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Crocodile Prestige

Crocodile Prestige

Crafted to Be Carried for Decades

Genuine Nile Crocodile belly leather, cut and stitched by hand at one atelier in Cape Town. Four silhouettes made in small batches by eleven artisans; each one signed, each one traceable to a single source.


Since 1972  •  Handmade in South Africa  •  Ethically Sourced Exotic Leather

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As featured in
  • Vogue
  • Business of Fashion
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • House and Leisure
  • The New York Times
The Atelier

Africa's longest-standing luxury leather atelier. The atelier behind Tiffany & Co., Michael Kors, and Marchesa.

Picco in Forest Green Crocodile
Picco in Forest Green Crocodile
Picco in Forest Green Crocodile
Picco in Forest Green Crocodile
Nile Crocodile belly leather Forest Green Signature wooden handle Pay via Float

Picco in Forest Green Crocodile

Best for · daily luxury, all-occasion

R 54,500
Or pay over 4 months 4 × R 13,625 · interest-free via Float (SA only)

The iconic Picco silhouette is crafted from genuine Nile Crocodile belly leather in a deep Forest Green finish that balances bold colour with timeless refinement.

What Makes This Piece Rare

  • Genuine Nile Crocodile belly leather offers naturally symmetrical scale patterning unique to the centre section of the hide.
  • Forest Green brings depth and richness to the leather while remaining refined and highly wearable.
  • The structured Picco silhouette highlights the natural scale graduation across the front panel beautifully.
  • Signature wooden handle gives the bag its recognizable Cape Cobra identity.
  • Includes a removable crossbody strap for added versatility.
  • Handcrafted in Cape Town using CITES-certified crocodile leather.
Specifications
Style
Top-handle bag
Handle
Signature wooden handle
Dimensions
8.8 in × 5.8 in × 4.1 in
Strap
Removable crossbody strap included
Interior
Leather and goat suede lining with interior pockets
Closure
Double gusset with clasp closure
Hardware
Gold or Silver
Material
Genuine Nile Crocodile belly leather
Origin
Handcrafted in Cape Town, South Africa
Sourcing
CITES certified · ELSA member
Warranty
6-month manufacturing warranty

Material note: Nile Crocodile belly leather is recognised for its softer touch and naturally symmetrical scale formation through the centre of the hide. The gradual change in scale size from centre to edge is entirely natural and unique to genuine belly panels. In Forest Green, the tanning process enhances the depth of the scales while preserving the natural character and variation of the leather.

Worldwide delivery

Ships to South Africa and the USA only by FedEx Priority. Deliveries within South Africa take approximately one week — USA take 3 to 4 weeks. CITES paperwork handled. Duties payable by buyer on arrival (DDU).

Choose your hardware

Picco in Nude Crocodile
Picco in Nude Crocodile
Picco in Nude Crocodile
Picco in Nude Crocodile
Nile Crocodile belly leather Nude Handcrafted in Cape Town Pay via Float

Picco in Nude Crocodile

Best for · evening, light carry

R 54,500
Or pay over 4 months 4 × R 13,625 · interest-free via Float (SA only)

The Picco, our iconic bag, is crafted from CITES certified crocodile leather, highlighting a focus on material quality and craftsmanship.

What Makes This Piece Rare

  • Nude reveals the crocodile scale pattern at its most visible and refined
  • One of the most technically demanding colourways to produce consistently
  • Structured silhouette balances craftsmanship with understated luxury
  • Signature wooden handle creates recognisable Cape Cobra identity
  • Includes removable crossbody strap for versatility
  • Handcrafted in Cape Town using CITES-certified crocodile leather
Specifications
Style
Top-handle bag
Size
Small
Dimensions
Height: 10 cm; Width: 22 cm ; Depth: 15 cm
Strap
Removable crossbody strap included
Interior
Leather and goat suede lining with interior pockets
Closure
Double gusset with clasp closure
Hardware
Gold or Silver
Material
Genuine Nile Crocodile belly leather in Nude
Sourcing
CITES certified · ELSA member
Origin
Handcrafted in Cape Town, South Africa
Warranty
6-month manufacturing warranty

Material note: Lighter crocodile tones require exceptional leather selection and tanning precision, as even subtle variation becomes more visible.

Worldwide delivery

Ships to South Africa and the USA only by FedEx Priority. Deliveries within South Africa take approximately one week — USA take 3 to 4 weeks. CITES paperwork handled. Duties payable by buyer on arrival (DDU).

Choose your hardware

Picco in Cognac Crocodile
Picco in Cognac Crocodile
Picco in Cognac Crocodile
Picco in Cognac Crocodile
Nile Crocodile belly leather Cognac Signature wooden handle Pay via Float

Picco in Cognac Crocodile

Best for · work, travel, daily essentials

R 54,500
Or pay over 4 months 4 × R 13,625 · interest-free via Float (SA only)

Medium wooden top handle bag with a double gusset feature.

