Leather Bull by Dimitri Omersa for Liberty, circa 1950s
View Similar Items
Leather Bull by Dimitri Omersa for Liberty, circa 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Dimitri Omersa (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)Width: 10.24 in (26 cm)Depth: 21.66 in (55 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Gloucester, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3796311121691
Dimitri Omersa
Omersa is best known for its iconic leather footstools and decorative objects that take on animal forms. The British furniture brand appropriately began with a pig.
Legend has it that a man named “Old Bill” worked for eclectic department store Liberty of London and wanted to use leftover scraps of leather from handmade luggage to craft an animal-shaped footstool. The first swine-shaped ottoman was born in 1927. Decades later, in 1958, Yugoslavian native Dimitri Omersa had found work in the leather industry in a town in Hertfordshire after time spent imprisoned in the years following World War II. He was working for an independent leather company when he and Bill crossed paths. Taking a shine to one another, Dimitri took over production of the playful leather pig footstools and ottomans for Liberty, and Old Bill retired.
Omersa’s line of animal-themed furnishings expanded to include donkeys, elephants and more. The company made these home accessories in the United Kingdom specifically for Liberty until the mid-1970s and the ears of the lovable leather creatures that were produced during the era are said to have been adorned with the retailer’s branding. A leather badge now appears on the furnishings that is inclusive of the name Omersa as well as the year of manufacture.
Today Omersa creates bespoke leather stools, desktop accessories and other seating in various animal shapes. The company’s artisans rely on traditional methods to craft each of their pieces by hand, paying particular attention to sustainable practices. To this day, Liberty continues to stock the Omersa animals it has carried since the 1930s.
In 1963, the animals crossed the pond to America and won a gold medal at the California State Fair. The mid-1960s saw a relationship take shape between Omersa and Abercrombie & Fitch — long before it transformed into a clothing mecca for teens in the 1990s and early 2000s — while the 1980s saw Omersa forge a partnership with Scully and Scully, a purveyor of luxury furniture and decor founded in New York City.
Dimitri Omersa passed away in 1975, but the animals continued to be produced by his wife Inge for another decade.
While the ownership of the business has changed hands more than once since then, Omersa’s artisans continue to create a range of animal-shaped decorative objects and furnishings that include sheep, cows, horses and more. Annual production is limited, and each piece, made with top grain cowhide leather sourced from an environmentally responsible UK tannery and stuffed with the wood wool of European pine trees, is designed and produced by local craftspersons in Lincolnshire, England.
Find authentic Dimitri Omersa leather animals, decorative objects, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Czech Leather Wrestling Dummy, circa 1950sLocated in Gloucester, GBCzech leather wrestling dummy, circa 1950s - Heavy tan leather - Suede arms - Leather lace up back - Czech, 1950s - Measures: 118 cm tall x 64 c...Category
Vintage 1950s Czech Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsLeather
- Porcelain Bathroom Lights by Sigvard Bernadotte for Ifo circa 1950sBy Ifö ElectricLocated in Gloucester, GBPorcelain Bathroom Lights By Sigvard Bernadotte For Ifo Circa 1950s - Price is per piece (18 available) - Vitreous grey porcelain wall ...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsPorcelain
- Midcentury Dandelion Chandelier, circa 1950sLocated in Gloucester, GBMidcentury Dandelion Chandelier circa 1950s. - Brass stems - 26 outlets - Takes E14 fitting bulbs - German ~ 1950s - 65cm wide x 75cm tal...Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Opaline Pendant Lights by Vilhelm Lauritzen circa 1950sBy Vilhelm LauritzenLocated in Gloucester, GBOpaline pendant lights by Vilhelm Lauritzen Circa 1950s - Opaline glass with a slight concave and point on the underneath - Brass monks cap top - Takes...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsOpaline Glass
- Industrial Angled Wall Lights by Benjamin, circa 1950sBy BenjaminLocated in Gloucester, GBIndustrial angled wall lights by Benjamin, circa 1950s - Vitreous white enamel - Curved steel wall brackets - Takes E27 fitting bulbs - Wires...Category
Vintage 1950s English Industrial Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsEnamel
- Large Light Up Factory Clock by TN, Circa 1950sLocated in Gloucester, GBLarge light up factory clock by TN, Circa 1950s - Steel casing - Glass face and dial - Takes 3x E27 fitting bulbs - New AA battery powered quartz motor - Remote control switch...Category
Vintage 1950s German Industrial Wall Clocks
MaterialsSteel
- Leather Elephant Small Footstool, by Dimitri Omersa, 1960sBy Dimitri OmersaLocated in Delft, NLLeather Elephant small footstool, by Dimitri Omersa, 1960s An Elephant footstool, made in brown leather and firmly filled with straw, by Dimitri Omersa, 1960s The elephant was the first piece designed by Dimitri Omersa when it took over the art of making leather animals from “old bill...Category
20th Century British Footstools
MaterialsLeather
- 77" Leather 'Superking' Rhino by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, SignedBy Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri OmersaLocated in Los Angeles, CAA very-rare and original collectors example of the monumentally sized 77" rhinoceros footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch, circa 1960s. This example is signed with the 'A&F Co' stamp underside one ear, and is in beautiful lightly aged and patinated condition. Incredibly rare and sought-after, this is the pinnacle pièce de résistance of Omersa collecting. Sturdy and structurally sound, this monumental rhino is ready to be used as a stool or bench for one to two people as it can support the weight of two adults - the interior is built with a steel frame, or use as a designer floor or tabletop sculpture or a friendly companion for an otherwise lonely house dog or cat. Some creative ways to use this Dimitri Omersa footstool is as an ottoman next to a coffee table, a foot stool or armrest next to your favorite lounge chair or reading armchair or use as dining table bench seating for one side of the table. Omersa's designed leather animals...Category
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
MaterialsLeather
- Largest Leather Rhino Stool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, SignedBy Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & FitchLocated in Lisse, NLA wonderful and original collectors example of the large-size rhinoceros footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch. This impressive size and highly decorative design Rhi...Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
MaterialsLeather, Glass
- Dimitri Omersa Rhino Footstool for Abercrombie & FitchBy Dimitri OmersaLocated in San Francisco, CADimitri Omersa design leather Rhino footstool for Abercrombie & Fitch. The best condition example available on the market today and the competitively ...Category
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
MaterialsLeather
- Dimitri Omersa & Co Pig in Leather for Abercrombie, England, 1980By Dimitri OmersaLocated in Paris, FRVery nice Pig by Dimitri Omersa & Co in leather for Abercrombie England 1980 Good condition.Category
Mid-20th Century English Modern Footstools
MaterialsLeather
- 1960s Dimitri Omersa Leather Rhino Retailed by Abercrombie & Fitch - RestoredBy Dimitri OmersaLocated in St. Louis, MOEarly Vintage 1960s leather ottoman / sculpture in form of Rhino, made by Omersa and was retailed by Abercrombie & Fitch. This rhino has been refurbished, including new Omersa factor...Category
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Footstools
MaterialsLeather