Ottomans

Ottomans, in furniture, are padded, upholstered seating pieces that are typically backless and armless, used as footstools, occasional seating, or as a low surface in front of a sofa. They are often rectangular or circular and may include a hinged lid that provides storage. Materials range from wood frames with fabric, leather, or synthetic upholstery to modern foam-filled designs. Styles vary from simple to highly tufted, and some are designed to function as coffee tables or vanity stools. The term ottoman, in furniture, is widely believed to derive from the Ottoman Empire, reflecting 18th-century European fashion for Turkish-inspired interiors.

Ottomans denote the members of the Ottoman Empire, a Turkic state founded by Osman I in the late 13th century in Anatolia. The empire expanded to encompass large parts of Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa and endured until 1922, when the modern Republic of Turkey was proclaimed. It was a multi-ethnic, multi-religious polity governed by a sultan within a hierarchical bureaucracy, with institutional practices such as the devshirme system and the millet communities. The Ottomans are known for architectural and cultural achievements—mosques, palaces, and arts—that facilitated cross-cultural exchange across three continents. The term can refer to the dynasty as well as the diverse peoples who were part of the empire, including Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Arabs, and others, united under Ottoman rule for centuries.