The footstool Collector

Before the advent of reclining chairs and sofas people used a footstool. Footstools have survived the passage of time because most were carved from wood and beautifully upholstered. Over the years footstools were upholstered and upholstered again by their owners, some with needlepoint hand work others with tapestry or quilted covers. I have always collected footstools as valued pieces in their own right and am proud of the collection I have built up.

As for my own private footstool collection, some are valued for the beauty of the wood, while others are displayed for their ornate fabric and aesthetic qualities. Wooden footstools are wonderful as a table shelf. You will find a lot of footstools in the homes of antique dealers. Such people are in the business because they value what they sell. And as the years go by, things accumulate. Ornate footstools are presented as works of art in their own right. They look better on a table or shelf albeit on different levels. A sympathetic lighting display always creates interest - instead of clutter a display of footstools creates a focal point for guests at a gathering or party.

By the middle of the twentieth century footstools became large square hassocks. And yet, these wonderful pieces were built to last. Footstools before that era are still plentiful today and can be found at auction for sale at affordable prices. They were not thrown away, instead, they were kept to enjoy for the beauty they represented. From me to you, add a footstool to your home, it's a fabulous conversation piece that really does create a home sweet home statement.


This author does not get out much and is a regular contributor to the world of footstools and writes extensively about UK contemporary furniture.