Omersa is best known for its iconic leather decorative objects, footstools and other seating and furnishings that take on animal forms. The British brand appropriately began with a pig.
Legend has it that a man named “Old Bill” worked for the 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 is made with top grain cowhide leather sourced from an environmentally responsible UK tannery. Authentic Omersa furniture and decor is stuffed with the wood wool of European pine trees and is designed and produced by local craftspersons in Lincolnshire, England.
Find antique and vintage Omersa furniture on 1stDibs.
Giant Omersa Leather Rhinoceros Bench for Liberty's of London, 1960s England
By Omersa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare and discontinued leather rhinoceros by Omersa for Liberty's of London. Heavy, functional stool, strong enough for an adult or two, or three. Made in England, Circa 196...
Metal
$1,869
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
Rare 1960s Walnut Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Stool Bench Ottoman
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Inc. from the 'Stingray' Series. Can be matched with the Model 2466-C Lounge Armchair. Tight and sturdy frame. Architectural form, with staved A...
Walnut
$2,008
H 7.29 in W 12.41 in D 5.12 in
SMALL SiZED LIBERTY'S LONDON OMERSA BROWN LEATHER HIPPOPOTAMUS FOOTSTOOL
By Omersa, 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
$2,423
H 9.06 in W 17.33 in D 6.5 in
LOVELY 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, 1920’s Liberty’s London brown leather hand dyed Hippo stool ...
Leather
$1,695 / set
H 17 in W 23.25 in D 16.5 in
Antique French Benches, Wood and Velvet, X-Stretcher Design, 1960s
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of rectangle shaped benches with semi matte dark brown lacquered X-stretcher bases. Newly covered with burnt orange and gold diamond pattern velvet fabric. The handsome pair fit...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,700
H 20 in W 24 in D 17.75 in
"Hand Forged Iron Bench with Fortuny Fabric and Bronze Details, 1960s"
By Ironies
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"One of a kind" unique hand forged iron Base bench, with cast bronze details, newly upholstered in a one-of-a-kind Fortuny fabric.
Bronze, Iron, Metal
$2,033
H 16.54 in W 28.35 in D 17.72 in
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
$1,869
H 13.78 in W 18.12 in D 16.54 in
Fully Restored Liberty's London Thebes Stool L Wyburd Original Antique Victorian
By Leonard Wyburd, Liberty of London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime fully restored Victorian Liberty’s London Thebes stool designed by L Wyburd This piece is as iconic and stylish as they come, anyone who knows and follows fine furniture will recognise this piece instantaneously The design of this three-legged stool is based on an ancient Egyptian prototype, an example of which, dating to 1550-1300 BC, is in the collection of the British Museum (EA 2481). The Liberty stool, patented in 1884, is one of three models, copying Egyptian originals, retailed by the firm. For a full discussion of the nineteenth century’s fascination with Egyptian stools see Donato Esposito, ‘From Ancient Egypt to Victorian London: the impact of ancient Egyptian furniture...
Oak
Edwardian Hall Bench or Window Seat of Mahogany from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English hall bench or window seat or stool of mahogany from the Edwardian era, featuring roll-end bolsters at opposing ends, over a moulded edge long plank seat of figured mah...
Wood, Mahogany
$2,289
H 13.98 in W 7.49 in D 15.56 in
COLLECTABLE LiBERTY'S LONDON OMERSA LEATHER ELEPHANT FOOTSTOOL STOOL GLASS EYES
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 original 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa leather hand dyed large stool Please note t...
Leather
$2,705
H 27.17 in W 9.45 in D 24.81 in
FINE HAPPY GLASS EYED LiBERTY'S LONDON OMERSA LEATHER ELEPHANT FOOTSTOOL STOOL
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 original 1930’s Liberty’s London Omersa leather hand dyed large stool Please note ...
Leather
$5,332
H 42.13 in W 16.54 in D 38 in
HUGE 1.07 METERS TALL LiBERTY'S LONDON OMERSA LEATHER ELEPHANT BENCH STOOL
By Omersa, 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 leather hand dyed extra large...
Leather
Omersa Leather Rhinoceros Bench for Abercrombie & Fitch, 1960s England
By Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare and discontinued leather rhinoceros by Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. Heavy, functional stool, strong enough for an adult or two, or three. Made in England, Circa 196...
Metal