FINE ANTIQUE ARMS AND ARMOUR FROM THE PHILIPPE MISSILLIER COLLECTION WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2026
FINE ANTIQUE ARMS AND ARMOUR FROM THE PHILIPPE MISSILLIER COLLECTION TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION: 25 Blythe Road, London W14 0PD AUCTION: Wednesday 9th September 2026, 11am, precisely PUBLIC EXHIBITION: Sunday 6th September 12pm to 4pm Monday 7th September 10am to 7pm Tuesday 8th September 10am to 5pm SALE NUMBER OA0184
ENQUIRIES: Simeon Beever
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SPECIALISTS: Thomas Del Mar Ian Eaves Arthur Millner Nicholas Shaw David Williams Peter Smith Michael Spink
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+44 (0) 207 806 5545 armsandarmour@olympiaauctions.com
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SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY Alexander 1992
Alexander, D. G., The Arts of War: Arms and Armour of the 7th to 19th Centuries, Volume XXI: The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, London: Nour Foundation in association with Azimuth Editions, 1992.
Alexander 2015
David G. Alexander, Islamic Arms and Armor in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2015.
Allan and Gilmour 2000 Augustin and Pilz 2024
James Allan and Brian Gilmour, Persian Steel. The Tanavoli Collection, Oxford Studies in Islamic Art XV, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Bernd Augustin and Marcus Pilz, Gold & Damaszenerstahl. Klingenkunst aus dem Osmanischen Reich/Gold and Damascus Steel. The Ottoman Art of Bladesmithing, Lindenburg im Allgäu: Kunstverlag Josef Fink, 2024.
Civita 2014
Francesco Civita, Islam. Armi e armature dalla collezione di Frederick Stibbert, Florence 2014.
Clais 2021
Jean-Baptiste Clais. “Imperial Mughal Ivory Priming Flasks. A First Catalogue.” Journal of the David Collection vol. 5, (2021), pp. 96-151.
Dam-Mikkelsen and Lundbaek 1980
B. Dam-Mikkelsen and T. Lundbaek, Etnografiske genstande i Det kongelige danske Kunstkammer 1650-1800/Ethnographic Objects in The Royal Danish Kunstkammer 1650-1800, Copenhagen 1980 (In Danish and English).
Egerton 1981
Wilbrahim Egerton, An Illustrated Handbook of Indian Arms and Those of Nepal, Burma, Thailand and Malaya, London 1880, reprinted Bangkok 1981. Robert Elgood (editor), Islamic Arms and Armour, London: Scholar Press, 1979.
Elgood 1979 Elgood 1995
Robert Elgood, Firearms of the Islamic World in the Tareq Rajab Museum, Kuwait, London: I.B. Tauris, 1995.
Elgood 2004
R. Elgood, Hindu Arms and Ritual. Arms and Armour from India 1400-1865, Delft 2004.
Elgood 2015
Robert Elgood, Arms and Armour at the Jaipur Court. The Royal Collection, New Delhi: Nyogi Books, 2015.
Elgood 2017
Robert Elgood, Rajput Arms and Armour, 2 volumes, New Delhi: Nyogi Books, 2017.
Elwell-Sutton 1979
L.P. Elwell-Sutton, ‘Persian Armour Inscriptions’, in Elgood 1979, pp. 5-19.
Figiel 1991
Leo S. Figiel, On Damascus Steel, New York, Atlantis Arts Press, 1991.
Gonella et al 2022
Julia Gonella et al, Museum of Islamic Art. The Collection, London: Thames and Hudson, 2022.
Hales 2013
Robert Hales, Islamic and Oriental Arms and Armour, London: Butler, Tanner and Dennis, 2013.
Holstein 1931
P. Holstein, Contribution à l’Étude des Armes Orientales Inde et Archipel Malais, 2 volumes, Paris: Les Éditions Albert Levy 1931.
Ivanov 1976
A. Ivanov, The Art of Kubachi, Leningrad: Khudozhnik RSFSR Publishing House, 1976 (in Russian and English). A. Ivanov, ‘A group of Iranian daggers of the period from the fifteenth century to the beginning of the seventeenth, with Persian inscriptions’, in Elgood 1979, pp. 64-77.
Ivanov 1979 Jaffer 2019
Amin Jaffer (editor), Beyond Extravagance, New York: Assouline, 2019.
Kaoukji 2017
Salam Kaoukji, Precious Indian Weapons and Other Princely Accoutrements, London: Thames and Hudson, 2017.
Kovacs 2016
Tibor S. Kovacs, Maces, War-hammers and Topors from Hungarian Collections, 2016
Makariou 2002
Sophie Makariou (ed), Nouvelles acquisitions. Arts de l’Islam: 1988-2001, Paris, RMN, 2002.
Meghani 2017
Kajal Meghani, Splendours of the Subcontinent. A Prince’s Tour of India 1875-6, London: Royal Collection Trust, 2017.
Melikian-Chirvani 1979
A.S. Melikian-Chirvani, ‘Bucklers, covers or cymbals? A twelfth-century riddle from Eastern Iran’ in Elgood 1979, pp. 97-111.
Miller 2000
Yurij A. Miller, Kaukasiske Vaben fra Eremitagemuseet, Skt. Petersborg/Caucasian Arms from the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, translated Elena Krasnova, Bent Bjerggren Nielsen, Erik S. Troldhuus, Copenhagen: Devantier, 2000.
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Milovanovic 1981
Dusan Milovanovic, Masterpieces of Serbian Goldsmiths’ Work, London 1981.
Mohamed 2008
Bashir Mohamed (director), The Arts of the Muslim Knight, Paris: Skira, 2008.
Moser-Charlottenfels 1912
Henri Moser-Charlottenfels, Orientalsiche Waffen und Rüstungen, Leipzig: Verlag von Karl W. Hiersemann, 1912.
North 1985
Anthony North, An Introduction to Islamic Arms, London: HMSO, 1985.
Obraztsov 2015
Vsevolod Obraztsov, Oriental Arms and Armour in the Hermitage Collection, St. Petersburg: The State Hermitage Publishers, 2015.
Paszkiewicz 1975
M. Paszkiewicz, ‘Polish War Hammers, Czekan, Nadziak, Obuch’, The Journal of the Arms and Armour Society, Vol. VIII, No. 3, 1975
Petrasch et al 1991
Ernst Petrasch et al, Die Karlsruher Türkenbeute, Munich: Hirmer Verlag, 1991.
Postans 1843
Thomas Postans, Personal Observations on Sindh: The Manners and Customs of Its Inhabitants, and Its Productive Capabilities with a Sketch of Its History, a Narrative of Recent Events, and an Account of the Connection of the British Government with That Country to the Present Period, London: Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans, 1843.
Clarke 1892
C. Purdon Clarke, Catalogue Of The Collection Of Indian Arms And Objects Of Art Presented By The Princes and Nobles Of India To H.R.H. the Prince of Wales K.G., K.T., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., &c. on the occasion of his Visit to India in 1875-1876…, London: W. Griggs and Sons Ltd, 1892.
Clarke 1910
C. Purdon Clarke Arms And Armour At Sandringham. The Indian Collection Presented by the Princes, Chiefs and Nobles of India to His Majesty King Edward VII When Prince of Wales On The Occasion of His Visit to India in 1875-1876; Also Some Asiatic, African and European Weapons and War-Relics, London: W. Griggs and Sons Ltd, 1910.
Rawson 1968
P.S. Rawson, The Indian Sword, London: Herbert Jenkins, 1968.
Reddy 2018
Ravinder Reddy, Arms & Armour of India, Nepal & Sri Lanka. Types, Decoration and Symbolism, London: Hali Publications, 2018.
Richardson 2015
Thom Richardson, Islamic Arms and Armour, Leeds: Royal Armouries, 2015.
Richardson and Turner 2026
Thom Richardson and Paula Turner (editors), The Wallace Collection. Catalogue of Arms and Armour from Asia, Africa and the Ottoman World, London: Wallace Collection, 2026.
Ricketts and Missillier 1988
Howard Ricketts and Philippe Missillier, Splendour Des Armes Orientales, d’Acte-Expo, Paris, 4 May-3 July 1988.
Rivkin 2015
Kirill Rivkin, Arms and Armor of Caucasus, Yamna Publishing, 2015.
Scarce 2006
Jennifer Scarce, ‘Ancestral Themes in the Art of Qajar Iran’, in Islamic Art in the 19th Century. Tradition, Innovation, and Eclecticism, Doris Behrens-Abouseif and Stephen Vernoit (editors), Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2006, pp. 231-256.
Schuckelt 2010
Holger Schuckelt, Die Turkische Cammer, Dresden: Staaliche Kunstsammlung Dresden, 2010
Skelton et al 1982
Robert Skelton (editor), The Indian Heritage, London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982.
Smart and Walker 1985
Ellen S. Smart and Daniel S. Walker, Pride of the Princes: Indian Art of the Mughal Era in the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati: Cincinnati Art Museum, 1985.
Spink 2022
Michael Spink, Brasses, Bronze and Silver of Islamic Lands, with contributions from Melanie Gibson (part one), Doris Behrens-Abouseif (part 3 and part 4), The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, vol. XI, London: Nour Foundation in association with Azimuth Editions, 2022 (in four parts).
Stone 1961
George Stone, A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armour in All Countries and in All Times, reprinted New York: Jack Brussel, 1961.
Stronge 1985
Susan Stronge, Bidriware, London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1985.
