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.
1960s Leather Kangaroo by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Omersa, Dimitri Omersa, Liberty of London
Located in Beerse, VAN
Look at this beautiful leather kangaroo designed by Dimitri Omersa, made in England in the 1960s and produced for Liberty of London and Abercrombie & Fitch. It is entirely hand-...
Leather
20th Century English Vintage Leather Rhinoceros Footstool by Dimitri Omersa
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage English leather footstool, accent in the shape of a rhinoceros from Dimitri Omersa, in good condition. Minor fading, due to age. W...
Leather
Vintage Leather Bulldog Footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charming leather bulldog sculpture/ottoman by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch (ca. 1960s, England). Recently oiled and conditioned - supple leather shows warm patina/light a...
Metal
Largest Leather Rhino Stool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, Signed
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Lisse, NL
A 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...
Leather, Glass
Pig Stool by Dimitri Omersa in Brown Leather, 1950s
By Liberty of London, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Barcelona, ES
Handsome handmade leather pig footstool / ottoman designed and manufactured at the 1950s by Dimitri Omersa for Liberty of London. Pig ottoman first made in the 1930's for Liberty '...
Leather
Large Leather Rhino by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large Leather Rhino by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch Has conquered many battles, comes with age and repairs with a lovely Patina. Front legs are slightly bent, nice to ...
Leather
Mid Century Modern Leather Bull Mount by, Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Englewood, NJ
A fine and extremely rare Mid Century Modern Leather "Bull Mount" by, Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. The mount is hand crafted and hand stitched in the form of a bull finish...
Brass
Vintage Dimitri Omersa Leather Duck Doorstop by Abercrombie and Fitch, 1950s
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Troy, MI
Leather duck sculpture or doorstop by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch England circa 1950's Crafted in saddle brown leather with hand stitched contours and weighted interior...
Leather
Vintage Dimitri Omersa Lion Leather Footstool, circa 1950s
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Vis, NL
Vintage Dimitri Omersa lion footstool with light wear and patina on the leather consistent with wear and age.
Leather
20th Century English Vintage Elephant Footstool in Leather by Dimitri Omersa
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage English hand crafted leather footstool in the shape of an elephant designed by Dimitri Omersa. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1970, Unite...
Leather
Small Infant Liberty's London Omersa Brown Leather Hippopotamus Footstool
By Dimitri Omersa, Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very rare and original 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather land dyed infant Hippo stool or footstool with original glass eyes. These come in varying sizes, this is the small sized infant, I have the matching medium sized male and female listed under my other items, I also have the extra large bench...
Leather
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Leather Bulldog Ottoman by Abercrombie & Fitch
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous ottoman by Abercrombie and Fitch in the form of a bulldog. Unbelievably cute, such a face! In excellent vintage condition as this was recolored just recently. Designed by Di...
Leather
$2,800
Leather Pig Ottoman
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Leather pig ottoman. Piggy measures 30" wide, 13" deep and 17" high. Great patina and all original. This pig is oversized compared to the ones made by Dimitri Omersa, United Kingd...
Leather
Hippopotamus by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch - 1960s
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Magnificent Leather Hippopotamus Designed in the 1960s by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. This hypopotamus is part of a whole series of different leather animals created by O...
Leather
Omersa Made in England Handcrafted Leather Rhino Footstool / Ottoman Circa 1960s
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimitri Omersa handcrafted leather rhino footstool or ottoman. Circa 1960's. The leather is very thick and shows patina and wear throughout. Original glass eyes. Under one ear, t...
Leather
20th Century English Vintage Bulldog Footstool in Leather by Dimitri Omersa
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage English dark leather bulldog shaped footstool designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch, in good condition. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age an...
Leather
Mid-century Dimitri Omersa for Valenti Home Bull Ottoman
By Dimitri Omersa, Valenti
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-century Dimitri Omersa for Valenti Home Bull Ottoman Offered for sale is a vintage cowhide-leather bull ottoman or footstool by Dimitri Omersa (1927-1975) for Valenti Home. Wh...
Cowhide, Leather
Dimitri Omersa Rhinoceros Leather Footstool by Abercrombie & Fitch C1965
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Absolutely fantastic piece of Sculptural Art in a piece of furniture by Abercrombie and Fitch, designed and executed by Dimitri Omersa C1965. In amazing vintage condition with minor ...
