Footstool 1845 - 1855

This footstool was crafted by John A. Ellis and Company, though the exact date remains unknown. The design speaks volumes about the social and cultural values of its time, likely the mid-19th century. During this period, the burgeoning middle class sought to emulate the lifestyles of the aristocracy. Furniture like this footstool, with its ornamental carvings, cushioned seat, and caster wheels, signals a desire for comfort and refinement that reflected a growing emphasis on domesticity. The presence of such an object suggests a society where leisure was becoming more valued, at least for some. By examining furniture catalogs, household inventories, and etiquette manuals from this time, we can understand the footstool's place within the broader context of Victorian social aspirations and consumer culture. It's a reminder that even the most functional objects are embedded in historical context.