Trapp 1929
Oswald Graf Trapp, The Armoury Of The Castle Of Churburg, 1929
Vienna 1983
Die Turken Vor Wien. Europa und die Entscheidung an der Donau 1683, exhibition catalogue, Vienna 1983. vii
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PHILIPPE GILLES RENÉ MISSILLIER (1949–2022)
Over a period of half a century, Philippe became one of the leading connoisseurs and independent scholars in the field of antique arms and armour from Europe, India and the Islamic world. Consulted by the world’s leading museums and collectors, Philippe possessed a remarkable eye for quality and rarity which is reflected in the objects offered in this sale. His company was enjoyed at countless exhibitions and sales around the world, where he would greet colleagues with a hummed fanfare, invariably followed by a profound observation imbued with wit and scholarship in equal measure. Philippe belonged to a generation that truly mastered its subject, visiting every museum and attending as many auctions as he could while simultaneously assembling an important library. A number of the pieces offered here were published in 'Splendeur des Armes Orientales', a landmark exhibition catalogue co-authored in collaboration with Howard Ricketts in 1988, and remains a standard reference today. Philippe wore his immense knowledge lightly, balancing academic rigour with good humour, listening generously to the opinions of colleagues, and invariably raising a smile.
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1 A FINE AND RARE LARGE SAWASA WARE CENSER, 18TH CENTURY of rectangular form and of gilt and black lacquered copper, the body with slightly downcurved sides each centred on a gilt panel cast, pierced and chased in relief against a finely punched ground with prunus inhabited at the front and back with birds and a tiger between engraved and gilt flowering foliage, and on the sides with landscape scenes involving trees, birds, pagodas and figures aboard a boat on one side and prunus and two cranes on the other, all between deeply cusped corner mounts, curved handles each with vertical central slot flanked by finely punched recesses, engraved with a foliate lotus blossom at the top and with a crane on the outside at the bottom, the detachable top on cusped and petalled mounts and engraved around the edges with flowering scrolling foliage, slightly domed lid pierced and chased in low relief with scrolling foliage inhabited by two dragons within an engraved border and surmounted by a karashishi formed in the round, on four scrolled feet engraved with scrolling foliage, and in fine condition retaining virtually all its gilt and lacquered finish, 25.0 cm high, 25.5 cm wide and 14.0 cm deep Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 52C Exhibited Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, 28 November 1998, 28 November - 28 February 1999, E.2.1 Literature Bas Kist et al, Sawasa Japanese export art in black and gold 1650-1800, exhibition catalogue, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, 28 November 1998 – 28 February 1999, p. 105, E.2.1
£6,000-8,000
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2 A RARE SOUTH INDIAN PATALLAH OR PATISSA, 16TH CENTURY the broad double-edged blade of finely watered wootz steel swelling to a ‘cobra’s head’ tip, iron hilt of characteristic form comprising a pair of shaped pointed langets of flattened triangular section extending over half the blades length on each side and with beaded borders, chased with running foliage along the edges at the top and with horizontal panels inhabited by pairs of birds to the point, the forte with tapering central ridge and widening to form a pair of blade-catching quillons each pierced and chiselled in the round as a stylised seated lion, bent-up disc-shaped guard with beaded outer border and chased on the underside with flower-heads in circular and foliate borders, the cup-shaped pommel (finial missing) and turned swelling grip chased with decorative borders (some old pitting), 70 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 37C Literature Robert Hales, Islamic And Oriental Arms And Armour, A Lifetime’s Passion, 2013, p. 193, fig. 465. A related sword, with a saucer-shaped pommel and khanda blade is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, dated by Philip Rawson to the Deccan, 16th century. (inv. no.1425-1855 IS; Rawson 1968, pl. 40). Rawson describes the hilt type as the ‘old-Indian’ form of khanda hilt. A further sword, with a khanda blade, related quillons and grip but different pommel type, is in the British Museum. (inv. no. 1924,1111.57; Elgood 2004, p. 83, no. 8.12) Elgood notes the type was described as ‘anterior to the seventeenth century’ by Casper Purdon Clarke. This early hilt type was replaced on the khanda in the 17th century by a basket hilt with a long curved finial (Hales 2013, p. 193). The use of lions or tigers on the hilt is strongly suggestive of royal ownership as written in the Sinhala Vaijayanta. See Elgood 2004, pp. 113-114. See also a closely related example of this distinctive type sold in this room, 25 June 2008, lot 65.
£4,000-6,000
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3 A RARE INDIAN SOSUN PATA WITH KHANDA HILT, 16TH/17TH CENTURY, THE BLADE POSSIBLY DECCAN, 16TH OR 17TH CENTURY, THE HILT PROBABLY 17TH CENTURY with broad blade cut with a shallow fuller along the back over most of its length on both sides to the slightly curved bellied double-edged point, and with a narrow fuller along the back on both sides, the cutting-edge at the forte on both sides incised with a decorative panel with bird’s head terminal ahead of a chiselled hook-shaped feature, characteristic border engraved hilt covered in silver-gilt and comprising slightly hooked quillons each on a moulded collar, one pierced with a small hole, and shaped extension over each side of the forte with floret-shaped terminal secured by a rivet, waisted bent-up guard with integral triangular knuckle-guard bent-up to join the disc-shaped pommel and incised with sender vertical lines between cartouche-shaped panels, the latter with reeded stalk-like finial on a domed mount, and slender swelling grip now bound with twisted coloured cords (slightly loose, some old wear and rust patination overall), 73.5 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 38C Although the sosun pata can be characterised by a heavy recurved blade, the hilt type can vary between the khanda and tulwar-type. On this example the blade is fitted with a khanda-type hilt with a knuckleguard, a cup-shaped pommel and a long finial. The form may have a Deccani origin: Robert Elgood suggested that a similar blade in the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace, Jaipur, is from Bijapur and dates from the late 16th or early 17th century, fitted with a 17th century Rajput tulwar hilt. (inv.no MJM1.720; Elgood 2015, p.106, no. 74). The blade on this example may also date from the 16th or 17th century Deccan. Further examples are in the Wallace Collection with one, OA 1879, being similarly hilted to this piece. (inv. nos OA 1891, OA1807, OA 2238 and OA 1879; Richardson and Turner 2026, pp. 24, 107, 108). A related example formerly in the Roy Elvis Collection (C52) was sold in this room, 28 June 2023, lot 10.
£3,000-5,000
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4 A NORTH INDIAN OR AFGHANI POULWAR, PROBABLY 17TH/19TH CENTURY with curved finely watered wootz steel blade double-edged at the point in front of the shallow yelman, the forte (expertly rejoined in the past) incised along both sides with a calligraphic cartouche inscribed in thuluth ‘Victory is from God and the conquest is close’ between links and against a ground of scrolls, two rectangular panels of calligraphy (worn) along the back of the blade beyond, finely watered wootz steel hilt of characteristic form comprising pointed langets each with central rivet on a petalled copper alloy washer (one replaced in gold), down bent quillons each formed as a stylised makara-head, spirally-twist globular twopiece pommel surmounted by a button terminal carrying a silver tassel mount pierced with arabesques, and faceted swelling two-piece grip, 78.0 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 128C The hilt of this sword (poulwar) has characteristic downturned quillons terminating in dragon heads, ultimately derived from Timurid models. The spherical pommel is unusual, normally being in the form of a hemispherical cup. Other swords with similar quillons are in the Moser Collection (Moser-Charlottenfels 1912, pl. XXII, no. 76), the Stibbert Museum, Florence (inv. no. 5976; Civita 2014, p. 95, 135, no. 67) and the Royal Armouries (inv. no. XXVIS.180; Richardson 2015, p. 100 and 102, dated there to the 18th century). For a poulwar with a hilt of similar form see Hales 2013, p. 374, fig. 933.
£3,000-4,000
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5 AN INDIAN TULWAR WITH BLADE SLOTTED FOR THE TEARS OF ALLAH, 19TH CENTURY the curved elaborately watered single-edged blade (some old light rust patination) with shallow central fuller over most of its length on both sides, the back of the blade pierced with ten narrow rectangular slots containing numerous free-running metal balls known as ‘The tears of Allah’, characteristic steel hilt decorated overall with a densely set gold-damascened trelliswork design of flower-heads, the outer edges of the grip with a gold-damascened frond, and comprising pointed langets, quillons with button terminals, disc-shaped pommel with rounded finial on a dome, and integral swelling grip, in its wooden scabbard (some damage) covered in blue fabric embroidered in brocade with repeated flowers, 76.5 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 119C The hilt is decorated with a trellis in overlaid gold, also found in silver on several bidri bottles and hookah bases. This design is considered indicative of a Deccani provenance by Susan Stronge (Stronge 1985, pp. 50, 52 and 53, no. 14, see Spink 2022, p. 1067 and p.1073, cat. no. 694). The blade is pierced with slots for small balls, which could be made of polished gems or seed pearls, later of gilded metal as here. Pierced blades were favoured in Iran and Turkey in the sixteenth century, becoming rare by the 17th century. Some of these were fitted to Indian hilts. Blades of this type were also made in India, perhaps from the seventeenth century onwards, and the blade on this tulwar is almost certainly Indian. Most of these rare pierced blades are for daggers, while pierced sword blades are even more unusual. A dagger blade in the Al Thani collection, made in Iran or India circa 1750-1800 and fitted with an Indian horse-head jade hilt, has slots with seed pearls similarly placed along the back edge of the blade (Jaffer 2019, p. 156, cat. 129). Several sword blades formerly in the Figiel collection are slotted for small moveable balls (Figiel 1991, pp. 92-3, 1023, 106-7, nos IS1, IS6, IS8). For discussions on pierced blades, see Ivanov 1979 and Alexander 2015, pp. 208-209).
