Omersa Leather Ram Stool for Abercrombie & Fitch
View Similar Items
Omersa Leather Ram Stool for Abercrombie & Fitch
About the Item
- Creator:Dimitri Omersa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU91331160224
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.
- Omersa Leather Elephant Ottoman for Abercrombie & Fitch, 1960s EnglandBy OmersaLocated in Los Angeles, CAFabulous original leather elephant footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Liberty’s of London, distributed by Abercrombie & Fitch circa 1963. This example is signed with the circle 'A&F CO' embossed stamp under one ear, has the early nail heads under its feet, and is covered in beautifully aged and patinated dark brown leather. The elephant was the second animal Omersa ever produced after their pig. In 1959 the first Omersa elephants...Category
Vintage 1960s English Animal Sculptures
MaterialsLeather
- 77" Leather 'Superking' Rhino by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, SignedBy Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & FitchLocated 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
- Leather Lion Footstools Style of Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & FitchBy Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & FitchLocated in Chula Vista, CATwo Foot stools Pair of Leather Lion Foot Stools In the style of Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. No label present 17 h x 27 long x 10.5 w Preowned original vintage good con...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Stools
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
- 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 Leather Pig Footstool for Abercrombie and FitchBy Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & FitchLocated in North Hollywood, CAAdorable Abercrombie and Fitch leather pig footstool by Dimitri Omersa, manufactured in England, circa 1960s. This footstool showcases the high-q...Category
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather