Mid-century Dimitri Omersa for Valenti Home Bull Ottoman
About the Item
- Creator:Valenti (Manufacturer),Dimitri Omersa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In very good condition.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1974339634342
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Miami, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Overscale Ottomans by Armenio, Paris for Christian Dior Boutique Display PairBy Christian DiorLocated in Miami, FLOverscale Ottomans by Armenio, Paris for Christian Dior Boutique store display pair Offered for sale is a pair of unusually shaped overscale fine-quality...Category
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsChrome
- Le Jeune Upholstery Pietro Ottoman Showroom ModelBy Iconic Design GalleryLocated in Miami, FLLe Jeune Upholstery Pietro Ottoman Showroom Model Offered for sale is a Le Jeune Upholstery Pietro O1.923 Ottoman showroom model. The Pietro is a ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLinen, Hardwood, Walnut
- Dellarobbia Faux Ostrich Leather and Stainless Steel OttomanBy DellaRobbiaLocated in Miami, FLDellarobbia faux ostrich leather and stainless steel ottoman. Offered for sale is an elegant square lea...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Le Jeune Upholstery Indigo Ottoman Showroom Model, Per ItemBy Iconic Design GalleryLocated in Miami, FLLe Jeune Upholstery Indigo Ottoman Showroom Model, Per Item Offered for sale individually are Le jeune Upholstery INDIGO O5/06 .923 Ottomans that are s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsFabric, Hardwood
- Le Jeune Upholstery Club Havana Ottoman Floor Model, Walnut Finished MahoganyBy Iconic Design GalleryLocated in Miami, FLLe Jeune Upholstery Club Havana Ottoman Floor Model, Walnut Finished Mahogany Offered for sale is a Club Havana ottoman by Le Jeune Upholstery styled as a classical 50s modern desig...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsFabric, Ash, Mahogany
- Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Mid-Century Three-Tiered Side Tables, Pr.By Salterini, Maurizio TempestiniLocated in Miami, FLMaurizio Tempestini for Salterini mid-century three-tiered side tables, Pr. Offered for sale is a pair of Maurizio Tempestini Mid-Century Modern three-tiered outdoor...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsWrought Iron
- 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
- 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 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
- Dimitri Omersa Leather Pig Footstool for Abercrombie and FitchBy Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & FitchLocated 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
- Curule Stool by Pierre Lottier for Valenti, Wood and LeatherBy Pierre Lottier, ValentiLocated in Barcelona, ESElegant stool with wooden curule base and cognac leather seat. Designed by Pierre Lottier and manufactured by Valentí, Spain, 1940s. This stool or ottoman is strong and sturdy and i...Category
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- 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