Arts of the Islamic World
Arts of the Islamic World
AN EMBROIDERED LEATHER WALLET, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY, DATED 1780
Auction Closed
October 23, 04:16 PM GMT
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
AN EMBROIDERED LEATHER WALLET, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY, DATED 1780
of rectangular form with a fold-over cover, two cloth-lined internal compartments, decorated with silver and gilt thread with stylised foliate details and the initials 'J.S.', 'Constantinople 1780', gilt-metal lock
18.2 by 12cm.
The interior of the wallet is inscribed ‘Constantinople 1780’ and contains two parts, one with a shaped flap and the other a pen compartment. Wallets such as this would have been commissioned by European visitors to the city, both as personalised accoutrements and as souvenirs of their exotic travels. The back of the case is inscribed with the monogram ‘J.S’, the likely owner, framed by embroidered flower heads and a ribbon.
A similar wallet can be found in the Sadberk Hanim Museum, Istanbul (Bilgi & Zanbak 2012, p.348).