Early 19th Century English Bobbin-Leg Footstool or Low Bench with Woven Rawhide

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Early 19th Century English Bobbin-Leg Footstool or Low Bench with Woven Rawhide Seat, Savit of Chelsea

An early 19th-century English … Read more Early 19th Century English Bobbin-Leg Footstool or Low Bench with Woven Rawhide Seat, Savit of Chelsea

An early 19th-century English footstool or low bench featuring finely turned spool—or bobbin—legs and stretchers, a decorative technique characterized by rhythmic, rounded beads resembling wooden thread spools. This turning style, popular in provincial Georgian and early Victorian furniture, offered both visual interest and structural integrity.

Unusually wide for its height, the bench measures 36" W x 12" D x just 9" H—proportions that suggest it was intended for use at the base of a low dressing table, in a bedchamber, or as a fireside footrest shared by more than one person. Its extended length and low stance also make it ideal today as a platform for displaying textiles, stacked books, or baskets in an entryway, dressing room, or under a console.

Originally fitted with a caned seat, it was professionally re-strapped in the late 19th C. / early 20th century with thick, hand-cut rawhide woven in a wide checker pattern—an update likely driven by durability needs while preserving its rustic appeal. A surviving label from Savit, Furnisher, Chelsea, a known early 20th-century London upholsterer, adds historical context and provenance.

Decorative, sculptural, and highly functional—this is a rare and characterful example of English country house furniture with enduring versatility. See less