Leather, Art Glass
Dimitri Omersa & Co Pig in Leather for Abercrombie, England, 1980
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Paris, IDF
Very nice Pig by Dimitri Omersa & Co in leather for Abercrombie England 1980 Good condition.
Leather
1960s Dimitri Omersa 36" Leather Rhinoceros Ottoman Abercrombie Fitch
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
The highly collectable Rhinoceros footstool/ ottoman designed by Dimitri Omersa. Heavy leather patchwork with great patina. This is an older version with nailed on feet. This piece w...
Leather
Vintage Omersa Leather Donkey
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic leather donkey by Omersa. Definitely a very early model. Missing eyes and ears and tail. Great looking age and patina. Perfect stool, ottoman or...
Leather
Leather Stool / Object by Dimitri Omersa, Retailed by Abercrombie & Fitch, 1960s
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Round Rock, TX
Leather Lion Footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, England, 1960s–1970s Original leather lion footstool designed by Dimitri Omersa and retailed by Abercrombie & Fitch...
Leather
Dimitri Omersa Vintage Leather Elephant for Abercrombie
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury leather elephant designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch. This piece was part of the Africa series manufactured in the 1960s. Features handstitched aged leath...
Leather
$360Sale Price|71% Off
Abercrombie & Fitch Hand-Stitched Leather Pumpkin by Omersa & Company
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Abercrombie & Fitch hand-stitched leather pumpkin by Omersa & Company. The wide selection of leather items designed by Dimitri Omersa were used for display and foo...
Leather
Leather Kangoroo Magazine Stand
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Schellebelle, BE
An exceptional magazine stand in Leather, a Kangaroo by the British-Yougoslavian designer Dimitri Omersa for the London based warehouse Liberty's, the Kangaroo is in a good Vintage ...
Leather
Leather Elephant Small Footstool, by Dimitri Omersa, 1960s
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Delft, NL
Leather 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...
Leather
Vintage Omersa Leather Turtle Use as Paperweight or Decorative, Retains Label
By Dimitri Omersa, Omersa
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage Dimitri Omersa embossed brown leather Turtle with label. Can be used as a paperweight or as decoration. Fun size. In fine condition, retains label.
Leather
$1,856
H 6.89 in W 5.12 in D 12.6 in
Small Infant Liberty's London Omersa Brown Leather Hippopotamus Footstool
By Dimitri Omersa, Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very rare and original 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather land dyed infant Hippo stool or footstool with original glass eyes. These come in varying sizes, this is the small sized infant, I have the matching medium sized male and female listed under my other items, I also have the extra large bench...
Leather
$695
H 3 in W 5.5 in D 7 in
Vintage Omersa Leather Turtle Use as Paperweight or Decorative, Retains Label
By Dimitri Omersa, Omersa
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage Dimitri Omersa embossed brown leather Turtle with label. Can be used as a paperweight or as decoration. Fun size. In fine condition, retains label.
Leather
$1,895
H 18 in W 28 in D 10.5 in
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Leather Bulldog Ottoman by Abercrombie & Fitch
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous ottoman by Abercrombie and Fitch in the form of a bulldog. Unbelievably cute, such a face! In excellent vintage condition as this was recolored just recently. Designed by Di...
Leather
$3,919 / set
H 10.63 in W 18.9 in D 8.67 in
PAIR OF LIBERTY'S OMERSA MOTHER & CALF LEATHER HIPPOPOTAMUS FOOTSTOOL HiPPO'S
By Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime and very rare pair of original, circa 1940’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather H...
Leather
'Le Temoin' Stool by Man Ray for Gavina
By Man Ray, Gavina
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Beautiful example in pristine condition, designed by Man Ray for Gavina's ultramobile exhibition.
Faux Leather, Acrylic, Foam, Plywood
$3,221
H 12.6 in W 25.79 in D 9.85 in
COLLECTABLE LIBERTY's LONDON OMERSA BROWN LEATHER HIPPOPOTAMUS FOOTSTOOL HIPPO
By Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very rare and original, 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather hand dyed Hipp...
Leather
Leather Rhinoceros Attributed to Dimitri Omersa (large version)
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Incredible solid brown leather Rhinoceros in the style of Abercrombie & Fitch and Dimitri Omersa. Incredible color and patina with green eyes. This ...