£4,000-6,000
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6 A HEAVY INDIAN SABRE BLADE FROM THE TALPUR ARMOURY, THE BLADE 18TH CENTURY, THE HILT 19TH CENTURY the curved single-edged blade (some old rust patination) of finely watered wootz steel with false double-edge towards the point, the forte chiselled in bas-relief on both side with a half cartouche, one side with a magic square with the protective letters ‘BDUH’, below which are three gold-inlaid cartouches, the first inscribed in gold nasta’liq ‘Help from Allah and a speedy Victory’ (Qur’an, surah 61(al Saff), part of verse 13), and the second ‘O Ali, peace be upon him, rescue me!’, below this the third inscribed ‘Sarkar Mir Murad ‘Ali Khan Talpur’, and along the edge, also inlaid in gold, ‘Sarkar Mir Muhammed Nasir Khan Talpur’, gilt-copper mounted British lancers mameluke hilt (some wear to gilding) comprising cross-guard cast and chased with a symmetrical foliate motif against a finely punched ground on both sides of the quillon-block, quillons engraved en suite along the top and bottom and each with button terminal, the rear one with a scabbard hook beneath, grip-strap engraved with a line of flower-heads within diamond-shaped borders, rounded ivory grip-scales each retained by two gilt-copper florets, and pommel pierced for a sword-knot, in its later wooden scabbard covered in black leather (damaged at the throat) tooled around the mounts, the latter damascened with gold foliage (worn) and comprising chape and scabbard mounts each with suspension ring, 87.0 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 172C The Talpurs ruled Sind from 1783, when Mir Fath ‘Ali Khan Talpur captured the province from the Kalhora dynasty, and were at their most powerful between 1783 and 1843. They were noted connoisseurs of weapons, including sword blades. They inscribed their names on a wide variety of weapons and other objects, including swords, rifles and accoutrements. The significance of the inscriptions on this sword becomes apparent once we consider the importance of the Talpur rulers at this time. The Talpurs were a formidable family group led by Mir Fath ‘Ali Khan (d. 1801), who ruled with his three brothers: Mir Ghulam ‘Ali Khan (d. 1811), Mir Karim ‘Ali Khan (d. 1828) and Mir Murad ‘Ali Khan (d. 1834). Together they were known as the Char Sar or Four Friends (Postans 1843, p. 188). The most significant branches of the family were the Shahdadpur (the pre-eminent branch), ruling at Hyderabad, the Mankani, ruling from Mirpur, and the Sohrabani, ruling at Khairpur in Upper Sind. Mir Murad ‘Ali Khan (one of the ‘Four Friends’) and his son Mir Muhammad Nasir Khan (d. 1845) were from the Hyderabad branch for which Mir Muhammad Nasir Khan became the senior Mir after 1841. The names of the Talpurs recorded on this sword are therefore those of the most powerful family members across two generations. The blade is a record of a ruling family who maintained their own political identity. A blade in the Wallace Collection chiselled with a very similar half cartouche is signed by Muhammad Kazim Shirazi Isfahani and bears the name of Mir Murad ‘Ali Khan Talpur (inv. no. OA1503, Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 56). It is likely that the present blade came from the same workshop. For a group of swords bearing Talpur inscriptions now in the armoury at Jodhpur Fort, see Elgood 2017, vol. 1, pp. 432-457. Several bear the name of Sarkar Mir Murad ‘Ali Khan Talpur as here. Another shamshir bears his name and also the name of Sarkar Mir Muhammad Nasir Khan Talpur (Elgood 2017, pp. 440-443). The blade was mounted on a British hilt in the 19th century, possibly following either the Battle of Miani or the Battle of Hyderabad, both in 1843, when Sir Charles Napier defeated the Talpurs. Ivory Registration: J2D1VSZF.
£15,000-20,000
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7 A RARE EARLY INDIAN CHILANUM, 16TH CENTURY of russet iron, with waisted tapering leaf-shaped blade of slightly hollowed flattened diamond section, the hilt of curved X-form with swelling grip of diamond section, and decorated overall with gold-damascening and some incised scrollwork, the latter on the quillon and pommel terminals, 34.6 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 50C The straight blade has a characteristic waisted form. A similar blade in the Victoria and Albert Museum (which has a variant hilt with straight arms) is erroneously called Nepalese by Egerton (inv. no. 3048 (IS); Egerton 1981, pl. IX, no. 344, p.102, no. 344).
£1,500-2,000
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8 A RARE INDIAN KHANJAR WITH AGATE (SARDONYX) GRIP, LATE 17TH/18TH CENTURY with bright curved double-edged blade cut with central fullers over each side tapering to the point of diamond section, the narrow central fuller forming a ridge towards the point, cutting-edge on one side at the forte pricked with an armoury number in Indian numerals, silver-gilt hilt comprising down bent quillons each with stylised monster-head terminal, large cartouche-shaped langets each cast and chased with a central beaded oval framing a palm tree flanked by peacocks affronte, a deep collar above and all with slender beaded borders, and grip of sardonyx in ovoidal section rising to a rounded pommel beaked on each side, 25.0 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 48C There are two daggers with sardonyx hilts in the Jaipur armoury (Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace, Jaipur, inv.no MJM17.1758 and MJM25.1282, Elgood 2015, pp. 54-5): Elgood suggests these are European hilts of the 17th century. However, agate was carved extensively in Gujarat and elsewhere in India, and the form of this dagger hilt with a symmetrical lunate pommel is closer to Deccani shapes, including an earlier crystal hilt mounted on a khanjar in Jaipur (Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace, Jaipur, inv.no MJM65.1580; Elgood 2015, p. 29, no. 02). A dagger in the Furusiyya Collection with a lunette pommel is dated to the late 17th century from the Deccan (Mohamed 2008, p. 219, no. 210). A sardonyx hilt in a waisted ‘I’ form is mounted on a dagger blade with inscriptions naming Shah Jahan and dated 1629-30 (Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, inv. no. MW.579.2008.1; Gonella et al 2022, p. 407, no. 11.10). For another Indian dagger with a chalcedony grip see Hales, 2013, p. 56, fig. 114. There are two groups of inventory numbers in Devanagari numerals at the forte: one of two numerals (reading 28?), the other of four numerals (reading 5024).
£3,000-5,000
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9 A SOUTH INDIAN KATAR, 17TH CENTURY, PROBABLY TANJORE OR GOLCONDA with tapering double-edged blade (some old light pitting) adapted from a European sword-blade and with central fuller along most of its length on both sides, one side with traces of marks including four small dots each in a square, and on the other with two star marks and letter ‘A’ and ‘E’, iron hilt retaining some of the original silvering and comprising arched plate extending over each side of the forte and chiselled with flower-heads and a central cyprus against a recessed ground of pierced trelliswork, tapering side-bars en suite, bound reeded grips each with bud-shaped central swelling, and chequered swivelling bead on either side between, 38.0 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 87C Exhibited Splendour Des Armes Orientales, Acte-Expo: Galerie ART, Paris, 4 May-31 July 1988, pp. 80 and 179, no. 129 Literature P. Holstein, Contribution A L’Etude Des Armes Orientales Inde et Archipel Mailais, Tome Second, 1930, pl. XVI, no. 69 European blades, often from Germany or Italy, were fitted to Indian weapons from the sixteenth century onwards in both north and south India as they were not as brittle as Indian steel. An early 20th century photograph of south Indian katars in the Oldman collection shows many with European blades (Elgood 2004, p. 145). For another example, almost certainly from the same workshop, see Bonhams Knightsbridge, Eastern Arms & Armour From the Richard R. Wagner Jr. Collection, 29 April 2015, lot 93.
£2,500-3,500
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10 AN INDIAN KHANJAR HILT, 18TH CENTURY of mutton-fat jade with charcoal grey striations, oval in section indented for the fingers, curved up to a rounded pommel and widening to form a double scroll and the base 12.5 cm high Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 100C This pistol-grip jade hilt has, unusually, been left entirely without decoration except for the carefully carved finger grips. It may be an extreme example of the austere plain style more often seen on rockcrystal hilts: for example an undecorated rock-crystal peshkabz hilt dated to the 17th century in the al-Sabah Collection in Kuwait (inv. no. LNS 279 HS; Kaoukji 2017, pp. 264-265, cat. no. 98).
£1,500-2,000
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11 A FINE INDIAN LANCE HEAD, 19TH CENTURY of steel, with ovoidal pointed head on flattened diamond section damascened in two-colour gold with flowering foliage at the base on each side and along both shoulders, integral socket of tapering circular section damascened in two-colour gold around the neck and base with bands of repeated foliage, wriggle work and lines (some old rust staining), 20.5 cm Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 91C The koftgari gold decoration of this lance head is Indian. However, the form differs from others in published royal treasuries: for spears in the Jaipur Royal Collection, see Elgood 2015, pp. 156-7, nos 107-109. The shape here may be strongly influenced by European forms or possibly be of European manufacture with Indian decoration.
£1,200-1,800
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12 A VERY RARE CASED INDIAN ALL-METAL MACE, 18TH/19TH CENTURY, SOUTH INDIA, POSSIBLY MYSORE OR TANJORE the head of eight steel flanges each of dolphin-shaped outline, on a turned baluster copper alloy collar and surmounted by a turned copper alloy button finial, slender steel haft in two sections divided by a turned and moulded girdle, the upper of octagonal section, and the lower of circular section to the copper alloy hilt, the latter cast and chased in relief with a human mask on both sides between makara-head quillon terminals, disc-shaped pommel on a shaped octagonal mount, the former with petalled outer border pierced with circular holes and with lion-head finial in the round on a dome with petalled border en suite, and swelling grip of ovoidal section incised with a dotted chevron on both sides: in its contoured hardwood case with copper alloy hinges (securing pin missing), 64.0 cm overall (2) Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 85C It is exceptionally unusual for any Indian object to retain its wooden case. A similar flanged mace is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, but the hilt differs, with the Metropolitan example having a basket hilt. (inv. no. 36.25.1903; Stone 1961, p. 422, fig, 533.28; Elgood 2004, p. 188, no. 18.6). Here the unusual hilt form has quillons terminating in makara heads.
