Collections/Naledi

Signature · Top-handle

Naledi

Sotho — 'star'

€4,600

The Naledi Black Impala top-handle bag, front view, showing the three-panel protea-inspired construction and centrally mounted MBALI Gold Nugget
The Naledi in profile, showing the structured gusset, protective piping and linked gold-plated handle assemblies
The Naledi from the rear, showing the clean uninterrupted back panel

A structured Black Impala top-handle bag with three sweeping front panels forming an abstract protea-inspired structure, jewellery-like linked handles and a centrally mounted MBALI Nugget.

Naledi is named for the star — a piece built around vertical presence and disciplined symmetry. Three sculpted front panels meet in a symmetrical protea-inspired seam construction, drawing the eye upward to a single hand-textured MBALI Nugget. The Nugget is individually cast, hand-finished and plated in 24-carat gold, then recessed into a hand-cut seat so the leather lips over its edge and the mark reads as part of the bag rather than applied to it. Two padded leather top handles rise from four linked, gold-plated solid-brass mounting assemblies, sitting comfortably in the hand or in the crook of the arm. The back is left clean and uninterrupted; the sides are structured gussets with protective piping. Inside, black microsuede lining with signature House of MBALI detailing holds a zipped valuables pocket and a leather slip pocket. Every Naledi is individually numbered and produced in strictly limited quantities.

All MBALI metal components — chains, rings, buckles, sliders and feet — are brass with a 24-carat gold-plated finish.

Vegetable-tanned in small batches by a specialist tannery selected for this particular hide. The process develops tonal depth and strength while preserving the natural grain and markings of the animal.

Specification
  • Exterior — Full-grain African game hide, vegetable-tanned with bark-derived tannins, including African acacia and mimosa/wattle extracts
  • Hardware — Warm gold-plated solid-brass handle fittings and links; hand-textured irregular 24-carat gold-plated MBALI Nugget, centrally mounted above the front panel apex
  • Making — One lead artisan is responsible throughout — hide assessment, cutting, shaping, principal seams saddle-stitched, edges built and burnished, hardware set
  • Record — Piece serial struck on the reverse of the seal and linked to its Hide Origin ID
  • 36 × 27 × 14 cm
  • Handle drop approximately 17 cm
  • Capacity approximately 10 litres
  • Estimated weight approximately 1.2 kg
  • Full-grain Black Impala exterior in Deep Black
  • Black microsuede lining with signature House of MBALI detailing
  • Concealed magnetic closure within the top edge
  • One main compartment, zipped valuables pocket and leather slip pocket
  • Fits a 13-inch laptop, wallet, phone, sunglasses and daily essentials
  • Shoulder strap not included
  • Product code NAL-TH-360-BLK-24K
Making & delivery

Ten to sixteen weeks from confirmation, then insured express delivery worldwide.

Prices exclude import duties and local taxes. Some countries restrict the import of game leather; we confirm this before taking your order.

Why the time matters

Every MBALI piece is made to order. The estimated ten-to-sixteen-week period allows the selected hide to be conditioned and mapped to the pattern, its tone to be completed, and each panel to be cut, shaped, saddle-stitched, fitted and finished under the responsibility of one lead artisan.

The finished piece is then inspected, individually numbered and entered into the MBALI Origin Register before insured delivery.

We confirm the expected completion date when your hide and allocation are approved. We do not shorten the process by substituting an anonymous hide or a pre-made body.

Origin Commission

The requested hide is not presently held in the MBALI register. You may request an Origin Commission, through which a suitable hide is identified through an approved wildlife-management programme, documented, tanned and reserved specifically for your piece. The schedule is confirmed before the commission is accepted.

How an Origin Commission works

Returns & care

Cancel in full any time before cutting begins. Unpersonalised pieces may be returned within 14 days; personalised pieces cannot be returned unless faulty.

We restore any piece we have made, quoted in writing beforehand.

Authentication & resale

The serial struck on the reverse of the seal is linked to the Hide Origin ID of the material this piece was cut from. Send us the serial and we will confirm the hide origin, the tannery, the maker and the date it left the bench.

Ownership can be transferred in the register free of charge, so a resold piece keeps its provenance. MBALI does not deal in the resale market and does not appraise resale values.

About the Gold Nugget

Tones — 3 available

  • Deep Black
  • Espresso
  • Oxblood
Availability
Made to Order
Next step
Begin Configuration
Lead time
Ten to sixteen weeks from confirmation
Made in
Made in Cape Town, South Africa
Hide
Black Impala, full-grain, dark to the root
Hardware
Warm gold-plated solid-brass handle fittings and links; hand-textured irregular 24-carat gold-plated MBALI Nugget, centrally mounted above the front panel apex
Price
€4,600

Made to order · Estimated completion 10–16 weeks

Your hide is conditioned and mapped to the pattern, the tone completed, and every panel cut, shaped, saddle-stitched and finished under one lead artisan before the piece is numbered and registered. See why the time matters above.

Choose your tone, monogram, any engraving and the name the piece is registered to on the next step — no account needed. You sign in only at checkout to settle.