What Makes This Piece Rare

  • Cognac enhances the natural depth and tones of crocodile leather
  • Belly panels offer softer hand feel and symmetrical scale formation
  • Structured shape balances statement luxury with everyday sophistication
  • Signature wooden handle creates recognisable Cape Cobra identity
  • Includes removable crossbody strap for styling versatility
  • Handcrafted in Cape Town using CITES-certified crocodile leather
Specifications
Style
Structured top-handle bag
Size
Small
Dimensions
Height: 10 cm; Width: 22cm; Depth: 15 cm
Strap
Removable crossbody strap included
Interior
Leather and goat suede lining with interior pockets
Closure
Double gusset with clasp closure
Hardware
Gold or Silver
Material
Genuine Nile Crocodile belly leather in Cognac
Origin
Handcrafted in Cape Town, South Africa
Sourcing
CITES certified · ELSA member
Warranty
6-month manufacturing warranty

Material note: The Cognac finish was developed to preserve warmth while allowing the natural scale pattern and tonal variation of genuine crocodile leather to remain visible. Each belly panel is individually selected for consistency and balance.

Worldwide delivery

Ships to South Africa and the USA only by FedEx Priority. Deliveries within South Africa take approximately one week — USA take 3 to 4 weeks. CITES paperwork handled. Duties payable by buyer on arrival (DDU).

Choose your hardware

Lolita in Black Crocodile
Lolita in Black Crocodile
Lolita in Black Crocodile
Lolita in Black Crocodile
Nile Crocodile belly leather Black Shoulder silhouette Pay via Float

Lolita in Black Crocodile

Best for · events, gifting, second bag

R 49,500
Or pay over 4 months 4 × R 12,375 · interest-free via Float (SA only)

The signature Lolita shoulder silhouette crafted from genuine Nile Crocodile leather for timeless structure and everyday refinement.

What Makes This Piece Rare

  • Black crocodile remains one of the most enduring luxury colourways
  • Curved shape allows the natural scale pattern to flow continuously across the bag
  • Adjustable strap offers flexible day-to-evening wear
  • Handcrafted in Cape Town using CITES-certified crocodile leather
  • Available in additional colourways depending on atelier selection
Specifications
Style
Small multifunctional shoulder bag
Size
Small
Dimensions
19cm in height, 23cm in length, and 11cm in Width
Strap
Adjustable shoulder strap included
Interior
Leather and goat suede lining with interior pocket
Closure
Zip closure
Hardware
Gold or Silver
Material
Genuine Nile Crocodile leather
Sourcing
CITES certified · ELSA member
Origin
Handcrafted in Cape Town, South Africa
Warranty
6-month manufacturing warranty

Material note: The Lolita silhouette allows the natural scale pattern of crocodile belly leather to extend across a broader, uninterrupted surface, making the graduation from larger centre scales to finer edge scales more visible throughout the bag. Each panel is individually selected to maintain balance in texture, symmetry, and finish while preserving the natural character of the leather.

Worldwide delivery

Ships to South Africa and the USA only by FedEx Priority. Deliveries within South Africa take approximately one week — USA take 3 to 4 weeks. CITES paperwork handled. Duties payable by buyer on arrival (DDU).

Choose your hardware

Payment plan

Own it now. Pay over 4 months,
interest-free.


We partner with Float — a South African card-based plan that splits any order over R 8,000 into four equal monthly instalments. No interest. No new account. The card you already have.

BagTotalPer month × 4
Picco in Forest Green CrocodileR 54,500R 13,625
Picco in Nude CrocodileR 54,500R 13,625
Picco in Cognac CrocodileR 54,500R 13,625
Lolita in Black CrocodileR 49,500R 12,375

Available on orders over R 8,000 · South Africa only · Subject to Float approval.

See how Float works →

Not mass-produced. Not imported.

Made here. The way it has been
since 1972.


One atelier. One address. Since 1972.

Every Cape Cobra bag is cut, stitched, lined, and finished at 43 Bree Street, Cape Town. We have never opened a second workshop and we never will.


Eleven artisans. Every bag is signed.

Our makers' names are inside every bag. If you ever bring it back — for repair, for re-lining, for a question — the maker is still here.


Lifetime repair, in-house.

Stitching, lining, hardware re-plating, edge re-painting — all done at cost in the same workshop that built the bag.


Traceable to a single farm.

Every hide is CITES-papered and routed from a single Klein Karoo partner farm. We have visited it. We can put you on a plane to visit it too.


Worn by three generations.

Our oldest serviced bag is from 1981. The original owner's granddaughter brought it in last winter. It went home re-lined.


Made in weeks, not minutes.

A Lolita takes 22 hours of skilled work. We make four a week. We will not be made faster, and we will not be made more.


The first Cape Cobra opened on Long Street in 1972, three doors down from a tailor and a hatmaker. Both have since closed. We are still here.

The atelier

43 Bree Street, Cape Town. Come and hold one before you decide.


An exotic leather bag is hard to buy from a photograph. Visit the workshop — we will pour you something, lay out the hides, and let you make up your mind in person.

Mon–Fri 9am – 6pm

Sat–Sun 9am – 3pm

One Cape Town atelier

Questions

Questions we hear often.


Can I return my bag if I change my mind?

