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.
Leather Kangaroo by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This vintage magazine holder was made around the 1960s by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. The design is an imitation or interpretation of a kangaroo, made completely in a...
Leather
Dimitri Omersa Leather Kangaroo Magazine Holder
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Amazing leather kangaroo magazine holder designed by Dimitri Omersa.
Leather
Guillerme et Chambron Magazine Holder
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Guillerme et Chambron magazine or book holder with wonderful oak patina and thick dowel design Sold individually
Oak
Wicker Rattan Magazine Holder
Located in New York, NY
A rattan wicker magazine holder stand, circa mid-20th century. Piece has two storage compartment areas to hold magazines, newspapers, papers, books, etc. A great addition to an offic...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Gold Contemporary Magazine Holder
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold contemporary magazine holder Dimensions: L 40.5 x W 30.3 x H 30.3 cm Materials: Steel. Also available in Silver and Black. Please contact us for more information. The design of the Curva magazine...
Steel
Nickel Circular Compact Magazine Holder
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Nickel circular compact magazine holder.
Nickel
Witco Kitty Cat Magazine Holder
By William Westenhaver / Witco, Witco
Located in Highland, IN
This kitty cat is Classic Witco– the company founded by William Westenhaver and known most famously as the furniture that adorns Elvis' "jungle room." Made of deeply carved swap cedar and finished in the Classic Witco way with the dark, raised grain, it's in the form of a cat with a body wrapped in faux fur and designed to hold books or magazines. Loaded with charm and whimsy, it is the perfect addition to hip retro pad or Tiki room...
Faux Fur, Cedar
Silver Contemporary Magazine Holder
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver contemporary magazine holder Dimensions: L 40.5 x W 30.3 x H 30.3 cm Materials: Steel. Also available in Gold and Black. The design of the Curva magazine...
Steel
Tito Agnoli bamboo and leather coat rack for Bonacina, Italy, 1960s
By Tito Agnoli, Bonacina
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This rattan coat hanger, designed by Tito Agnoli for Bonacina in the early 1960s, reveals the quiet precision of Italian craftsmanship from that period. The structure combines curved...
Leather, Bamboo
Joy Collection, Steel Magazine Holder
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
JOY COLLECTION A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. John Keats I am free for the silence of shapes and colors. Manoel de Barros It is better to be happy than sad Joy is the best...
Steel
Stylish Stitched Leather and Brass Magazine Holder by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Montreal, QC
Stylish stitched leather and brass magazine holder by Jacques Adnet.
Leather
1950's Stitched Leather Magazines Rack by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather magazines rack by Jacques Adnet Blue leather France.
Metal
Vintage Travertine Magazine Holder, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage travertine magazine holder. 1970s - Italy Dimensions: Height: 35cm/13.77" Width: 42cm/16.53" Depth: 22cm/8.66" Ref.: 338633
Travertine
Leather Bound Ledger Magazine Holder Italian, 1950s
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Large footed leather bound "Ledger" magazine holder. Holds a dozen or so of your favorite design magazines while looking fabulous as a decor object. Plywood construction wrapped in p...
Plywood
Sold
H 32.29 in W 16.54 in D 29.14 in
Dimitri Omersa leather magazine pouch kangeroo, Almazán, Spain, 1970 (Stamped)
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in The Hague, NL
Very decorative leather “Kangaroo” magazine holder, designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, circa 1960s. These charming leather animals were retailed by Abercrombie & Fit...
Leather
Sold
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 27.56 in
Leather kangaroo Magazine holder by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, 1960
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Very decorative leather magazine holder Kangaroo designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. Dimitri Omersa is known for mostly the rhino, pig, hippo, footstools, this is a ...
Leather
leather Kangaroo magazine Holder by Dimitri Omersa
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimitri Omersa has been quietly crafting unique leather animal foot stools and magazine holders .Dimitry continue to use traditional methods of cr...
Leather
Kangaroo in Leather by Dimitri Omersa, UK, 1960's
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Paris, FR
Large kangaroo magazine holder by Dimitri Omersa (1927-1985). Brown leather. 1960's. Dimitra Omersa was from Yugoslavia and settled in the UK where he created a number of animals mad...
Leather
1950s Dimitri Omersa Leather Kangaroo Sculpture Magazine Stand
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Midcentury Dimitri Omersa leather kangaroo sculpture magazine holder. Adds a whimsical charm to any decorum. Holds 4 or 5 standard magazines with ...
Leather, Straw
Sold
H 37.5 in W 24 in D 24 in
1960 Leather Kangaroo Magazine Holder by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Very decorative 1960 British whimsical Mid-Century Modern leather magazine/book holder/stand Kangaroo designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. It stands almost 3 feet tall...
Leather
Sold
H 35.44 in W 17.72 in D 27.56 in
Leather Kangaroo Magazine Holder by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch, 1960
By Dimitri Omersa, Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Very decorative leather magazine holder Kangaroo designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. Dimitri Omersa is known for mostly the rhino, pig, hippo, footstools, this is a more rare example of his work. Made of top quality full grain cowhide leather souorced in the UK that is tanned especially for the use on these animals. The construction inside consist of a metal structure stuffed with hay. This is a highly collectible and original piece. The piece is in a worn condition with small reparations but still looks amazing, and personally, the worn leather only adds to the charm. 1960s, United Kingdom. Measures: Height 90cm/35.5' Width 45cm/18" Depth 70cm/27.5". Information on Dimitri Omersa & co.: It seems that the first leather pig came into being almost by accident when ‘Old Bill’, who worked making hand luggage for Liberty’s of London, wondered what could be done with the leftover leather. He came up with the idea of a stuffed leather pig footstool! The first pig was sold through Liberty’s in 1927 and Liberty’s has stocked the animal ever since. In those days the pigs were made from pigskin and had very long noses! Dimitri Omersa and his wife Inge came to England in 1955 and settled at Lavender Croft, a sanctuary for refugees in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Dimitri Omersa, a Yugoslav by birth, had been a naval officer and a political prisoner having been imprisoned by Tito for 10 years after the second world war. Dimitri Omersa found work in the leather trade and whilst representing a small leather company in Hitchin met ‘Old Bill’ at Liberty’s. ‘Old Bill’ was due to retire and a deal was struck for Dimitri Omersa to take over the business and continue the supply of pigs to Liberty’s. The business was located to Hitchin in 1958 and before long Dimitri Omersa had ideas for other animals! His first new piece was the leather elephant...
Leather
Dimitri Omersa Kangaroo Magazine Stand England, 1960
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Here for a very nice and extremely decorative leather magazine holder Kangaroo designed by Dimitri Omersa, England 1960. The Kangaroo is one of the rarer ...
Leather
Sold
H 32 in W 20.5 in D 17 in
Leather Kangaroo Magazine Holder Made for Abercrombie & Fitch by Dimitri Omersa
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English leather kangaroo magazine holder made for Abercrombie & Fitch and designed by Dimitri Omersa in the 1960s. This whimsical Mid-Century Modern leather kangaroo is of top qua...
Leather
Dimitri Omersa Leather Kangaroo Magazine Holder
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Amazing leather kangaroo magazine holder designed by Dimitri Omersa.
Leather
Leather Kangaroo by Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Handsome Kangaroo designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch as a store display in the 1960s. Great patina to leather and rarest animal made by Omersa. Pouch makes a perfect ...
Leather