Solare Chandelier, Piattelli Design, Ivory-toned Onyx and Brass, 6-shade
By Silvio Piattelli, Stilnovo, Bruno Gatta
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Unique chandelier, made from thinly-cut pieces of exquisite ivory-toned translucent onyx. Ideal to be hung over a table, with versatile configurations. Ivory onyx comes from Middle E...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...

Materials

Onyx, Brass

Contemporary Minimal Round Coffee Center Table in Travertine Stone Natural Pores
Located in Porto, PT
Lunarys Center Table is an outstanding modern design piece. A key coffee table for a contemporary living room project seems to come directly from space. Made in travertine stone is p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables

Materials

Travertine

Walnut Minimalist Handmade Platform Queen Bed Frame, Judd Style
By George Nakashima, Donald Judd, Figure Ground
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An ode to our friend Donald Judd, the bedframe design employs the tatami style of Japanese Rooms and the Hygge of Danish comfort. The reveal is celebrated in its shadow. Rest happens...
Category

2010s American Minimalist Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Plywood

JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

White Wash Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood
By Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
These WHITE WASH collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture which is meditative, sanded to a s...
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Contemporary Art

Materials

Wood

Panoplie Petite Iron Tripod Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite iron tripod lamp with slender legs and tapered feet. New wiring and new oyster linen shade. Multiple available, sold individually. Takes one E12 base bulb, up to 25 W or highe...
Category

2010s Table Lamps

Materials

Iron

1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors
Located in New York, NY
The Sofa inspires itself nature where green is the predominant element and where valleys and hills prevail. The item’s details allow it to be the perfect statement piece for any cont...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Rustic, Primitive, Wabi-Sabi, Naive Vintage Antique Stool, Table, England, c1800
Located in London Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire
A naive, most probably 19th Century rustic, primitive, Wabi-Sabi vintage antique stool, table in oak, perhaps a lace-makers lamp table. Befitting of interiors that blend pieces o...
Category

Antique 19th Century British Rustic Benches

Materials

Wood

Recent Sales

Provincial Chinese Wood Country Stool
Located in Antwerp, BE
Hand carved provincial Chinese country stool.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Footstools

Materials

Wood

Provincial Chinese Wood Country Stool
Provincial Chinese Wood Country Stool
H 7.68 in W 13 in D 3.15 in
Chinese Chippendale Rosewood Foot Stool or Bonsai Tree Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A cute Chinese Chippendale Rosewood Foot Stool or Bonsai Tree Plant Stand in good vintage condition. Measures 18" in width, 10" in depth and 6" in height.
Category

Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Chippendale Footstools

Materials

Rosewood

Takeshi Nii NY Canvas Chair and Stool, Fujiei Kogyo, Japan
By Takeshi Nii
Located in London, GB
A winner of several design awards and a permanent part of the collection of MoMA, the ‘NY’ chair is a highly esteemed example of modern design. Created in 1958 by Japanese designer T...
Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Antique Chinese Rustic Mini Elm Wood 3 Legged Stool, c.1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Antique mini stool from the early 20th century features a beautiful age related patina and still retains some of its original lacquered finish. Crafted entirely from wooden join...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Low Provincial Chinese Stool, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
The stool is a central fixture of Chinese furniture culture. Found in a variety of materials and forms, the stool transcends class lines, as much at home in the provincial courtyard ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

Low Provincial Chinese Stool, c. 1850
Low Provincial Chinese Stool, c. 1850
H 11.5 in W 13.5 in D 9 in
Mongolian Painted Display Stand
Located in Chicago, IL
Resembling a low kang table, this small table stand is simply shaped with a waisted apron and four short legs ending in hoof feet. Decorated in the style of Mongolian and Tibetan fur...
Category

Early 20th Century Mongolian Tibetan Painted Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mongolian Painted Display Stand
Mongolian Painted Display Stand
H 7 in W 15 in D 7.5 in
Antique Chinese Mini Elm Wood Stool, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This antique mini stool features a beautiful age related patina and lacquered finish. It remains sturdy and robust, a fantastic piece to use as a drink table, table stool or for disp...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Pair of Chinese Lattice Top Footrests, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the late 19th century, these rectangular footrests were used in front of a daybed or pair of chairs to elevate one's feet off of cool, damp floors. Although traditional Chin...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Footstools