Leather
$1,994
H 7.29 in W 12.41 in D 5.12 in
SMALL SiZED LIBERTY'S LONDON OMERSA BROWN LEATHER HIPPOPOTAMUS FOOTSTOOL
By Liberty of London, Omersa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very rare and original, small sized 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather han...
Leather
$1,719
H 7.29 in W 12.41 in D 5.12 in
SMALL INFANT LIBERTY's LONDON OMERSA BROWN LEATHER HIPPOPOTAMUS FOOTSTOOL
By Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very rare and original, small sized 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa brown leather han...
Leather
Vintage Dimitri Omersa Lion Leather Footstool, circa 1950s
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Vis, NL
Vintage Dimitri Omersa lion footstool with light wear and patina on the leather consistent with wear and age.
Leather
$4,800
H 18 in W 34 in D 12 in
Dimitri Omersa Rhino Footstool Abercrombie & Fitch Large Rhinoceros MINT!
By Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Dimitri Omersa Rhino Footstool Abercrombie & Fitch Large Rhinoceros MINT!
Leather
$2,990
H 17.5 in W 28 in D 10 in
20th Century English Vintage Elephant Footstool in Leather by Dimitri Omersa
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage English hand crafted leather footstool in the shape of an elephant designed by Dimitri Omersa. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1970, Unite...
Leather
Vintage Dimitri Omersa Leather Pig Foot Stool
By Sarreid Ltd., Dimitri Omersa
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming handmade leather pig footstool or ottoman was designed and manufactured at the 1950s by Dimitri Omersa . This Pig ottoman was first made in the 1930's for Liberty 's Lo...
Leather
Sold
H 32.29 in W 16.54 in D 29.14 in
Dimitri Omersa leather magazine pouch kangeroo, Almazán, Spain, 1970 (Stamped)
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in The Hague, NL
Very decorative leather “Kangaroo” magazine holder, designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, circa 1960s. These charming leather animals were retailed by Abercrombie & Fit...
Leather
Sold
H 13 in W 42.13 in D 10.63 in
Dimitri Omersa pig in leather Abercrombie & Fitch United Kingdom 1960
By Dimitri Omersa, Valenti
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
This charming leather pig is an iconic design by Dimitri Omersa and manufactured by Valenti, originally created for Abercrombie & Fitch in the 1960s. Handcrafted in the United Kingdo...
Leather
Vintage Leather Elephant / Foot Stool by Dimitri Omersa
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Dimitri Omersa designed the elefanth in the mid-1960s. The elephant was manufactured probably by Almazan in Spain. A similar exemplar was shown in the exhibition “Tierisch schön?” a...
Leather
Dimitri Omersa footstool Model rhino made in England 1960
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Oirlo, LI
Dimitri Omersa, originally from Yugoslavia, arrived in Hitchin, England in 1955 and entered the leather trade. There, he met a Liberty's of London designer known as 'Old Bill,' who...
Leather
Dimitri Omersa, Toro, Inghilterra anni '70
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Rivoli, IT
Poggiapiedi in pelle a forma di Toro disegnato da Dimitri Omersa negli anni '70
Leather
Vintage Leather Lion Footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Iconic vintage leather lion footstool designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. Original from the 1960’s. Absolutely stunning and well executed design. It is in good vintag...
Leather
1960s Dimitri Omersa 32" Leather Bear Ottoman Abercrombie Fitch Rare
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
The highly collectable Bear footstool/ ottoman designed by Dimitri Omersa. Heavy leather patchwork with great patina. This is an older version with remn...
Leather
Dimitri Omersa Leather Hyppo for Abercrombie and Fitch, 60s
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Lucija, SI
Rare Leather Hyppo designed and manufectured by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch in the 60s A gem for every serious collector This animal shows a beautiful patina throughout ...
Leather
Dimitri Omersa kangaroo Abercrombie & Fitch United Kingdom 1960
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice and highly decorative leather kangaroo designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, United Kingdom 1960. This charming kangaroo is a playful yet sophisticated piece ...
Metal
Leather Bull Stool by Dimitri Omersa, 1960s
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in bruxelles, BE
Bull-shaped leather stool designed by Dimitri Omersa. The ears have been restored. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Leather
The Rhinoceros Footstool by Dimitri Omersa 1960
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Oirlo, LI
This unique leather rhinoceros footstool, designed by Dimitri Omersa in the 1960s for Abercrombie & Fitch, is a stunning example of craftsmanship and style. Made from high-quality ...
Leather