£7,000-10,000
12
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13
13 AN INDIAN AXE-HEAD MOUNTED WITH A YALI, 18TH/19TH CENTURY of russet iron, with single-edged recurved blade of moustache form centrally mounted on a petalled bracket made in one with the block-shaped socket, both inlaid over each side in silver with flower-heads and foliage within line borders, the latter retaining the original mounting spike and surmounted by a parcel-gilt figure of a yali cast and chased in the round, 27.2 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 49C Photographs taken in the 1870s show tribesmen holding axes (bullova) of this form (Reddy 2018, pp. 172-3). Related axe heads from the tribal communities of Chota Nagpur, in eastern India, are published by Egerton (Egerton 1981, pp. 73, 78, nos 39-55, particularly no. 40).
£800-1,000
15
14 A PERSIAN SHAMSHIR, LATE 18TH/19TH CENTURY with robust curved blade of finely watered wootz steel double-edged towards the point, the forte along one side chiselled with a trefoil, a circular cartouche inscribed in cursive ‘Help from Allah and a speedy victory’, a recessed panel chased with decorative motifs, and with a rectangular panel along the back reading ‘There is no hero but ‘Ali, no sword but Dhu’l-Fiqar’, steel hilt comprising quillon-block retaining traces of gold damascening and with slender langets (upper ones incomplete) and tapering quillons each with button terminal, pommel-cap, and replacement staghorn grip-scales retained by two transverse copper alloy pins, in its later leather-covered wooden scabbard with thin steel mounts, 76.5 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 175C This shamshir is inscribed with a standard Shi’a saying found on other Persian blades. The chiselled decoration has been well executed and marks this shamshir as superior to those with undecorated blades. The quality of the blade is better than the relatively plain hilt, and it is likely the blade has been remounted. Richardson and Turner give an extensive discussion of the shamshir form, noting that the blades were widely exported and were often remounted (Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 230).
£6,000-8,000
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15 A RARE OTTOMAN ESTOC, 17TH/18TH CENTURY of russet iron and of tapering stiff diamond section over half its length to the point, central block-shaped feature formed with hollowed holes above cusping, the tapering upper half of octagonal and circular section incised with waved lines and scaling, the grip between a pair of swelling cross-hatched mouldings each with roped borders, and large compressed faceted globular pommel surmounted by a pierced button, 123.7 cm long Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 35C The Ottoman meç (estoc) is characterised by a long straight thrusting blade of square or lozenge shaped cross-section (described in Stone 1961, pp. 222-3 ‘Estoc’). On this example, the blade is divided into sections. A related long-bladed weapon is in the Wallace Collection, described as a stiletto and dated to 1167/1753-54 with Montenegro as the suggested place of manufacture. (Wallace Collection, London, inv. no. OA 1909, Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 407). Another example of this rare form from the Missillier Collection was sold at Sotheby’s on 29 April 2025, lot 104.
£1,000-1,500
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16 A RARE ALGERIAN (OTTOMAN PERIOD) SABRE OF NIMCHA FORM, ORAN, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY with curved fullered blade (old rust patination and pitting) double-edged towards the point (oval copper alloy repair on both sides), hilt of characteristic form comprising downcurved copper alloy quillons and knuckle-guard each engraved with foliage and with stylised monster-head terminal each set with a domed fluted green-stained bead in its mouth, wood and horn grip with beaked pommel veneered in panels of turtle shell veneered around the edges with small alternate panels of turtle shell, mother-of-pearl and green-stained horn, and enriched with small green-stained circles each centred on a red coral (corallium rubrum) bead, and border engraved silver pommel-cap and collar both decorated with foliage (minor losses), 62.0 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 132C A very similar example is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. no. 36.25.1550a,b; Alexander 2015, pp. 178-179). The commentary reads: ‘The decoration of the hilt and scabbard of the Museum’s North African sabre indicates an Ottoman influence, which can be seen especially in the vase motif used on the pommel… and the alternation of plaques of horn and mother-of-pearl on the hilt. The latter is especially relevant, as it is also found on a very similar sabre in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, that is stamped with the tugra of Mustaffa II (r. 1695-1703). The Museum’s sabre is also of exactly the same type as five now in Madrid that were captured at the battel of Oran in western Algeria in 1732, when that port was reconquered by the Spanish. At the time Oran was under the jurisdiction of the bey of Mascara, Bu Shalagham, who in turn was overseen by the Bey of Algeria (who from 1708 to 1732 was subject to Ottoman Sultan)’. See also another example in Mohamed 2008, p. 77, no. 41.
£2,000-3,000
16
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17 A FINE FRENCH SILVER-MOUNTED SABRE IN THE OTTOMAN BALKAN MANNER BY MANCEAUX A PARIS, MID-19TH CENTURY with curved fullered blade finely etched overall with a fine damascus pattern, double-edged at the point and signed along the back at the forte, the hilt embossed and chased overall with elaborate flowering scrolling foliage against finely dotted grounds and comprising straight quillons each with bud-shaped terminal (one dented), and grip of circular section rising to an ‘eared’ pommel, the flat grip-strap with diamond-shaped studs against fine scrolls, in its wooden scabbard encased in silver embossed and chased en suite with the hilt and involving three martial trophies along both sides between simulated bands of plaiting and lines of pellets, the locket incised on one side with the date 1243 AH corresponding to 1827 AD, chape formed as the head of a marine monster, and two rings for suspension, 83.0 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 122C Exhibited Splendeur Des Armes Orientales, Acte-Expo: Galerie ART, Paris, 4 May-31 July 1988, pp. 52-53 and 168, no. 75 The maker is Joseph-Francois Manceaux or his son Francois Jules who were awarded various patents relating to arms and militaria. From 1806 they had a shop in Paris and operated a depot for the factory at Klingenthal. Between 1838 and 1872 Francois Jules worked at the Royal arms manufactory in Tulle. Various presentation pieces by Manceaux exist including a cased pair of pistols presented by King Louis-Philippe to the British naval hero Lord Thomas Cochrane in 1843, and another cased pair of flintlock pistols presented by Prince Napoleon to Mohammed bei Heidie on 16 May 1852 and exhibited in Splendeur Des Armes Orientales in 1988 (no. 73).
£6,000-8,000
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18 A FINE FRENCH SILVER-GILT MOUNTED DAGGER OF YATAGHAN FORM BY MANCEAUX A PARIS, MAKER’S MARK OF FRANCOIS-JULES MANCEAUX, 950 STANDARD, MID-19TH CENTURY with finely watered single-edged pipe-back blade etched and gilt with a shaped panel of flowering scrolling foliage over each side of the forte, hilt including ‘eared’ pommel (minor dents) finely cast and chased in relief with symmetrical designs of foliage centred on flower-heads, the dividing strap with flowerheads between interlaced diamonds, and all against finely granulated grounds, the basal collar with a row of arabesques above a row pellets, in its wood-lined scabbard with elaborate foliate designs en suite with the hilt, the locket signed around the throat (minor dent) and formed with three plaited bands between rows of beadwork, shell-shaped terminal, beaded suspension loop, and retaining much of its gilding, 24.2 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 42C Exhibited Splendeur Des Armes Orientales, Acte-Expo: Galerie ART, Paris, 4 May-31 July 1988, pp. 52-53 and 168, no. 74 See footnote to lot 17.
£3,000-5,000
18
20
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19 AN OTTOMAN EBONY-HILTED DAGGER, PROBABLY TURKEY, 18TH CENTURY with curved double-edged blade cut over most of its length on both sides with a pair of slender fullers converging at the point of diamond section, waisted hilt (pommel with old chips) of ovoidal section cut over both sides with slender fluting centred on an oval ridge, in its black leather-covered wooden scabbard tooled on the outside to resemble a locket and a chape, the latter with bud-shaped terminal, 25.5 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 102C This dagger is one of a small group of weapons on which ebony is the dominant material. A dagger with a fluted ebony hilt in the same form as this example was recently exhibited at the Veste Coburg Collection. The dagger and scabbard retain their silver mounts which bear a tughra stamp in the name of Mahmud I (r. 1730-1754), leading to the dating in a recent catalogue of 1730-1740 (Holstein 1931, pl.LXXIV, no. 126, Augustin and Pilz 2024, pp. 298-299, no. 95). Another dagger with an ebony hilt decorated with fluting, dating from earlier in the 18th century, was exhibited at the same time (Augustin and Pilz 2024, p. 298, no. 94). Bernd Augustin notes that the key piece for dating these ebony-hilted daggers is a rifle in the Rüstkammer, Staatlche Kunstsammlumg, Dresden, with a fluted ebony stock having silver mounts with the tughra of Ahmed III (r. 1703-1730). The rifle was presented to Augustus the Strong (1670-1733) and entered the Dresden arsenal in 1717 (inv. no. G 1126, Schuckelt 2010, pp. 236, 237, 280, no. 260).
