Leather Bear by Omersa
View Similar Items
Leather Bear by Omersa
About the Item
- Creator:Dimitri Omersa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU80802441312
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.
- De Sede Leather Patchwork OttomansBy De SedeLocated in Beverly Hills, CALarge collection of patchwork leather ottomans by Swiss designer De Sede. Original soft leather with beautiful patina and age. Storage ottomans with open top - $1600 each Close...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather
$1,500 / item - French Woven StoolsBy Adrien Audoux and Frida MinnetLocated in Beverly Hills, CAFrench woven stool ottomans - Wonderful patina - multiple available.Category
Vintage 1950s French Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsRope
$1,950 - De Sede OttomanBy De SedeLocated in Beverly Hills, CADe Sede patchwork leather ottoman in varying shades / patina of green Priced individually Multiple colors available. *Sage ottoman with storage, not in stockCategory
Vintage 1960s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather
$1,800 - De Sede OttomanBy De SedeLocated in Beverly Hills, CALarge collection of patchwork leather ottomans by Swiss designer De Sede. Original soft leather with beautiful patina and age. Multiple colors, sizes and shapes available - inquire f...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather
$1,800 - Audoux-Minet attributed ottomansBy Adrien Audoux and Frida MinnetLocated in Beverly Hills, CAPair of petite rope ottomans /poufs attributed to Audoux-Minet France, 1950s Smaller Pouf 13 1/2" Diam x 9" HCategory
Vintage 1950s French Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsRope
$3,300 / set - De Sede OttomanBy De SedeLocated in Beverly Hills, CALarge collection of patchwork leather ottomans by Swiss designer De Sede. Original soft leather with beautiful patina and age. Multiple colors, sizes and shapes available - inqui...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather
$1,800
- Vintage Omersa Leather DonkeyBy Dimitri OmersaLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic leather donkey by Omersa. Definitely a very early model. Missing eyes and ears and tail. Great looking age and patina. Perfect stool, ottoman or...Category
Vintage 1950s Great Britain (UK) Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather
- Liberty 's Ottoman Leather Pig by Dimitri OmersaBy Dimitri OmersaLocated in Brussels, BEPig ottoman first made in the 1930's for Liberty 's London during decades and later for Abercrombie & Fitch. By Dimitri Omersa, United Kingdom.Category
Mid-20th Century British Arts and Crafts Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Dimitri Omersa Leather Pig Footstool for Abercrombie and FitchBy Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri OmersaLocated 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
- Bull Pouf or Ottoman by Dimitri Omersa - circa 1965By Dimitri OmersaLocated in Paris, FRPouf or ottoman in patinated leather symbolizing a bull by Dimitri Omersa. Ottoman manufactured by Omersa & Co, Lincolnshire England for Liberty's of London. A Dimitri Omersa seat sy...Category
Vintage 1960s British Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- 1960s Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch Leather Rhino Animal OttomanBy Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri OmersaLocated in Cordova, SCThe iconic line of leather patchwork animals was born from left over scrap pieces of leather of a company in England who made high-end luggage and other leather goods. This animal, the Rhinoceros or Rhino, was the third type of animal to be created by the original creator— a man known as “Old Bill...Category
Vintage 1960s English Other Ottomans and Poufs
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