Footstool

Description

Footstool with four turned maple legs/feet (1" max diameter) tenoned into mortises (angled) in cleats extending along either side. 1/2" diameter maple (?) stretchers extend from leg to leg lengthwise and are tenoned into the bulbous center of each leg. A pine platform is secured to the top of the cleats providing a support for the padding (material unknown) which is covered by muslin then a blue felt-like fabric and tacked to the edges of the pine board (iron tacks). A cover (hooked?) has been fashioned to slip tightly over the padding and the pine support. This cover has a red square center and a (now) greenish colored border. The wood has the dark stain with varnish over common to many of the production chairs made at the South Family. Shaker chair trademark decal in center of bottom.

Notes

This type of footstool, sometimes known as a "cricket," raised the user's knees to facilitate handwork such as sewing, so they are also referred to as sewing stools. A copper printing plate (2006.3.4) in the museum's collection shows the stool as it was pictured in the Shaker sale catalog.