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.
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
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
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
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
$1,855
H 6.89 in W 5.12 in D 12.6 in
Small Infant Liberty's London Omersa Brown Leather Hippopotamus Footstool
By Liberty of London, Dimitri Omersa
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
$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
Vintage Marge Carson Brass Stools/Ottomans
By Marge Carson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Experience the allure of authentic 1970s American design with this exquisite pair of brass poufs by celebrated designer Marge Carson. Each piece showcases a stunning brass base that ...
Brass
'Le Temoin' Stool by Man Ray for Gavina
By Gavina, Man Ray
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Beautiful example in pristine condition, designed by Man Ray for Gavina's ultramobile exhibition.
Faux Leather, Acrylic, Foam, Plywood
Early 20th C Ottoman Upholstered in a Distressed Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very Nice Early 20th C ottoman upholstered in a distressed leather.
Leather, Wood
Capper Low Stool by Phase Design, Leather
By Reza Feiz, Phase Design
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Listed price is for the Capper low stool and Cottswald by Moore & Giles nubuck. COL is also available, with a List price of $ 1,760.00. The Capper Low Stool is also available in fab...
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
Mid-century Dimitri Omersa for Valenti Home Bull Ottoman
By Valenti, Dimitri Omersa
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
$6,544
H 17 in W 41.5 in D 13.2 in
Largest Leather Rhino Stool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, Signed
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
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
Cairn Stool in Oiled Maple by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
By Alvaro Uribe
Located in Omro, WI
The Cairn collection by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda challenges the perception of furniture being purely functional. We believe furniture brings a sense of spirituality and magic to our li...
Hardwood, Maple, Walnut
Omersa Leather Pig
By Omersa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare leather pig by Omersa. Heavy, functional stool for an adult. Old model with elongated snout Made in England, Circa 1960s. Beautiful vintage coloring a...
Leather
1960s De Sede Leather Turtle
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare turtle shaped ottoman by Swiss designer De Sede. Circa 1960s. Very heavy and well made. This fun and unique turtle shaped ottoman can be used as a sit...
Leather
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
Sold
H 19 in W 30.5 in D 13.5 in
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 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
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
Leather Hippo Footstool by Dimitri Omersa, 1960s
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Brussels, BE
Leather Hippo Footstool by Dimitri Omersa, 1960s Small tear in the leather
Leather
1970, Dimitri Omersa Leather Rhinoceros
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Milano, IT
Splendido rinoceronte creato dalla ditta Omersa che prende il nome dall'omonimo fondatore Dimitri Omersa. Il rinocerente presenta i classici tratti distintivi degli animali Omers...
Leather
Sold
H 24 in W 77 in D 19 in
Leather Superking Rhino by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, Signed
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 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 a 'A&F' tag attached to 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 for Omersa Leatherworks of England, Omersa & Company, Liberties of London...
Leather
Sold
H 16.5 in W 33 in D 10 in
Large 33" Leather Rhino Stool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful large sized 33" rhinoceros’s footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch, circa 1980s, in beautiful lightly aged and patinated condition. Sturdy and structurall...
Leather
Sold
H 19 in W 43 in D 13 in
Large 43" Leather Rhino Stool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, Signed
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful collectors example of the original large sized 43" rhinoceros’s footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch, circa 1960s. This example is signed with the made in England stamp underside one ear, and is in beautiful lightly aged and patinated condition. Sturdy and structurally sound, this large rhino is ready to be used as a footstool or stool as it can support the weight of an average sized adult, 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 consider pairing two of the facing opposite directions as dining table seating for one side of the table. Omersa's designed leather animals for Omersa Leatherworks of England, Omersa & Company, Liberties of London...
Leather
Sold
H 15.36 in W 30.71 in D 9.45 in
Leather Donkey Ottoman- Footstool Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, 1965
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Antwerp, BE
Early example Donkey in original leather ottoman by Dimitri Omersa for Liberty's of London manufactured by Abercrombie and Fitch in England, 1965. The leather is soft and supple with a beautiful aged patina. The pig was the first produced animal in the series and later followed by the leather elephant...
Leather
Leather Bull Stool by Dimitri Omersa, 1960s
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in bruxelles, BE
Bull in patinated leather. Wear at the level of the pillows (see photos).
Leather
Leather Rhino Stool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, Signed
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful collectors example of the original large sized 43" rhinoceros’s footstool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch, circa 1960s. This example is signed with the made in England stamp underside one ear, and is in beautiful lightly aged and patinated condition. Sturdy and structurally sound, this large rhino is ready to be used as a footstool or stool as it can support the weight of an average sized adult, 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 consider pairing two of the facing opposite directions as dining table seating for one side of the table. Omersa's designed leather animals for Omersa Leatherworks of England, Omersa & Company, Liberties of London...
Leather