History of Footstools

Footstools have been found way back as long ago as at the time of the Egyptians. When the tombs of the Pharaohs were unearthed miniature footstools were found encased with the various sacred artefacts of antiquity. The historical remains show the ancient Egyptian chair as being quite high off the ground, in stark contrast to other Egyptian furniture, which had smaller dimensions. The highness of the chair required a footstool to be reached. It is thought that in order for the Pharaohs to reach their throne a specially crafted footstool was presented to the King as part of the investiture ceremony to confer their new fount status. Once seated, the footstool was used to support the sitter's feet and was made out of cedar, teak or similar hardwearing wood.

There have been discoveries at Greek and Roman archaeological sites of small pieces that we would today describe as footstools. Yet it was the Moors and latterly the Ottomans who more than anyone needed a lightweight device that was portable enough to carry from place to place. They popularised what we would today understand as a footstool. Their design, developed over the centuries was a deeply upholstered seat of any shape, with or without a back, where, piled with cushions, it was the central piece of domestic seating. One of the early versions was designed as a piece of fitted furniture to go entirely around three walls of a room, and from this evolved a smaller version, designed to fit into corners. The first of these “ottomans” was introduced into Europe in the late 18th century from Turkey and soon became a popular adornment to grand Georgian and latterly Victorian homes. As living conditions improved throughout the Twentieth Century, Ottomans and the recently developed Pouffee from France became an essential fashion statement in British households. By the Millennium over 90% of all homes in the UK owned a footstool or similar storage device.

Today, modern upholstery manufacturers offer a great variety of footstools in all shapes and sizes. Most offer footstools as part of a set of furniture options whereas a company such as Foostools2u only manufacture footstools and are proud to specialise in a craft that dates back to the time of the Pharaohs.