£2,000-3,000
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20 A LARGE OTTOMAN DAGGER WITH EBONY HILT OF INDIAN KHANJAR FORM, TURKEY, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY with curved double-edged blade of slightly hollowed flattened diamond section, the forte on both sides gold-damascened with intertwined arabesques, carved hilt comprising triangular quillon-block (minor old spilt on both sides) with scrolled quillons, swelling bifurcated pommel slightly curved on each side and surmounted by a tall button finial, and swelling grip between two moulded bands, in its wooden scabbard covered in plum velvet (plush with some wear) with deep silver-gilt locket and chape both finely cast and chased in relief on each side with flowering foliage between swags and against a finely punched ground, the former with small suspension loop on one side, the latter with terminal formed as a duck’s head, and retaining most of its gilding, 41.3 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 104C The ebony hilt follows the form of an Indian (Mughal) khanjar hilt, a type in use during the 17th and 18th centuries. This is unsurprising given that Mughal jade hilts were adopted by Ottoman armourers and mounted onto Turkish blades. A sword in the Turkish Room in Dresden has an Indian hilt gem-set in the Turkish manner (inv. no. Y 143, Schuckelt 2010, pp. 332 and 357, no. 350).
£4,000-6,000
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21 A LARGE OTTOMAN JAMBIYA WITH WALRUS-IVORY HILT, TURKEY, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY the slightly curved tapering blade of finely watered wootz steel with slender medial ridge over nearly its entire length to the point of flattened diamond section, and robust hilt of ovoidal section slightly beaked on both sides at the pommel and at the base, in its wood-lined silver scabbard retaining traces of original gilding, the locket curved to accommodate the hilt and with a decorative band of simulated wire between beadwork and linked trefoils, shell-shaped terminal pierced with a scroll, and suspension loop, 32.5 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier, no. 165C A number of daggers are related to this piece by the forms of the grip and the scabbard. A particularly close parallel is with a dagger with a walrus-ivory hilt, in a silver scabbard with similar wire decoration, recently exhibited at the Veste Coburg Collection in Germany, with a suggested date of 1770-1790. (Augustin and Pilz 2024, p. 308, no. 102). A dagger in the Metropolitan Museum (inv. no. 36.25.757a,b; https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31737; accessed 2 July 2026) has a walrus ivory hilt and a silver scabbard set with corals and turquoise. Another, in the same museum, has a silver scabbard and walrus ivory hilt, without the gem-set decoration of the previous example (inv. no 36.25.763a,b; https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31743; accessed 2 July 2026). A third, in the Wallace Collection, has a silver scabbard bearing the tughra of Sultan Mahmud II (r. 1808-1839) (inv. no. OA 1910; Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 388). A notable feature of the scabbard on these examples as well as the present dagger is the crescent shape at the aperture which fits the shape of the hilt at the quillon. For two related examples see Hales 2013, pp. 49 and 97, figs. 105 and 233.
£4,000-6,000
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22 A LARGE OTTOMAN JAMBIYA MOUNTED IN SILVER-GILT, 19TH CENTURY the broad tapering double-edged blade of finely watered wootz steel and of slightly hollow ground flattened diamond section over its entire length to the slightly curved point, waisted hilt of ovoidal section with pronounced arches at the base and pommel, and with integral grip of circular section, in its woodlined scabbard with fluted locket mount, mango-shaped terminal, foliate loop for suspension, and in fine condition retaining nearly all its gilding (minor old dents), 27.5 cm blade Provenance Sotheby’s Paris, Collection du Baron de Redé provenant de l’Hôtel Lambert, 17 March 2005, lot 759 Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 88C The gilt silver of this large dagger is unusual, in place of the more common use of gilded copper or ‘tombak’, while the decoration is kept austerely simple. The hilt is shaped in the well-known ‘I” form which appears on Ottoman daggers between the 16th and 19th century. The form gradually evolved, and recent studies have shown that hilts developed pronounced arches at the base and pommel of the waisted grip by the 19th century (Augustin and Pilz 2024, pp. 337-349, note particularly pp. 341-348, cat. no. 128, dated to about 1820). The arches are absent on hilts datable to the 18th century (Augustin and Pilz 2024, pp. 310-311, cat. nos 104 and 105).
£6,000-8,000
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23 AN EAST EUROPEAN WAR-HAMMER (BOUCH) OF OTTOMAN INFLUENCE, HUNGARIAN, POLISH OR BALKAN 18TH CENTURY the iron head comprising waisted octagonal head balanced by a robust beak-shaped fluke, socket with bluntly-pointed projection above and below on both sides, and decorated overall in Ottoman fashion with encrusted silver arabesques, knotwork and flower-heads (minor losses), all against a ground of silver pellets and beaded silver borders, on black leathercovered wooden haft of circular section with tubular white-metal mounts each with raised borders punched with small circles, 19.0 cm head Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 84C A similar hammer decorated in the same manner was donated to the National Hungarian Museum by Count Gyla Keglevich in 1868. See Kovacs 2016, p. 196, no. 74. For a discussion on Polish war-hammers see Paszkiewicz 1975, pp. 225-228, pls. LXXXI-LXXXII. Cf. another example sold in this room, 24 June 2026, lot 64.
£3,000-5,000
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25
24 A PERSIAN SHASQA, QAJAR, 19TH CENTURY with curved blade (some old pitting) fullered along the back over most of its length on both sides to the point with false double-edge, the forte on one side with a rectangular panel chiselled in thuluth ‘There is no power and no might but almighty God’s power and light’ surmounted by a bird amid foliage in a cartouche, and on the other with a cartouche chiselled in thuluth ‘Oh (God) the All-Providing’, a circular cartouche above containing a lion, probably referring to the lion of God, Ali, and dark horn grip-scales each characteristically beaked at the pommel and retained by three transverse steel pins, 79.5 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN7
£700-1,000 25 A CAUCASIAN SWORD WITH NIELLOED SILVER MOUNTS, 19TH CENTURY with earlier single-edged blade (minor old pitting) cut with a double fuller over most of its length on both sides, the lower fuller extending into the point with false double edge, and lightly etched with scrollwork along the cutting edge, the back of the blade on each side incised with a row of ‘eyelash’ marks, and the forte on both sides incised with double ‘eyelash’ marks and dots, hilt comprising quillon-block (old repairs on one side) with nielloed central boss centred on beaded borders and with button quillon terminals, grip of flattened oval section rising to a beaked pommel, and nielloed with foliage between bands and borders of beading, the pommel with two white-metal chains each carrying a disc, in its two-piece wooden scabbard (covering missing) with locket, chape and suspension mount all nielloed with designs of symmetrical foliage (locket with some loss of niello), and two suspension rings, 73.5 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN5 This shasqua has a distinctive curve of the hilt at the pommel, which can be compared to a piece in the State Hermitage, suggesting it may have been made in Tbilisi in Georgia. (inv. no. 3655, Miller 2000, pp. 96-97, no. 37). The straight blade is also less common than the usual curved blade.
£1,000-1,500
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26
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26 A CAUCASIAN SHASQA, RUSSIAN SILVER MARKS FOR 1908-1917 with curved blade (old pitting) cut with a narrow double fuller along the back on each side to the doubleedged point, gilt hilt of characteristic form decorated overall with lines and rows of beadwork between narrow nielloed bands, the beaked pommel set on both sides with a mask within a nielloed wreath, and retaining most of its gilding, 76.5 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN8 The hilt of this shasqua is decorated with silver-gilt filigree and granules; a closely similar hilt is illustrated by Rivkin, dated by him to the early 20th century from Western Georgia, probably made in Zugdidi or Kutaisi (Vadim Zverev collection; Rivkin 2015, pp. 111, 115, fig. 45). This proposed stylistic dating is confirmed by the Russian silver marks for 1908-1917.
£800-1,200 27 A LARGE CAUCASIAN KINDJAL IN FINE CONDITION, SIGNED MUHAMMED [BIN?] HUSSAIN, 19TH CENTURY the broad tapering blade of watered steel (minor rust patination and staining) with off-set fuller over most of its length on both sides to the point of flattened diamond section, one side gold-damascened with two cartouches, one bearing the maker’s name and the other enclosing a flower-head, the remainder decorated overall with flowering foliage and arabesques between two panels densely gold-damascened en suite along one side of the fuller, and with a line of scrolls bordering the other, waisted dark horn grip-scales retained by three transverse rivets, two each with domed and fluted golddamascened head, in its scabbard covered in black leather seamed with wire along the inside and with slender suspension mount gold-damascened with flower-heads and arabesques, and steel button-shaped terminal, 44.3 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN2
27
Several elements of the gold decoration on this blade appear on a kindjal in the Wallace Collection, although the present blade is more richly decorated (inv. no. OA2324, Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 313). Muhammad Hussain does not appear to be recorded elsewhere. However Muhammad bin Hussain is known as the maker of a magnificent shasqa dating from the late 19th century (Ivanov 1976, pls 101 and 102, p.207).
£1,200-1,800
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28 AN OTTOMAN SILVER-GILT TRAVELLING CUTLERY SET OR TROUSSE, 19TH CENTURY, ALMOST CERTAINLY TURKEY comprising a knife and fork, the former with single-edged blade cut with a very narrow fuller along the back on both sides, the forte with shaped mount engraved with foliage against finely stippled grounds, grip of circular section rising to an ‘eared’ pommel, and engraved with borders of interlaced flower-heads around the ears and along the flattened top and bottom, the latter with three tines on a swelling neck, and with grip en suite with the knife, in their wood-lined scabbard decorated en suite, locket mount, chape and suspension loop all cast and chased with flower-heads and foliage, and retaining nearly all its gilding, 18.0 cm blade, 30.0 cm overall Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 107C The hilts of the knife and fork are modelled with ‘ears’ in the manner of a yataghan. The floral decoration on the scabbard and handles of the knife and fork suggests a 19th century dating.