Materials

Elm

Chinese Footstool
Located in Chicago, IL
This low latticed footstool was placed in front of a chair to keep one’s feet off the cold floor. It is made from Elm Wood, came from Shanxi Province, and dates to the 19th Century. ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Footstools

Materials

Elm

Chinese Footstool
Chinese Footstool
H 6.25 in W 24.75 in D 24.75 in
Chinese Rectangle Wooden Bench
Located in Sarasota, FL
This Chinese Bench is hand made from Elm Circa 1880 Does well sitting at the end of a bed from Shanxi China From an Estate on Park Avenue.
Category

Antique 1890s Chinese Chinese Export Benches

Materials

Elm

Chinese Rectangle Wooden Bench
Chinese Rectangle Wooden Bench
H 19 in W 43.5 in D 12.75 in
Provincial Chinese Carriage Step, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted at the turn of the century, this petite bench from China's Hebei province is simply designed with clean lines and little decoration. Given its short stature and narrow frame,...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Footstools

Materials

Elm

Chinese Burlwood Table Stand, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
For thousands of years, precious Chinese artworks have been elevated for display on fine wooden table stands. Recognized today as works of art in their own right, these display stand...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Footstools

Materials

Burl

Chinese Burlwood Table Stand, circa 1850
Chinese Burlwood Table Stand, circa 1850
H 6.75 in W 19 in D 10.5 in
Antique Chinese Low Stool
Located in New York, NY
A low and long antique Chinese stool with perfect proportions and great wear. Works great as a stool or a pedestal for displaying small objects. From Shanxi Province, circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Low Stool
Antique Chinese Low Stool
H 10 in W 22 in D 7 in
Low Chinese Step Bench, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to resemble the low tables placed atop a kang platform, this 19th-century low bench from Henan province is actually a step used for easily getting in and out of a raised day...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Benches

Materials

Elm

Low Chinese Step Bench, c. 1850
Low Chinese Step Bench, c. 1850
H 7.5 in W 77 in D 12.5 in
19th Century Red Lacquer Feng Deng
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted in northern China in the mid-19th century, this feng deng, or "square stool," honors classical Chinese style with simple lines and natural beauty. Much more portable than hea...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Elm

19th Century Red Lacquer Feng Deng
19th Century Red Lacquer Feng Deng
H 12.25 in W 15.5 in D 12.25 in
1950s Japanese Architect Isamu Kenmochi Stool Bentwood Akita Mokko Midcentury
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Hyattsville, MD
All original and retaining its original vinyl upholstery. A wonderful japanese bentwood stool by Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko of Japan, c.1950s. Made of stained beech, and black v...
Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Beech, Naugahyde

Contemporary Stackable Foot Stools
Located in Cookeville, TN
Offering these simplistic stackable foot stools made for Levenger. There are three in the set. The sides are of a light blended wood that have arches cut on each side that makes a br...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Footstools

Materials

Leather, Wood

Contemporary Stackable Foot Stools
Contemporary Stackable Foot Stools
H 18.88 in W 17 in D 17 in
Chinese Early 20th Century Elmwood Low Prayer Table with Scalloped Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese antique elmwood low prayer table from the early 20th century, with scalloped apron. Born in China during the early years of the 20th century, this elegant low prayer table ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Vintage Chinese Elmwood Stool Raw Natural Wood Finish
Located in Brea, CA
Vintage Chinese elmwood stool raw natural wood finish Measures: 29" W x 8" D x 9.5" H Small stool is sturdy can be used for every day. Beautiful rustic appearance.   
Category

20th Century Chinese Rustic Footstools

Materials

Elm

Chinese Antique 1870s Long Red and Black Elmwood Footrest with Weathered Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese long elmwood footrest from the late 19th century, with black and red accents and weathered patina. Born in China during the third quarter of the 19th century, this...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Petite Japanese 19th Century Keyaki Wood Low Prayer Table with Curving Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A petite Japanese keyaki wood low prayer table from the 19th century with curving leg supports. Found in Kyoto and made of a very strong and beautifully grained wood, this Japanese l...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Footstools

Materials

Wood

Chinese Primitive Low Prayer Table with Multi-color Underglaze Design circa 1800
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese primitive low prayer table from the early 19th century with multi-color underglaze design. Born in China during the early years of the 19th century, this charming ...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Footstools

Materials

Wood

Diminutive Chinese Elm Square Stool with Drawer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive Chinese foot stool or stand featuring a square shape carved from elm. Fronted by a small drawer and constructed with mortise and tenon joinery. Supported by thick, chunky ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Brass

