Leather 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” circa 1959 Dimitri Omersa, a Yugoslav by birth and his wife Inge came to England in 1955 and settled at Lavender Croft. Dimitri Omersa found work in the leather trade and whilst representing a small leather company in Hitchin with '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 brand name Omersa was established at this point. The business was re located to Hitchin in 1958 and before long Dimitri Omersa had ideas for other animals. His first new piece was an elephant, followed by the donkey and rhinoceros. The measurement is 50 cm high, 44 cm wide and the depth is 30 cm. The back of the Elephant is high up to 33-35 cm. The weight is approx. 4 kilos. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no official proof of authenticity, however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising from misattribution