Empire Foot Stools
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Stools
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century American American Empire Footstools
Linen, Wood
Vintage 1970s Unknown Footstools
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Footstools
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique Early 1800s Empire Ottomans and Poufs
Mahogany
Antique 1830s American American Empire Footstools
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century Footstools
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century English Ottomans and Poufs
Suede
Antique 1820s Regency Chaise Longues
Upholstery, Satinwood
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Antique 19th Century First Empire Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors
Giltwood, Mirror
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Patio and Garden Furniture
Stone, Wrought Iron
20th Century French Wall Mirrors
Wood
Antique 1840s French Aubusson Footstools
Walnut, Nutwood, Wood, Wool, Tapestry, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
Antique 19th Century Victorian Footstools
Brass
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Metal
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Stools
Tapestry, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Footstools
Rubber, Oak
Late 20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Footstools
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century Asian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rattan
20th Century French Napoleon III Footstools
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Settees
Walnut
Recent Sales
Antique Early 18th Century French Empire Stools
Giltwood
Antique 19th Century American Footstools
Leather
Antique 19th Century American Stools
Antique 1830s French Empire Stools
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Stools
Cherry
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Stools
Satinwood
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Biedermeier Stools
Birch
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Unknown Empire Footstools
Wood, Upholstery, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Footstools
Early 20th Century Empire Benches
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1940s French Empire Benches
Wood
Antique 1820s French Empire Mantel Clocks
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Mirror, Ebony
Vintage 1980s French Louis XVI Chaise Longues
Damask, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Walnut
Antique Early 1900s British Dining Room Sets
Antique Early 1900s British Dining Room Sets
Antique 1880s French Stools
Antique Late 19th Century European Empire Footstools
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Footstools
Mahogany, Upholstery
Vintage 1940s European Biedermeier Benches
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Stools
Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century French First Empire Footstools
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Unknown Empire Footstools
Mid-20th Century French Empire Footstools
Brass, Metal
Empire Foot Stools For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Empire Foot Stools?
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- What is a foot stool called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A footstool is called an ottoman, hassock or pouf. The footstool is an umbrella term for furniture pieces used to elevate the foot. On 1stDibs, you can find a wide variety of antique and vintage footstools in different colors, styles and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Yes, an ottoman can be used as a footstool. The ottoman, originally an upholstered seat or small bench without a back or arms, was a family’s main seating furniture, a way to merge floor seating with cushions and mats. It wasn’t until they were brought to Europe from Turkey, during the 18th century, that it became popular to join ottomans with other pieces of furniture, such as at the base of a chair. On 1stDibs, find a collection of ottomans.
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