Ostrich Leg Specialist
Ostrich Leg Leather Handbags
A rarer cut — fewer panels per bird, bolder scale pattern, and a finish that classic ostrich cannot replicate.
Since 1972 • Handmade in South Africa • Ethically Sourced Exotic Leather
Most-ordered · 2 left this batch
Picco in Clemaris Ostrich Leg
R 24,950
· serviceable for life
Most-ordered · In stock
Fringe Lolita in Thyme Suede & Olive Ostrich Leg
R 22,950
· serviceable for life
Most-ordered · 2 left this batch
Mini Picco in Mango Ostrich Leg
R 21,950
· serviceable for life
Most-ordered · In stock
Freye in Godiva Ostrich Leg
R 22,500
· serviceable for life
Africa's longest-standing luxury leather atelier. The atelier behind Tiffany & Co., Michael Kors, and Marchesa.
The collection
Four ostrich leg silhouettes,
made this season.
Each made in editions small enough that we can name every artisan who worked on it. Choose your silhouette — we will tell you who built it.
3 left this batch
Best for · daily luxury, all-occasion
Picco in Clemaris Ostrich Leg
Medium wooden top handle bag. Double gusset. Premium ostrich leather.
R 24,950
or 4 × R 6,237.50 via Float (SA only)
See details ↓
In stock
Best for · events, gifting, second bag
Fringe Lolita in Thyme Suede & Olive Ostrich Leg
A pocketable envelope. Optional gold chain.
R 22,950
or 4 × R 5,737.50 via Float (SA only)
See details ↓
2 left this batch
Best for · work, travel, daily essentials
Mini Picco in Mango Ostrich Leg
A considered daily bag — structured, light, and ready for wherever the day goes.
R 21,950
or 4 × R 5,487.50 via Float (SA only)
See details ↓
In stock
Best for · events, gifting, second bag
Freye in Godiva Ostrich Leg
A pocketable envelope. Optional gold chain.
R 22,500
or 4 × R 5,625 via Float (SA only)
See details ↓Picco in Clemaris Ostrich Leg
Best for · daily luxury, all-occasion
Medium wooden top handle bag with a double gusset feature.
What Makes This Piece Rare
- ✓Ostrich leg leather creates bold scaled texture and visual depth
- ✓Signature wooden handle makes the bag instantly recognisable
- ✓Structured shape balances statement craftsmanship with timeless refinement
- ✓Includes removable crossbody strap for versatile styling
- ✓Handcrafted in Cape Town using carefully selected specialty leathers.
- Style
- Small wooden top-handle bag
- Size
- Small
- Dimensions
- 10cm × 22cm × 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 ostrich leg leather
- Origin
- Handcrafted in Cape Town, South Africa
- Sourcing
- CITES certified · ELSA member
- Warranty
- 6-month manufacturing warranty
Material note: Ostrich Leg leather is more glossy than full quill or semi quill ostrich leather, with each skin being unique. Over time, the leather develops a richer patina while maintaining its sculptural texture and character.
Worldwide delivery
Ships worldwide by FedEx Priority. Delivery within South Africa approx. one week — international 3–4 weeks. CITES paperwork handled. Duties payable by buyer on arrival (DDU).
Choose your hardware
Or 4 × R 6,237.50 interest-free via Float (SA only) · See how Float works →
? Questions about this bag? WhatsApp us — we'll reply within a few hours.Fringe Lolita in Thyme Suede & Olive Ostrich Leg
Best for · events, gifting, second bag
Small multifunctional zip bag in with fringe in Thyme Suede & Olive Ostrich Leg leather; which has an adjustable strap that can be worn as a wristlet or underarm bag.
What Makes This Piece Rare
- ✓Combines ostrich leg leather, suede, and handcrafted fringe in one distinctive design
- ✓Olive and Thyme tones create a refined earthy palette
- ✓Ostrich leg leather offers a shinier texture than ostrich quill
- ✓Fringe detail adds playful movement while maintaining a structured bag
- ✓Adjustable strap allows multiple styling options
- ✓Handcrafted in Cape Town in limited small-batch production
- Style
- Structured shoulder bag with fringe detail
- Size
- Small
- Dimensions
- Height in 19cm; 23cm in Length ; 11cm in Width
- Strap
- Adjustable shoulder strap included
- Interior
- Leather and goat suede lining with interior pocket
- Closure
- Zip-top closure
- Hardware
- Gold or Silver
- Primary material
- Genuine ostrich leg leather in Olive
- Secondary material
- Thyme suede trim
- Detail
- Hand-cut leather fringe
- Origin
- Handcrafted in Cape Town, South Africa
- Warranty
- 6-month manufacturing warranty
Material note: Ostrich leg leather has a semi-gloss finish with distinct scaled patterning. The fringe is cut from the same leather as the body of the bag, creating visual consistency while highlighting the artisanal craftsmanship behind each piece.