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool by Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Denton, TX
Molded plywood butterfly stool designed by Sori Yanagi for Tendo Mokko.
Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Brass

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool by Tendo Mokko
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool by Tendo Mokko
H 16 in W 16.63 in D 11.75 in
Midcentury Ricardo Lynn Stacking Footstools
By Ricardo Lynn
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern stacking footstools by Ricardo Lynn. Made of mahogany and featuring a black faux-leather upholstered seat. Supported by small turned legs. These stools wil...
Category

20th Century Taiwanese Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Naugahyde, Mahogany

Chinese Natural Lute Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to provide seating at a traditional lute table, this contemporary stool takes a refined stance in warm walnut. Its simple square shape, reminiscent of a Parson table, takes ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Chinese Natural Lute Stool
Chinese Natural Lute Stool
H 16 in W 19.5 in D 13.25 in
Lovely Small Hand-Carved Burmese Footstool Lovely Detailing All-Over Rare Find
By Burma-Vita
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this a very good looking and well-made stool from 19th century Burma A rare find, the fretwork carving is a work of art, the timber is all hand ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Footstools

Materials

Hardwood

Qing Dynasty Cart Stool with Decorative Carving
Located in Chicago, IL
This horse cart stool is from Shanxi, China and was made from elm wood, circa 18th Century.
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Chinese Qing Footstools

Materials

Elm

Vintage Tendo Mokko Heron Rocking Chair and Ottoman
By Tendo Mokko, Mitsumasa Sugasawa
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern Heron rocking chair designed by Mitsumasa Sugasawa for Tendo Mokko, Japan. This piece features an oak frame with stacked laminated ply and retains the original tan...
Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Chinese Stool by Ricardo Lynn
By Ricardo Lynn
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern foot stool featuring a carved base with traditional Asian chow legs and a floating top panel. Bright white tufted cushion with a thick pad and notched cor...
Category

20th Century Taiwanese Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Wood

Pair of Ricardo Lynn Mid-Century Modern Chinese Stools
By Ricardo Lynn
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A pair of 1960s, Mid-Century Modern Chinese foot stools by famous designer Ricardo Lynn with a carved base and featuring traditional chow legs and a floating top panel. Orange tufted...
Category

Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Mid-Century Modern Footstools

Materials

Wood

19th Centruy Chinese Foot Rest
Located in Chicago, IL
A Chinese footrest from c. 1880 made of Chinese Northern Elm with legs ending in hoofed feet.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

19th Centruy Chinese Foot Rest
19th Centruy Chinese Foot Rest
H 7 in W 26 in D 12.5 in
19th Century Chinese Footstool
Located in New York, NY
A mid-19th century Chinese hardwood "cracked ice" pattern footstool.
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Footstools

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Chinese Footstool
19th Century Chinese Footstool
H 6 in W 25.5 in D 25.5 in
Vintage Hmong Hemp Fabric Small Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage hemp fabric made by ethnic tribal Chinese hill people.
Category

20th Century Chinese Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Wood

Elm Foot Rest
Located in Culver City, CA
Shanxi Province, China Elm Foot Rest
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Furniture

Materials

Elm

Elm Foot Rest
Elm Foot Rest
H 8 in W 24 in D 12 in
Pair of 19th Century Elm Wood Stools
Located in Montecito, CA
Primitive Elm Wood Stools with braided leather framed tops; Shanxi, China; 19th Century. Price individually.
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Stools

Materials

Wood, Leather

curved farmer's stool
Located in Brooklyn, NY
farmer's stool in unusual curved for with wonderful soft patina and promounced grain
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Footstools

Materials

Walnut

curved farmer's stool
curved farmer's stool
H 20 in W 22 in D 8 in
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East Asian Wood Footstools For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of east asian wood footstools available for sale. East asian wood footstools have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. There are many kinds of east asian wood footstools to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Mid-Century Modern and Modern east asian wood footstools are of considerable interest. If space is limited, there are small east asian wood footstools measuring 10 inches across. Ricardo Lynn & Corporation, Burma-Vita and Isamu Kenmochi each produced beautiful east asian wood footstools that are worth considering.

How Much are East Asian Wood Footstools?

East asian wood footstools can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $975, while the lowest priced sells for $400 and the highest can go for as much as $4,280.

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.