We want you to love this bag for decades, which means we want you to be certain before you order, not after. Because each piece is made to order for you specifically, we are unable to accept returns for change of mind or preference once your order is confirmed. So please, ask us everything first. Our team is on WhatsApp and responds promptly, usually within a few hours during business hours. We are also at the atelier six days a week. There is no such thing as too many questions when it is a decision this considered.

What if my bag arrives with a manufacturing defect?

If you believe your bag has a manufacturing defect, contact us within 6 months of purchase. Once we have assessed and confirmed the fault, we will arrange a repair or exchange. To be eligible, the item must be returned with proof of purchase, in clean condition, and the issue must be a verifiable manufacturing fault — not wear and tear, misuse, or damage caused after delivery. All returns go through a quality inspection before a resolution is confirmed.

What is the warranty on my bag?

All Cape Cobra bags include a 6-month manufacturing warranty under the Consumer Protection Act. This covers verifiable manufacturing defects only, not wear and tear, misuse, improper care, or damage caused after delivery. Sale items are final sale and not covered by the return or refund policy, though the manufacturing warranty still applies.

How long does delivery take?

In-stock bags leave the atelier within 3–4 working days of payment confirmation. Within South Africa, deliveries are signed-for and typically arrive within a week.

International orders travel by FedEx Priority and take 3–4 weeks from dispatch, depending on your destination and customs clearance times. Made-to-order or bespoke pieces take 6–10 weeks in production before dispatch.

All shipments, domestic and international, are fully insured in transit until signed for at your door. We handle all CITES export paperwork where applicable. You will receive tracking details as soon as your bag leaves 43 Bree Street.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, ostrich and ostrich leg ship worldwide. Crocodile is more restricted by international trade regulations; we ship crocodile pieces to South Africa and the United States only.

We ship on a DDU basis; Delivery Duty Unpaid. This means import duties, customs charges, and any local taxes applicable in your country are the responsibility of the buyer and are payable on arrival. These vary by country and are outside our control; we recommend checking your local customs rates before ordering.

We handle all CITES export paperwork in full — every hide is documented and traceable. For first-time international orders, we will ask for written confirmation that you understand the DDU terms before we dispatch. This protects you as much as us.

If your country is not listed in our standard destinations, contact us — we will do our best to find a route to you.

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping costs are calculated individually per order based on your destination and the size of the parcel. Your shipping cost will be confirmed with you before your order is processed — there are no surprise charges after you commit. If you have a question about estimated shipping to your country before ordering, contact us and we will give you a figure upfront.

Is my order insured during shipping?

Yes. Every Cape Cobra shipment is fully insured against loss, theft or accidental damage in transit. This coverage is valid until the parcel has been signed for at your delivery address. Once signed for, the order is no longer covered by shipping insurance. All deliveries require a signature — please ensure someone is available at your shipping address to receive the parcel. If a third party will be signing on your behalf, please let us know their name when placing your order.

Are your exotic leathers legally sourced and certified?

Yes. All Cape Cobra exotic leather products are CITES certified — meaning every hide is documented, traceable, and compliant with international wildlife trade regulations. Cape Cobra is also a member of ELSA (Exotic Leather South Africa), the industry body that governs responsible sourcing standards for exotic leather in South Africa. Every bag ships with the relevant CITES export documentation where required by your destination country.

Is the Float payment plan available to me?

Float is available to South African residents on any order over R8,000 using a Visa or Mastercard. It splits your total into four equal monthly instalments, interest-free, with no new account required. Approval takes approximately 90 seconds at checkout. Float is not available for international orders.

How do I contact you?

We are available in whichever way works best for you.

WhatsApp: +27 60 646 6704 — our team responds promptly, usually within a few hours during business hours.
Email: sales@capecobra.com
Mobile: +27 60 646 6704
Phone: +27 21 415 3440
In person: 43 Bree Street, 1st Floor, Cape Town City Centre, South Africa.

Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm Saturday and Sunday 9am – 3pm

If you are considering a purchase and want to see the hides or hold a bag before you decide, you are welcome to visit the atelier any time during opening hours — no appointment needed.

Our Story

Our story

Third-generation. Women-led.
Africa's oldest luxury leather atelier.


It begins in the 1950s — Lothar Schäfer, a German-trained master artisan, and his wife Denise, of Franco-Italian and Lebanese descent, building their first bags together in a Cape Town home workshop. In 1972, that workshop became Cape Cobra Leathercraft.

Today, Justine Schäfer leads as third-generation Managing Director, alongside 65 artisans who still make every bag from source to stitch entirely in South Africa.

"Manufacturing an exotic leather handbag is an intricate and timely process — not only because it is handmade, but because each skin is unique in its patterns, scale composition, and scars."
— Justine Schäfer, Managing Director
ELSA member CITES certified By appointment to HRH

Stay in touch

Colourways that exist today
may not be available in three months.

Every six weeks we send a short letter: what's on the cutting table, which hides have just arrived, what's leaving the collection. No discount codes. No marketing.

No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Still deciding? We would love to help.

An exotic-leather bag is a 30-year decision. Take it slowly. We will answer any question, in any channel — without trying to close the sale.