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Hermès Kelly 35 Sellier Black Elephant Hide Gold Hardware

Sale price$50,000.00 USD

Hermès Kelly 35 Sellier Black Elephant Hide Gold Hardware

The Hermès Kelly 35 Sellier in Black Elephant Hide is a significant artifact of the maison's production history. Crafted in the 1980s, this bag utilizes a material that has since been strictly discontinued by Hermès due to CITES conservation regulations. Elephant hide is chemically distinct from traditional leathers; it is characterized by a deep, striated grain structure reminiscent of tree bark. This texture is not embossed but is the natural topography of the skin, making it exceptionally durable and virtually immune to scratches or water damage.

This example is constructed in the Sellier style, featuring external topstitching and rigid, sharp edges. The stiffness of the Elephant hide reinforces the boxy, architectural silhouette of the Kelly 35, ensuring it retains its shape over decades of use. Finished with Gold Hardware, the deep, matte charcoal tone of the skin absorbs light, creating a stark contrast against the polished metal. It represents a specific era of Hermès manufacturing that cannot be replicated today.

  • Condition: Vintage (Excellent)
  • Era: Circa 1980s
  • Color: Noir (Black)
  • Material: Elephant Hide (Loxodonta)
  • Hardware: Gold
  • Dimensions: 35 × 25 × 13 cm | 14" W x 10" H x 5" D

JaneFinds Collector’s Insight:
Elephant hide bags occupy a "Forbidden" category in Hermès collecting. Because the material is no longer used, the supply is finite and decreasing as vintage examples disappear into private collections. Collectors value Elephant hide not just for its scarcity, but for its utilitarian toughness—it is widely considered the most durable exotic skin ever used by the brand.

JaneFinds Market Insight:
Vintage exotic Kellys, particularly in discontinued materials like Elephant, Doblis (Suede), or Peau de Porc, trade on a separate value curve from modern bags. Their value is derived from their status as irreplaceable historical objects. A Sellier 35 in Elephant is particularly liquid due to the current market preference for rigid, structured vintage bags over the softer "Retourne" styles.


👜 JaneFinds Condition Guide
📅 Hermès Date Stamp Reference
⛓️ Accessory Chains
📐 Hermès Size Guide