£2,000-3,000
28
28
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29 AN OTTOMAN SILVER-MOUNTED TRAVELLING CUTLERY SET OR TROUSSE, 19TH CENTURY, BALKAN OR TURKEY comprising a knife and fork, the former with tapering singleedged blade (some old pitting) incised along the back on both sides with small ‘crow’s feet’ marks, some retaining the silver inlay, silver hilt nielloed with flower-heads on the basal mount and with running berries on the grip-strap, and rounded ‘eared’ ivory grips secured by three transverse rivets, the latter with two tines on a turned neck pierced with a diamond between two dots, and with grip en suite with the knife, in their leather-covered wooden scabbard with deep silver locket and chape embossed and chased along both sides with flowering foliage between borders of diaper pattern, the former with a band of simulated plaiting between borders of beadwork and linked trefoils, and foliated suspension loop with ring, the latter with bud-shaped terminal, 18.0 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 169C Exhibited Splendour Des Armes Orientales, Acte-Expo: Galerie ART, Paris, 4 May 31 July 1988, pp. 43 and 165, no. 57 Literature David Sulzberger, Islamic Military Heritage: Nine Centuries of Islamic Arms and Armour, Riyadh 1991, p. 31, no. 141 Both knife and fork have ‘eared’ handles in the manner of a yataghan. A trousse in the Wallace Collection with two knives, both with ivory handles, has a silver scabbard with niello decoration and a Greek inscription with the date 1729 (inv. no. OA1968, Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 422). The repoussé silver fittings on the scabbard of this set date it later than the Wallace Collection trousse. A similar knife is in the same collection (inv. no. OA1975, ibid p. 393). The absence of a tughra mark on the silver scabbard suggests it was made outside the influence of the assayers in Istanbul (although their control was not absolute). Ivory registration: 49APM5MK.
£1,500-2,000
29
29
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30 A CAUCASIAN SILVER-GILT AND NIELLOED WAISTBELT AND SUSPENSION STRAPS, UNMARKED, LATE 19TH CENTURY of buff leather carrying numerous interlocking mounts each embossed and chased in relief on the outside with symmetrical foliage, hinged side-straps and hooks all mounted en suite, and in fine condition retaining nearly all its gilding, 38.0 cm long Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN1 Almost certainly intended for suspending a kindjal.
£400-600 31 A CAUCASIAN RIDING CROP WITH NIELLOED SILVER MOUNTS, DATED 1360 AH CORRESPONDING TO 1941 AD comprising a wooden handle of circular section covered in woven brocade spirally bound with a chased nielloed band, the top and bottom mount nielloed with flower-heads and scrolling foliage against wriggle work grounds, the former nielloed in cursive script ‘Souvenir of Muhammad Hasan’ along one side and ‘Work of Ismail Ghazi’ along the other, plaited leather lash, and silver wrist-chain, 43.3 cm long Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN4 See the note for lot 32. The craftsman Ismail Ghazi is not recorded.
£350-450 32 A CAUCASIAN SILVER-MOUNTED RIDING CROP, 19TH CENTURY comprising a dark horn handle of octagonal section bound with six silver bands, the larger central band carrying a riveted long silver plate along both sides, one side securing a leather loop for the missing lash, chased silver finial between twisted wire borders, and incised with a mask on the top, knop-shaped terminal chased with foliage en suite, and suspension ring for a wrist thong, 32.0 cm long 32
Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, 94C The whip (nagajka/nagaika) used by the Cossacks is characterised by a short handle of round cross-section. Other examples are in the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg: Miller 2000, pp. 125, 142, 213.
£300-400 31
30
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33
33 A VERY RARE MUGHAL IVORY PRIMING-FLASK, 17TH CENTURY formed in two parts secured together by pins and carved respectively with a medial band of crenelations and ropework, the forward section forming the nozzle (minor chips, tap missing) and carved in low relief with a double-headed antelope beset by a tiger-head above and with a wolf-head between wild dog’s heads beneath, the rear section carved on both sides with a tiger attacking an antelope, the tapering terminal carved with an antelope leaping from the jaws of an elephant and a tiger, 14.5 cm long Provenance By repute the Honnens de Lichtenberg family Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 156C This priming flask comes from a group, all in ivory, richly varied in decoration and size, with a spring mechanism for closing the pouring aperture (Clais 2021 outlines the group). These are characterised by a three-stage decorative programme, as here, with one end comprising multiple animal heads and having the pouring aperture, a centre section with animals carved in relief, often in combat, and the terminal with further animals sometimes terminating in a leaping antelope. The longest measure over 30 cms (Bargello, no. Bg M 1202; Clais 2021, p. 125, cat. no. 49, measures 32 cms), while this example is one of the shortest, being slightly smaller than a primer in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. CIRC.597-1923; Skelton et al 1982, p. 136, cat. no. 441; Clais 2021, p. 106, cat. no. 1, which is 16 cm long). Dating of the group to the 17th century is based on documentary evidence. A priming flask was recorded in the Bargello in Florence in 1679 (Bargello, no. Bg M 1202; Clais 2021, pp. 102 and 125, cat. no. 49). Another, now in the National Museum of Denmark, was first registered in the Royal inventories in 1690 (inv. no. EDb64; DamMikkelsen and Lundbaek 1980, pp. 111-112; Clais 2021, pp. 103 and 114, cat. no. 12). Two flasks in Dresden first appear in an inventory of 1732, not in 1658 as claimed elsewhere (Clais 2021, p. 103: see Skelton et al 1982, p. 135, no. 439 for the earlier dating now dismissed by Clais). Another in the Danish Royal collection appears in an inventory of 1737 (inv. no. EDb62; DamMikkelsen and Lundbaek 1980, pp. 111 and 112). This lot is offered with UK Ivory Act 2018 certificate number 741BLYS3.
£8,000-12,000
31
34
34 A RARE RAJPUT PRIMING-FLASK IN THE FORM OF A LEAPING ANTELOPE, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY formed in two pieces secured by pins and carved with a medial band of trefoils, carved in the round as a male antelope with pierced forelegs and horns, the head carved with a bridle (rear hooves chipped, two sender age cracks), and sprung copper alloy tap with suspension loop, 22.8 cm long Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 157C This priming flask comes from a separate tradition to lot 33 being probably made in Rajasthan in the late 17th or early 18th century, rather than at the Mughal Court (Elgood 2025, pp. 240-241). This group is characterised by the form of a single leaping antelope, the hind legs extended, with a spring mechanism mounted on its back. None of these flasks have the multiple animals seen on the previous type (156C). Other examples of the group are in the Cincinnati Art Museum (inv. no. 1978.226, Smart and Walker 1985, pp. 82-83, no. 59); the Furusiyya Collection (inv. no. R-717, Mohamed 2008, pp. 286-7) and the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum in Jaipur, with polychrome decoration (inv no. MJM3.751, Elgood 2015, pp. 240-241, no. 173). This lot is offered with UK Ivory Act 2018 certificate number P2B9KYAH.
£5,000-8,000
32
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35 AN UNUSUAL PERSIAN AMULET CASE OR SHOT FLASK, QAJAR, 19TH CENTURY of finely watered wootz steel, of tubular form with rounded ends, one end forming a lid hinged against an internal spring and with hooked thumb-catch, the top long rectangular mount finely pierced with arabesques between four hinged suspension loops each pierced with a trefoil between scrolls, 13.5 cm long Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 61C This cylindrical object can be designated as an amulet case. Alternatively it could be a shot flask judging from the sprung domed cover, although it is unusual not to have a sprung cover at both ends (Allan and Gilmore 2000, pp. 172-4, nos A.19 and A. 20 and fig. 23).
£1,500-2,500 36 THREE SMALL OTTOMAN ARCHER’S RINGS, 15TH/17TH CENTURY each of characteristic beaked form, the first of silver with chased decoration; the second of silver and with similar decoration; the last of bronze and chased with guilloche, length: 2.0 cm to 3.0 cm (3) Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 111C For examples related to the first two see Mohamed 2008, p. 395, figs. 375 and 376. A number of Ottoman metal archer’s rings have been published. A silver archer’s ring, dating to the late 15th century, was found near Ramu Fortress, Serbia (Milovanovic 1981, p. 20, no. 10). Plain archer’s rings in the British Museum (inv. nos As.9924-As.9931) include a copper alloy example, given by Caspar Purdon Clarke in 1876. See also a group of copper alloy rings probably date from the late 17th century (Vienna 1983, p. 201, no. 16/103). 35
36
33
£1,200-1,800
37 AN OTTOMAN BAZU BAND, TURKEY, 17TH CENTURY OR PERHAPS EARLIER of steel, shaped to the forearm and fared out at the cuff, the outer surface incised in wiggle work lines with stylised flowers including tulips and carnations, the upper part with three central flutes and fluted border, the two wrist-plates en suite and attached by later S-shaped links (old rust patination), 33.5 cm long Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 200C This bazu band (armguard) may have formed part of the Türkenbeute taken after the second Siege of Vienna in 1683. The Türkische Cammer of the Margave Ludwig Wilhelm von Baden-Baden (1655-1707) includes a bazu band which also has a triple fluting, a double-wrist guard and engraved decoration (with gilding which is now absent from this example). The Baden-Baden bazu band appears in inventories for 1691 and 1721, forming part of the Turkish booty, and is now in the Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe (inv. no. D 14; Petrasch et al 1991, pp. 91-92, no. 26). For another example of this rare early type see Bonhams Knightsbridge, Fine Antique Arms and Armour, 27 November 2003, lot 53.