Worldwide delivery
Ships worldwide by FedEx Priority. Delivery within South Africa approx. one week — international 3–4 weeks. CITES paperwork handled. Duties payable by buyer on arrival (DDU).
Choose your hardware
Or 4 × R 6,737.50 via Float (SA only) · See how Float works →
? Questions about this bag? WhatsApp us — we'll reply within a few hours.Mini Picco in Mango Ostrich Leg
Best for · work, travel, daily essentials
Handcrafted in Cape Town, the Mini Picco in mango ostrich leg leather offers a more textured and distinctive take on our icon bag.
What Makes This Piece Rare
- ✓Compact scale makes the Picco lighter and more wearable
- ✓Ostrich leg leather offers a glossy architectural texture distinct from classic ostrich
- ✓Mango tone deepens beautifully with wear and time
- ✓Signature wooden handle gives the bag recognisable Cape Cobra character
- ✓Includes removable crossbody strap for styling flexibility
- ✓Handcrafted in Cape Town in small-batch production
- Style
- Mini top-handle bag
- Size
- Small
- Dimensions
- Height: 12 cm ; Width: 18 cm ; Depth: 9 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 ostrich leg leather in Mango
- Origin
- Handcrafted in Cape Town, South Africa
- Sourcing
- CITES certified · ELSA member
- Warranty
- 6-month manufacturing warranty
Material note: Mango amplifies the natural scale variation of ostrich leg leather, giving the surface a vibrant richness in changing light.
Worldwide delivery
Ships worldwide by FedEx Priority. Delivery within South Africa approx. one week — international 3–4 weeks. CITES paperwork handled. Duties payable by buyer on arrival (DDU).
Choose your hardware
Or 4 × R 5,487.50 via Float (SA only) · See how Float works →
? Questions about this bag? WhatsApp us — we'll reply within a few hours.Freye in Godiva Ostrich Leg
Best for · events, gifting, second bag
Rectangular top handle clutch in Godiva Ostrich Leg with a decorative flap detail.
What Makes This Piece Rare
- ✓Godiva colourway pairs effortlessly across seasons and wardrobes
- ✓Structured silhouette softens the graphic texture of the leather elegantly
- ✓Glossy finish develops added richness and character over time
- ✓Handcrafted in Cape Town using carefully selected specialty leathers
- ✓Designed for clients seeking a discreet interpretation of specialty leather
- Style
- Rectangular top-handle clutch
- Size
- Small
- Dimensions
- Height: 14cm; Width: 27cm; Depth: 4cm
- Interior
- Goat suede lining with interior pockets
- Closure
- Magnetic flap closure
- Hardware
- Gold or Silver
- Material
- Genuine ostrich leg leather in Godiva
- Sourcing
- CITES certified · ELSA member
- Origin
- Handcrafted in Cape Town, South Africa
- Warranty
- 6-month manufacturing warranty
Material note: Ostrich leg leather is recognised for its unique texture and glossy finish, creating a standout piece. The Godiva colourway enhances the natural beauty of the scales while developing added richness through regular wear.
Worldwide delivery
Ships worldwide by FedEx Priority. Delivery within South Africa approx. one week — international 3–4 weeks. CITES paperwork handled. Duties payable by buyer on arrival (DDU).
Choose your hardware
Or 4 × R 5,625 via Float (SA only) · See how Float works →
? Questions about this bag? WhatsApp us — we'll reply within a few hours.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.
| Bag | Total | Per month × 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Picco in Clemaris Ostrich Leg | R 24,950 | R 6,237.50 |
| Fringe Lolita in Thyme Suede & Olive Ostrich Leg | R 22,950 | R 5,737.50 |
| Mini Picco in Mango Ostrich Leg | R 21,950 | R 5,487.50 |
| Freye in Godiva Ostrich Leg | R 22,500 | R 5,625 |
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.
- 43 Bree Street, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
- +27 60 646 6704
- WhatsApp — replies within 4 hours
- hello@capecobra.com
Mon–Fri 9am – 6pm
Sat–Sun 9am – 3pm
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
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."
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.



















