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ID #SA1237604
FOR SALE
£1,280
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C. 1930, 'Old Bill' for Liberty, Medium, Leather Elephant Footstool (English)
For sale by White Space Antiques
for sale €1,498     $1,626
£1,280
White Space Antiques

White Space Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2026
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C. 1930, 'Old Bill' for Liberty, Medium, Leather Elephant Footstool (English)

1920 - 1940
Description

C. 1930, 'Old Bill' for Liberty, Medium, Leather Elephant Footstool (English).

Often referred to as 'Omersa', this particular model was designed and produced by 'Old Bill' who was the original designer of leather animals for Liberty of London from 1927 until handing over the reigns to Omersa in 1955 upon his retirement.

This medium model was produced between 1930 and 1935, and is 70cm to the top of the trunk. It was designed as a fireside footstool and as such most examples dried out and perished. This piece is in excellent condition, with no breaks, rips or tears. It features glass eyes, tooled leather and resin tusks.

This model's ears are also solid, over the flappy leather models, which from research suggests it was produced as a shop promotional model. This would explain how it has survived for almost 100-years and makes it an extremely rare example.

DIMENSIONS:

70cm H

68cm W

CONDITION:

No breaks, rips or tears. Leather is not brittle. Overall in good condition.

WEBSITE:

For more information or more detailed images, please visit our website:

https://www.WhiteSpaceAntiques.com

Physical Dimensions
Height
70cm (27.56")
Width
68cm (26.77")
Declaration

White Space Antiques has dated this Liberty Leather Elephant Footstool to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1237604
Description
C. 1930, 'Old Bill' for Liberty, Medium, Leather Elephant Footstool (English).

Often referred to as 'Omersa', this particular model was designed and produced by 'Old Bill' who was the original designer of leather animals for Liberty of London from 1927 until handing over the reigns to Omersa in 1955 upon his retirement.

fig 1. A full-grain dark brown leather footstool shaped as an elephant with an upright trunk and white tusks.
fig 1. C. 1930, 'Old Bill' for Liberty, Medium, Leather Elephant Footstool (English)

This medium model was produced between 1930 and 1935, and is 70cm to the top of the trunk. It was designed as a fireside footstool and as such most examples dried out and perished. This piece is in excellent condition, with no breaks, rips or tears. It features glass eyes, tooled leather and resin tusks.

“
This model's ears are also solid, over the flappy leather models, which from research suggests it was produced as a shop promotional model.
White Space Antiques

This would explain how it has survived for almost 100-years and makes it an extremely rare example.

fig 2. A full-grain dark brown leather footstool shaped as an elephant with an upright trunk and white tusks.
fig 2. C. 1930, 'Old Bill' for Liberty, Medium, Leather Elephant Footstool (English)

DIMENSIONS:

70cm H

68cm W

CONDITION:

No breaks, rips or tears. Leather is not brittle. Overall in good condition.

WEBSITE:

For more information or more detailed images, please visit our website:

https://www.WhiteSpaceAntiques.com

Height
70cm (27.56")
Width
68cm (26.77")
Date of Manufacture

White Space Antiques has dated this Liberty Leather Elephant Footstool to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1237604
White Space Antiques
White Space Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2026

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Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the White Space Antiques Profile Page

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A full-grain dark brown leather footstool shaped as an elephant with an upright trunk and white tusks.
1 / 4
Archive I A full-grain dark brown leather footstool shaped as an elephant with an upright trunk and white tusks.

C. 1930, 'Old Bill' for Liberty, Medium, Leather Elephant Footstool (English)

Archive II A full-grain dark brown leather footstool shaped as an elephant with an upright trunk and white tusks. View II
Archive III A full-grain dark brown leather footstool shaped as an elephant with an upright trunk and white tusks. View III
Archive IV A full-grain dark brown leather footstool shaped as an elephant with an upright trunk and white tusks. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
White Space Antiques

White Space Antiques
Telephone 07760 835542
Location
Westbury
Wiltshire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/whitespace
Verified Since Feb 2026
Items For Sale 67
Items Sold 3
White Space Antiques
White Space Antiques
Verified Since Feb 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/whitespace
Verified
Feb 2026
For Sale
67
Sold
3
A full-grain dark brown leather footstool shaped as an elephant with an upright trunk and white tusks.
C. 1930, 'Old Bill' for Liberty, Medium, Leather Elephant Footstool (English)
Ref: SA1237604
A full-grain dark brown leather footstool shaped as an elephant with an upright trunk and white tusks.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectFootstools
  • Period1920 - 1940
  • StyleArt Deco
  • MaterialLeather, Faux Ivory
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsHand-stitched leather seams, Raised trunk, Tusk accents, Anatomical shaping
  • SizeH 70 cm (28 in) x W 68 cm (27 in)

This medium English footstool takes the form of an elephant from the Art Deco period, dating to 1930. The piece is constructed from full-grain dark brown leather with hand-stitched seams and resin tusks, standing on shaped feet with anatomical detailing, glass eyes, solid ears, and a raised trunk. The hide shows an even patina across the surface, whilst the white tusks project forward from the head and the feet terminate in flat pads. The structure measures 70 cm high by 68 cm wide. \n\nPlaced beside a fireplace hearth in a gentleman's library or study, the footstool serves as a practical seat or footrest. The design incorporates textured hide across the body and large flanged ears positioned on either side of the head. The upright trunk curves upward near the tip, and the tail extends downward at the rear. The substantial hide holds its form without sagging, supporting daily use as a resting place for feet while maintaining its animal shape.

FAQs

Popularised in the 1920s and 1930s by retailers such as Liberty & Co, full-grain leather animal footstools served as both functional footrests and whimsical decorative sculptures within domestic interiors.

These stools were typically built around a sturdy internal frame or packed core, covered in hand-stitched full-grain leather hide, and detailed with painted or faux-ivory accents for features like tusks and eyes.

Authentic early to mid-20th-century examples feature deep surface patina, visible hand-stitching along the seams, natural grain variations, and realistic anatomical shaping crafted without modern synthetic materials.

Position the item beside an armchair, near a fireplace hearth, or within a study to add tactile leather texture and historical character to contemporary or eclectic spaces.

Maintain the leather hide by applying a dedicated leather wax or balm periodically, avoiding direct heat sources or prolonged sunlight, and removing dust with a soft, dry cloth.
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