£3,000-5,000
37
reverse
34
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38 A VERY FINE PERSIAN BAZU BAND, 18TH/19TH CENTURY of finely watered wootz steel, comprising a main plate shaped to the fore-arm and delicately chiselled in bas-relief with cartouches formed from arabesques at the elbow and above the wrist, linked to each other and flanked by narrow raised lines, and fluted wrist with embossed oval above, wrist-guard chiselled en suite and hinged on eighteen silver hinges (one broken), the main edges gold-damascened repeated interlinked flower-heads and leaf fronds, mitten for the left hand of finely wrought rivetted and butted rings, retaining its plum velvet linings (some old damage, push worn inside the arm and wrist plates), and hinged rectangular mounts and buckle for straps, 53.0 cm long Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 75C Another bazu band or vambrace (also for the left arm) with cut-steel decoration is in the Wallace Collection (inv. no. OA 1470, Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 271). It is rare to retain the mail gauntlet which here is for the left hand as is usual in surviving Persian bazu bands (Richardson and Turner 2026, pp. 284-5.) For a wider discussion of a group of vambraces, see Elwell-Sutton 1979, pp. 5-19. The use of rivetted as well as butted mail rings suggests that this bazu band could date from the late 18th century.
£3,000-4,000
38
35
39 AN INDIAN SILVERED AND GILT DASTANA, PERHAPS RAJASTHAN, LATE 18TH/ EARLY 19TH CENTURY of silvered steel, comprising main plate shaped to the fore-arm and with an embossed gilt oval at the wrist, a gilt cartouche above lightly engraved with flowering foliage against a finely pricked ground and linked by a slender line to a further cartouche decorated en suite at the elbow, hinged wrist-guard secured by a staple and decorated with two linked cartouches en suite, the lower one inhabited by a pair of birds, the main edges reinforced by gilt crenelated borders, and with applied gilt ridges at the wrist (interior with some old surface rust, mitten missing), 32.5 cm long Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 69C Dastana (arm defences) are known with variations in form and decoration which have not been securely classified into discrete groups. On this example, the raised rib and the flange around the wrist are distinctive. A related pair with these characteristics is in the Wallace Collection, dated to the early 19th century from Rajasthan or Lahore (inv. no. OA 1841/OA 1842; Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 155). The decoration on this example however suggests Rajasthan as its place of manufacture.
£2,000-3,000
39
36
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40
40 A RARE INDIAN LACQUERED HIDE DHAL, 19TH CENTURY, PROBABLY RAJPUT of untanned rhinoceros hide and circular convex form, the outer surface lacquered in low relief in silver and polychrome with ferns and foliage in rocky landscapes, the latter against grounds of crushed abalone shell in Japanese aogai technique, all against a blackened lacquered ground (characteristic old crazing and minor chips) and set with four domed copper alloy bosses each with petalled border, the interior lacquered with stylised rock formations en suite, and with green velvet-covered pad with a ring at each corner for enarmes (replaced), 42.0 cm diameter Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 67C A particularly close comparison to this shield, now in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. 3321) was catalogued by Egerton as from Bikaner, see Egerton 1981, p. 112, no. 448, https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O450186/shield-unknown/ (accessed 1 July 2026) Another example of this rare type displaying Japanese influence is in the Royal Collection, presented to Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, by the Nawab of Tonk, when he visited India in 1875-1876 (RCIN 11348; Meghani 2017, pp. 170-171). Others also in the Royal Collection are illustrated in Clarke 1892, pp. 2-3, Case B, no. 34; and Clarke 1910, pp. 6-8, Group E, no. 68, and pp. 40-41, Ball Room Corridor, Group T, no. 551. For another see Missillier and Ricketts 1988, pp. 40-41 and 201, no. 240, where it is noted that a shield of this group was presented to Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, and is now preserved at Kedleston Hall. The taxonomy of Indian shields is not yet fully described, and centres of production are not agreed. It is possible that this example comes from a Hindu centre.
£3,000-4,000
37
41
41 A PERSIAN SIPAR (SHIELD) DEDICATED TO SULTAN ABD AL-MALIK AL-MARWAN, QAJAR, DATED [1]319 AH CORRESPONDING TO 1901-1902 AD of steel and circular convex form with riveted gilt outer border, the outer surface with four domed steel bosses each chiselled with four flower-heads within gold-damascened borders and set between four etched and gilt cartouches of symmetrical foliage centred on etched and gilt dated inscription in nasta’liq arranged as a roundel, reading ‘Sultan ‘Abd al-Malik al-Marwan 319’, all encircled by a border of linked gold-damascened cartouches containing alternately chiselled Persian verses and lions attacking prey, a falconer and bowmen on horseback, all against a ground of foliage inhabited by hunting hounds and animals including hares, lions, wild boar, antelope and birds, and between slender borders of interlaced running flowering foliage, the interior retaining its quilted fabric liner (distressed) and arm pad, the latter with a ring at each corner for enarmes (missing), 40.5 cm diameter Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 66C The inscription in the centre of the shield is in the name of the Umayyad caliph ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (d. 705) and is clearly anachronistic. The inscriptions around the border are verses from Firdawsi’s Shahnamah, describing the story of Rustam and Isfandiyar. Although the verses are garbled, they can be identified as the moment at which Rustam shoots Isfandiyar in the eye, as he had been instructed to do by the Simurgh. Other shields with historicising inscriptions, mentioning historical figures but made in the 19th century were used for processions. Many bear the names of Safavid shahs of Iran who had been dead for over 200 years (For examples in the Wallace Collection, see Richardson and Turner 2026, pp. 290-293). The reigns of Fath’ali Shah (1797-1834) and Nasir al-Din Shah (1848-96) also saw a fashion for ancestral themes of Sasanian and early Islamic imagery and decoration (Scarce 2006).
£2,000-2,500
38
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42
42 A RARE PERSIAN BUCKLER, SHIELD BOSS OR DOOR FITTING, PROBABLY LATE 13TH/EARLY 14TH CENTURY of copper alloy and in excavated condition, of stepped circular form centred on a flat-topped dome, the outer border cast and chased with running vine leaves, the stepped border chased with three panels of stylised script against a ground of foliage and between three circular panels each containing a circular arrangement of seven spheres, the dome chased with borders of slipped quatrefoils, guilloche and lozenges, 15.3 cm diameter Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 145C This circular fitting comes from a group with an uncertain designation. A.S. Melikian-Chirvani has proposed that they were either bucklers, used for combat practise, or covers for vessels or cymbals (Melikian-Chirvani 1979). More recent research has thrown doubt on these designations, on the grounds of materials and examination of surviving examples, proposing instead that they are door-bosses (Spink 2022, pp. 307-313). The objects fall into two groups defined by their manufacturing technique of cast or beaten repoussé copper alloy. Most of the cast pieces were made in the 12th/13th century in eastern Iran and often inlaid with silver and copper, having legible benedictory inscriptions in cursive Arabic. Other cast examples have stylised, often illegible, inscriptions and date from the late 13th to early 14th century, after the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. The beaten group includes pieces made between the 12th and 14th centuries. This roundel falls into the cast group made in the late 13th to early 14th century, with an illegible inscription. There is an extended discussion on the whole group in Spink 2022, pp. 307-313, with the closest comparison to this piece on p. 312, cat. 224, also dated to the late 13th/early 14th century.
£1,500-2,000
39
43
43 AN OTTOMAN OR MAMLUK SHOULDER GUARD, 15TH/16TH CENTURY of steel and shaped to the back of the neck and shoulders, the embossed triangular panel at the back of the neck incised with a symmetrical design of interlaced arabesques, the top of each shoulder en suite and above two rectangular panels on both sides chased respectively with interlaced cartouches and ovoidal panels containing inscriptions including Qur’an, surah 85 (al-Burj), verses 20-22, and ‘God is my Master (?), I put my (trust?) [in him]’, all against a finely pricked ground, the main edges pierced for the attachment of mail (some old pitting and areas of damage), 35.0 cm wide Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 21C Exhibited The High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Military Heritage, Nine centuries of Islamic arms and armour, 1991 This component was part of an armour originally comprising plates joined by mail links and was probably placed above a backplate, protecting the shoulders and back of the neck. Comparison with surviving Ottoman and Mamluk armours reveals that fewer examples of the shoulder-guard component remain than arm and leg guards. A relatively complete Ottoman armour dating from the 16th century is in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, (inv. no. C85, Alexander 2015, p. 41, fig. 20). The dense decoration of this shoulder-guard is similar to that on another in the Khalili Collection, decorated with inscriptions, floral scrolls and tulips with ribbon borders, also with an embossed triangular panel, dated to the 16th century (inv. no. MTW 1043; Alexander 1992, pp. 86, 218, 221, cat. no. 39). This decoration contrasts with a later Ottoman shoulder guard in the Metropolitan Museum of Art without ribbon borders and loose floral decoration (inv. no. 36.25.345, dating from the 16th or 17th century; Alexander 2015 pp. 40-42, cat. no. 11).
£4,000-6,000
40
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44 AN OTTOMAN SHAFFRON, POSSIBLY TURKEY, 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY formed from a single piece of bright steel (some old pitting overall), boxed-in and pierced with a pair of holes over each side of the muzzle, widening over the forehead and with a narrow flange around the eyes, embossed with a T-shape between oblique lozenge shapes at the top and running down the nose, the top of the T pierced with two rectangular slots, blunt pate extension, and the edges pierced with small holes for a lining, 49.0 cm long Provenance Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 178C The identifying characteristics of this shaffron are the cut-away curved sides of the muzzle and the ‘T’ shaped embossed relief decoration in the centre. These appear on an otherwise plain shaffron made for the Ottoman grand vizier Murad Pasha (1520-1611), now in the Louvre, which provides the basis for dating the shaffron to the late 16th or early 17th century (inv. no. MAO 1223, Makariou 2002, pp. 135-7, no. 81). Comparison between this shaffron and with a similar shaffron in the Metropolitan Museum (possibly made for a camel) shows that the drilled holes on the curved sides of the muzzle and at the top were originally filled with brass-topped rivets, and the two rectangular slots at the top of the ‘T’ originally secured a perpendicular cusped sheet of steel. (inv. no. 36.25.508, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31874 accessed 8 July 2026) A group of similar pieces includes another shaffron in the Metropolitan Museum which has more complex decoration based on the same principal motifs (inv. no. 21.102.4, Alexander 2015, pp. 132-133, no. 40). This is close to a piece in the Museo Stibbert, Florence (inv. no. 6708, Civita 2014, p. 120, no. 19). A significant group is in the Askeri Museum, Istanbul, and another example is published in Hales 2013, p. 331, fig. 799. For two very similar examples see Bonhams Knightsbridge, 25 November 2015, lot 44.
