Hermès 40 cm Birkin Elephant Hide Gold Hardware
By the Privé Porter Editorial Team · Hermès specialists since 2008
The Elephant Hide Birkin offered by Privé Porter is a Hermès Birkin made from elephant hide and fitted with gold hardware. Elephant is not part of Hermès' current leather offering, so examples come only from earlier production and rarely surface. Our team can arrange a private viewing and walk you through its documentation.
What is an Elephant Hide Birkin?
Most Birkins are defined by their color. This one is defined by its surface. Elephant hide has deep, irregular creases and a dry, rugged texture that no calfskin or crocodile resembles, and because the pattern follows the animal's skin, no two bags look alike.
Gold hardware gives the hide a warm, polished counterpoint. The pairing feels more like a collector's object than a fashion piece, which is how most owners of these bags think of them.
Elephant has not been part of the Hermès leather offering for many years, which is why it appears only on the secondary market. We covered its recent on-screen moment in the elephant leather Birkin seen on television. This piece looks instead at the history of the brand.
Elephant Hide Birkin specifications
Details from the Hermès Birkin Elephant Hide Gold Hardware:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Hermès Birkin |
| Size | 40cm |
| Material | Elephant hide |
| Hardware | Gold hardware (GHW) |
Our team confirms dimensions, condition and documentation with each client directly.
What should collectors check before considering an elephant Birkin?
A bag from earlier production asks for more diligence than a recent one. These are the questions we walk every client through:
- Documentation. Trade in elephant products is regulated under CITES, the international treaty that governs trade in wild animal and plant species. Paperwork matters for any cross-border movement.
- Your location. Some countries and states restrict the sale or import of elephant products beyond CITES. We confirm what is possible for your address before any movement.
- Condition of the hide. Check corners, handles and the base for dryness or wear, and the hardware for plating wear.
- Authentication. Stamps, stitching and construction should all be consistent with Hermès work of the era.
Hermès' own approach to exotic sourcing has changed over the decades; we discuss that context in our look at Hermès' ethical leather sourcing.
Why is the elephant Birkin so rare?
Scarcity here is simple arithmetic. No new examples are being made, and only a fraction of those that were made survive in collectible condition. That places the elephant Birkin among the pieces described in the rarest Birkins in the world. Rare Hermès has historically held its value well.
Collecting large exotics? Compare the polished alternative: our Vert Olive Birkin 35 cm in shiny Porosus with diamond hardware.
Why Collectors Choose Privé Porter
Privé Porter is a global destination for rare and exceptional Hermès handbags, with more than $500 million in Hermès sales to clients in over 50 countries. Our collection brings together sought-after Birkins and Kellys, special orders and exceptional exotics, available for immediate purchase.
We purchase our inventory outright through a longstanding network of owners, collectors and resellers. Founder Michelle Berk personally selects and authenticates every bag, bringing more than a decade of firsthand experience to the details that matter: condition, craftsmanship, rarity and the combination of color, leather and hardware.
For a client considering this 40 cm Birkin in elephant hide with gold hardware, that means guidance grounded in direct knowledge of the actual bag, with personal attention from the first inquiry through delivery. Every purchase is backed by our written authenticity guarantee.
Featured in Forbes and The New York Times, Privé Porter has built its reputation through specialist knowledge, exceptional sourcing and lasting relationships with the people who collect Hermès.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hermès still make elephant Birkins?
No. Elephant hide is not part of Hermès' current leather offering, so elephant Birkins are found only on the secondary market. That is the main reason they are so rarely seen.
Is it legal to buy an elephant leather Birkin?
It depends on where you live and where the bag will travel. Elephant products are strictly regulated under CITES, and some jurisdictions add their own extensive restrictions, our team confirms what is possible for your location first.
What does elephant leather look like?
Elephant hide has deep, irregular creases and a matte, rugged surface. The pattern follows the natural skin, so every bag is visibly unique.
How do you care for an elephant hide Birkin?
Keep it dry, out of direct sunlight and stored in its dust bag with light stuffing. For conditioning or repair, consult a specialist experienced with exotic and vintage leathers.
How can I see the Elephant Hide Birkin?
Book a private appointment at our Miami showroom, or contact our team by phone, WhatsApp or email for additional photos and documentation details.
View the Hermès Elephant Hide Birkin with gold hardware, or contact our team to discuss documentation and arrange a private viewing: call or text +1 (305) 432-1285, message us on WhatsApp, or email sales@priveporter.com.