Lizard leather

Lizards are eponymous with four-legged reptiles with long tails and rather short necks. The skin of lizards, like the skin of crocodiles and snakes, belongs to the family of reptiles.

Larger animals are sought after for manufacturing leather as their skin is more stable and larger surfaces are easier to process. Lizards' skins are characterised by closely spaced lumpy scales. The skin is thinner and more sensitive at the points where the lumps meet.

The main purpose of lizard leather is the production of handbags and shoes.

Gone are the days when lizard leather wasn't viewed critically. Exotic leathers are no longer flagship leathers these days. The killing of animals just for the skin is no longer accepted by the majority from the point of view of animal welfare, and also from the point of view of species protection, fewer and fewer consumers adorn themselves with an object made of exotic leather.

Iguana leather

Iguanas are found on the American continents from the South of the USA to Paraguay, as well as the Caribbean islands, the Galápagos Islands and the Fiji Islands. Up until the Wall Street Crash of 1928, iguana leather was a sign of luxury.

Iguana leather in a Mercedes of 1928.

Reptile leather in a Mercedes of 1928.

Leather seats in vehicles was fashionable among the rich in the years 1926-1928. At this time, several French highly-specialized carriages had created interior fittings from reptile leather for some particularly expensive individual pieces (Bugattis, Mercedes, etc.). Certain snake species as well as reptile skins were used. The small pieces of lizard leather were processed like "patchwork" to larger surfaces. Up to 400 lizard skins were processed for one vehicle. This fashion was very quickly over with the stock market crash of 1928.

Iguana leather handbags with animal heads.

Iguana leather handbag with animal head (DLM - German leather museum in Offenbach).

Monitor lizard

There are about 79 species of monitor lizards native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.

Monitor lizard leather (DLM - German leather museum in Offenbach).

Leather grain - Grain side of the monitor lizard skin and leather.

Monitor lizard leather handbag (right DLM - German leather museum in Offenbach).

Shoes made of monitor lizard leather.

Teju leather

The Teju lizard has a length of about 1.50 meters and a a weight of about 7 kilos. The Teju lizard is widely spread throughout South America. Especially in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay (Lagarto) and Brazil.