Leather wallet lined with silk and embroidered with metal threads, Istanbul, dated 1682. Folding leather letter cases with divided pockets were used for letters, bank bills and documents of value. They were sometimes brought back as souvenirs by travellers or given as gifts by foreign envoys. Many originate from Turkey and some bear dates and monograms. This example is inscribed SR WILLIAM PORTMAN, CONSTANTINOPLE 1682. Brown leather folding wallet divided into four sections across the width, lined with faded yellow/beige silk and embroidered with fine silver and gold metal threads and green silk. The embroidered designs are delicate arabesques decorated with stylised flowers and leaves. The wallet folds four times and the back is plain. The top flap is shaped into a point and a metal ring is attached to the end. Probably fastened with a ribbon, which is now missing.