Gold Leaf Footstool with Hand Embroidery

Footstools have evolved throughout history starting in ancient Egypt, where it was utilized to ascend chairs perched high off the ground. It was also used to rest a person’s feet when he or she was seated. In the 18th century a low footstool, such as this, was placed in front of the fireplace, for the family members to place their feet and warm them up. Footstools where generally interchangeable in everyday life from the 17th through the early 19th century.