Few pieces of furniture bridge the gap between art, craftsmanship, and play — quite like the leather animal creations of Dimitri Omersa. Born in Yugoslavia and later settling in England, Omersa built a name for himself in the mid-20th century as a visionary leather craftsman. His handcrafted animal footstools — whimsical yet practical — became icons of mid-century design, admired for their character, quality, and timeless appeal.

Omersa’s story began in the 1950s when he took over a small English leather workshop known for producing a pig-shaped footstool for Liberty of London. Rather than limit himself to the traditional pig, Omersa saw an opportunity to breathe new life into the concept. He began experimenting with new animal forms — elephants, rhinos, kangaroos, lions — and in doing so, created a unique line of handcrafted leather sculptures that blurred the boundary between furniture and art.

Among his most beloved creations is the Elephant Footstool, a masterpiece that embodies Omersa’s playful creativity and dedication to craft. Each elephant is made from high-quality cowhide leather, hand-dyed to achieve rich, natural tones. The leather is cut, stitched, and shaped over a sturdy internal frame, then filled with a combination of wood shavings, hay, and natural fibers to give the animal both structure and lifelike presence. 

The Elephant Footstool, like Omersa’s other designs, was sold through Liberty of London and later through Abercrombie & Fitch in the United States, where it quickly gained a following among collectors and design enthusiasts. Over time, these handcrafted animals became became internationally admired and are now highly collectible examples of British artisanal design.

Learn more: Vintage 1970s Leather Elephant Footstool by Dimitri Omersa