Daniel Wray's Ottoman wallet
Daniel Wray's Ottoman wallet
Daniel Wray's Ottoman wallet
Daniel Wray's Ottoman wallet
Daniel Wray's Ottoman wallet

Daniel Wray's Ottoman wallet
1780s

During the 17th and 18th centuries young and not so young men on the Grand Tour would commision souvenir cases for their documents - passports, papers and currency. They were made in various cities such as Constantinople and Smyrna (Izmir) and throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

Ours was made for Daniel Wray (1701–1783) an English antiquary and Fellow of the Royal Society.

In the wallet was a hand written inked note: Daniel Wray (1701-1783) antiquary, FRS. Among those who have been identified with Junius (DNB) maried Mary Darell, a sister of Elizabeth who married John Jeffreys, (1718-1798)  rector of Berkhamstead. Daniel's line died out with him and his inheritance passed through his wife and his sister to John Jeffreys, and his line. The Wray property in Essex was inherited by John Jeffreys of Canteton? jointly with Arthur F Jeffreys of Burkham (Burkham House, Bentworth in Hampshire), and was disposed of by them probably in the 1870s or 80s.

Daniel was born in the parish of  St Botolph, Aldersgate, the youngest child of Sir Daniel Wray (died 1719), a London citizen and soap-boiler (manufacturer), residing in Little Britain. Sir Daniel was knighted in 1708, while High Sheriff of Essex, where he possessed an estate near Ingatestone. Sir Daniel's son, attended Charterhouse School and Queen's College, Cambridge.

Description

An Ottoman gilt-thread embroidered leather wallet belonging to Daniel Wray, of rectangular form with cusped flap, the red morocco leather embroidered in silver thread with a floral spray within a wreath, touches of apricot, blue and green embroidery, the embroidered flap lifting to reveal two soft leather flaps, one coloured soft red, the other buff imprinted (heat process) with stylised shapes, their edges with cut zigzags, a further two very small flaps (for coins), the main pocket with Daniel Wray in silver thread, buff coloured leather lining.
18.8 x 12.1 cm.

Condition

The silver is in very good condition. The leather is a little rubbed and could be treated very successfully.

Comments

Turkish Embroidery Pauline Johnstone p  62/63

Price: on request

Ref N°: 8638

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