Flipping through my September issue of Veranda, I ran across a mini feature about the ottoman. Upon reading it, I immediately started to wonder about the ottoman’s history and went on the hunt for any information I could find (thank you Wikipedia, Andrew Lydon, and Amy Everet). Learning a thing or two about its origins, I’m pretty sure I uncovered an historical controversy and furniture mystery along the way.

The History

It’s most probable that the ottoman came about in Europe during the early 1800’s. It’s origin from the identical French word ottoman, which means a certain type of ribbed or corded textile, eventually led to the making of the ever-so-popular fabric covered stool for resting one’s feet. Though its use as a footrest was obvious, it’s not certain whether this notion came about because of Napoleon Bonaparte's adventures around the Mediterranean or Turkish influence in Europe. When Egypt was part of the Ottoman Empire, the Egyptians endured many forms of punishment and acts of brutality. Footstools were utilized as a resting place for weary feet. When the French invaded Egypt, they saw these footstools in use and brought the idea back with them to France.

Others believe the concept of the ottoman made its way to Europe as a direct result of those who travelled back and forth to the Ottoman Empire, returning to Western Europe with concepts and furniture ideas influenced by Turkish furniture styles they saw at mosques and palaces.

The Mystery

The ottoman, also called a hassock, a footstool, a blanket box, a pouffe (something “puffed out” in French), and a tuffet (small cluster of grass in English), happens to be the seat of choice for Little Miss Muffet in the controversial children’s nursery rhyme. First appearing in print in 1805 in a book titled Songs for the Nursery, it’s still unknown as to who exactly wrote the rhyme and why. One theory suggests it was written by Dr. Thomas Muffet, a 16th Century English entomologist for his stepdaughters, and others say it refers to Mary Queen of Scots (1543-1587), who was frightened by religious reformer John Knox. But, here’s the mystery! If any of these theories is true, that means the ottoman has been around for a lot longer than we thought, and the entire course of the ottoman’s history would be changed as we “probably” know it.

Regardless of the history and mystery surrounding the ottoman, it’s a fact that the ottoman or footstool has found its way into almost every single home. Whether for the weary foot, or a hiding place for blankets and clutter, Pfeifer Studio has a unique offering of footstools and poufs you will definitely want to check out.