Rhino Footstool by Dimitri Omersa, United Kingdom, 1950s
View Similar Items
Rhino Footstool by Dimitri Omersa, United Kingdom, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Dimitri Omersa (Sculptor, Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23.63 in (60 cm)Width: 78.75 in (200 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Antwerp, BE
- Reference Number:Seller: GW35581stDibs: LU933437006762
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.
- Scandinavian Minimalistic Four-Legged Pine Stools, 1950sBy Charlotte PerriandLocated in Antwerp, BEScandinavian; Minimalistic; pine; wood; four-legged; stools; 1950s; Craftsmanship; Woodworking; Charlotte Perriand; Scandinavian Modern; Scandinavian minimalistic four-legged pin...Category
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Stools
MaterialsPine
- French Wooden Footstool with Leather Cushion, 1960sLocated in Antwerp, BEFrench; Sofa Set; Living Room Set; Leather Cushions; 1960s; Armchair; Club Chair; Lounge Chair; Loveseat; Two-Seater; Settee; Sofa; Footstool; Ottoman...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- "New" Dining Chairs by George Nakashima, United States, 1950sBy George NakashimaLocated in Antwerp, BE"New" dining chairs by George Nakashima - a modern take on the traditional English Windsor chair. Made with hickory spindles in the backrest and carefully carved seats, these chairs ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Modernist Stool by H. Wouda, 1924By Hendrik Wouda, H.Pander & ZonenLocated in Antwerp, BEModernist yellow stool, Hendrik Wouda, H. Pander & Zonen, Netherlands, 1924. Painted pine, silk. The Interbellum, the period between the two World Wars, was a time when culture...Category
Vintage 1920s Dutch Modern Stools
MaterialsBelgian Black Marble
- Rustic Armchair in Solid Oak and Straw, United Kingdom, 1900sLocated in Antwerp, BERustic armchair from the early 1900s, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of British artisans in the spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement. Crafted from robust oak wood and fea...Category
Antique Early 1900s British Arts and Crafts Armchairs
MaterialsOak
- Art Deco StoolLocated in Antwerp, BEFrench 1940s stool in ebonized wood, with red lacquer and gold leaf Would fit well in an eclectic evocative decor inspired by Kelly Wearstler.Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Stools
MaterialsGold Leaf
$2,200
- 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
- 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
- Large footstool "PIG" by Dimitri Omersa. 1960s. Abercrombie & FitchBy Dimitri OmersaLocated in Köln, NWLarge footstool "PIG" by Dimitri Omersa. 1960s. Abercrombie & Fitch. The pig was one of Omersa´s first models The large pig is filled with wood wool and covered in leather. The leat...Category
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century 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
- Largest Leather Rhino Stool by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, SignedBy Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri OmersaLocated 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
- 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