Luigi Philippe Footstool – Details of Elegance and Distinction
This is not just a stool or a footrest. It’s a small luxury from the early 19th century — an object born for comfort, but also meant to stand out. In a time when homes were cold and warmth came more from fabrics than from fire, raising your feet off the ground wasn’t a whim, but a refined gesture — almost aristocratic. Certainly not for everyone: a piece like this would never have belonged in a peasant’s home, but rather in parlors where elegance was measured in details.
The frame is carved and gilded wood, with the typical flowing curves of the Louis Philippe style — not flashy, but harmonious, resting solidly on four legs that seem almost to move with grace. The restoration removed old varnish to reveal the original mecca gilding, which has been carefully and respectfully brought back to light. The upholstery was entirely redone, using the traditional piccio hand-stitching technique, and covered in a rich red damask fabric with delicate lozenge motifs, finished at the corners with tassels — just as it would have been in the more refined interiors of its time.
A discreet furnishing piece, but one that still brings a well-balanced touch of grace to any room. A cultured and refined accent, able to blend naturally into the right setting — just like all details chosen with care tend to do.
- Condition: Restored
- Period: First half of the 19th century
- Style: Louis Philippe
- State: Optimal conditions