£4,000-6,000
44
41
45 A VERY RARE INDIAN 50 BORE MATCH-LOCK PISTOL IN THE FORM OF A TORADAR, 18TH CENTURY, PROBABLY JAIPUR with tapering two-stage barrel with rounded bands at the muzzle and forward of the breech, the latter retaining traces of gold overlay, and retained by a central band of leather thongs, the flared muzzle chiselled with repeated palmettes retaining traces gold overlay, block-shaped back-sight and chiselled pan (pivoting cover missing), figured three-quarter stock (old spilt and damage at the ramrod-entry), ebony block behind the breech incised with double lines, grooved along the top for sighting and pierced to accommodate the match-holder with quatrefoil piercings, line engraved steel mounts comprising plates on both sides, along the bottom and around the rear of the butt bordered by rows of small piercings and dots, trigger with star-shaped piercings, ebony butt-plate, curved tubular match-holder, sling loop, and later ramrod with turned horn tip, 15.7 cm barrel Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 59C A related small matchlock, described as a child’s toy matchlock, is in the City Palace Museum, Jaipur (inv. no. NB6.2302). See Elgood 2015, pp.148-149 and 151, fig. 103.
£2,000-3,000
reverse
42
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46 A RARE ETRUSCAN OR EARLY ROMAN HANDLE, PROBABLY FOR A KNIFE, 9TH TO 1ST CENTURY BC OR LATER in excavated condition, of copper alloy cast and chased in the round as the top half of a man wearing a toga with his right arm across his chest, the left arm formed as a blunt projection, and retaining the remains of its iron blade (partly fragmentary), 11.5 cm Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 147C
£1,200-1,800 47 A VERY RARE VISIGOTHIC BELT BUCKLE, CIRCA 550-600, PROBABLY SOUTHERN FRENCH OR SPANISH in excavated condition, of copper alloy and rectangular form, the front set with a symmetrical arrangement of red coloured glass or garnets centred on an oval originally set with a cabochon, probably lapis lazuli, the four corners each with remains of a cabochon bead, probably of lapis lazuli or mother-of-pearl, and retaining its clasp, the prong set with a concentrically turned circular piece of red glass of garnet; together with a small copper alloy nail, the buckle 8.0 cm wide x 6.5 cm high (3) Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 146C A related buckle is preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc. no. 1988.305a, b), attributed to ancient Septimania in southwest Gaul. Other examples are preserved in the Musée de la Société Archélogique and the Museu Arqueològic, Barcelona.
£7,000-9,000
46
47
43
48 A FINE ITALIAN TWO-HAND SWORD, FIRST HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY with broad tapering double-edged blade of flattened hexagonal section over half its length to the point, forte with shallow central double fuller along both sides struck with a pair of small saltire marks, slightly tapering rectangular ricasso fullered over both sides above a pair of sharply-pointed flukes, russet iron hilt comprising large faceted side-ring on each side cut centrally with repeated chevrons between pairs of turns and enclosing a beaked fluted ecusson, long straight faceted quillons widening towards the tips and cut with chevrons en suite with the side-rings, expertly restored leather-covered wooden grip (some loss of finish and worming) of swelling octagonal section tooled and gilt with pairs of vertical lines and rows of stars along both sides and around the top and bottom, and chevroned stopper-shaped pommel of octagonal section, 133.2 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 33C A series of related swords, some of which are associated with the Council of Ten, are preserved in the Armoury of the Doge’s Palace, Venice. See Franzoi 1990 pp. 30-31 (cat. nos. 228, 234 and 237).
£6,000-8,000
48
44
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49 A VERY RARE EAST EUROPEAN KARABELLA DATED 1655, HUNGARIAN OR POLISH the curved blade (some areas of old pitting) with double shallow fuller over each side to the double-edged point, the forte over both sides etched with the standing male figure armed with a sword and wearing a turban, standing on a pedestal between foliage and above the date, the figure on one side surmounted by ‘SOLINE GLORIA’, russet hilt retaining some of its gilding and comprising cross-guard chiselled in low relief with fruiting foliage along both sides of the quillons and slender langets, beaked pommel-cap chiselled en suite on the top, and leather-covered grip bound with silver wire, in its leather-covered wooden scabbard seamed along the inside and with russet iron locket, chape and suspension mounts en suite with the hilt, the latter each with two rings for suspension, 70.0 cm blade Provenance Elliott and Snowdon, London, 1974 A Private Collection from 1975 Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 127C The use of chiselled and gilt iron is notably unusual, perhaps unique, on a sword of this type.
£7,000-10,000
49
45
50 AN EXTREMELY RARE EAST EUROPEAN HORSEMAN’S BROADSWORD, 17TH OR EARLY 18TH CENTURY, HUNGARIAN OR POLISH with slightly tapering double-edged blade (minor edge nicks and some old patination) of flattened hexagonal section, the forte on one side inlaid in latten (some losses) with a cross potent in a circle, gilt-copper hilt comprising recurved knuckle-guard and down bent rear quillon of flattened diamond section and each widening at the ‘fish-tail’ terminal, slender langets of triangular section, the upper ones extending into the grip and with a thumb-ring en suite on the inner side, flat ovoidal pommel engraved with foliage, and grip formed in imitation of wire binding, in its wooden scabbard covered in plum velvet (plush worn and minor old damage) with deep locket, chape and suspension mount all engraved with scrolling foliage over both sides and inhabited respectively by an ostrich-like bird with a serpent in its beak, a parrot and a griffin, a fantastical cockerel and an eagle, a squirrel between a bird in flight and a leaping lion, a further bird and lion, and a unicorn, two fluted brackets for suspension rings (one missing), and retaining much of its gilding (some old wear), 86.5 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 41C This form of hilt is classified by Norman as type 5, dated from circa 1430 to the end of the 16th century. Its adoption on the present sword suggests revival in the earlier taste, reinforced by the broad blade and the grip which emulates those of earlier estocs.
£10,000-15,000
50
46
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51 A CONTINENTAL WHITE-METAL MOUNTED HUNTING HANGER, 19TH CENTURY with bright single-edged blade double-edged at the clipped-back point, hilt comprising guard with small side-shell, robust quillons each with rounded terminal, plain pommel-cap, and natural staghorn grip, in its black leather scabbard (some loss of finish) seamed along the inside and with pocket for the by-knife en suite with the hanger, the blade polished bright, and plain locket and chape, the former with suspension ring on each side, 38.0 cm blade Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN6
£400-600 52 AN UNUSUAL FRENCH SOCKET BAYONET WITH ETCHED, BLUED AND GILT BLADE, LATE 18TH CENTURY of bright steel, with tapering blade of hollowed triangular section etched and gilt against a blued ground along one side with a figure of Justice between rocailles and foliage and surmounted by scrolls inscribed ‘A LA’ and ‘IOSTECE’ , and along the other with a basket of flowers between symmetrical scrolls, and tubular socket with securing ring, 32.5 cm overall Provenance Sold in this room, 5 December 2018, lot 157 Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 95C This bayonet survives in notably fine condition.
£400-600
51
52
47
48
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53
53 AN EXTREMELY RARE ITALIAN ARMET FROM THE MISSAGLIA WORKSHOP, MILAN, MID-LATE 15TH CENTURY with rounded one-piece skull with low keel-shaped comb pierced centrally with a hole for a crest, struck at the rear of the skull on the right with the Missaglia workshops mark, the letters ‘MY’ beneath a crown and extending downwards at the nape as a medial strip of flattened triangular section, fitted at the front with a reinforce flanged across the brow, beaked visor (lifting peg replaced) recessed and forming a narrow vision slit, hinged on both sides (left hinge and visor terminal with riveted repair) and secured to pivot mounts by locking pins (pivots and pivot hasps replaced), large hinged cheek-pieces held together by a push-stud at the chin (the left cheek-piece associated, probably reworked from a contemporary armet), turned and flanged lower edge pierced with small holes, and with later rondel (some old pitting and minor lamination), 26.0 cm high Provenance Luigi Marzoli (1883-1965), Palazzolo sul’ Oglio, Brescia, Italy Geoffrey P. Jenkinson (1929-2015), Guernsey Reginald Thomas ‘Peter’ Gwynn (1905-2001), Dame Annis Barn, Epsom, Surrey Ronald Alfred Lee (1913-2000) & Reginald Thomas Gwynn, circa 1980 Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 177C The mark is that associated with the workshop of Antonio Missaglia and his brothers from 1452 until at least the end of the 15th century. A related armet struck with the same mark is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc. no. 29.158.51). The Missaglia family were Milan’s leading armourers of the 15th century who gained international repute at an early date. Their founder was probably Tommaso dei Negroni da Ello, called Missaglia, first recorded around 1430 living in the parish of Santa Maria Beltrade in Milan. In 1445 he made an armour for Lionello d’ Este, Marquis of Ferrara and Modena, that was presented to the Bishop of Liège, and also supplied armour to the Dukes of Gonzaga in Mantua. When the celebrated condottieri Francesco Sforza (1401-66) became Duke of Milan in 1450 he appointed Tommaso and his son court armourers. In subsequent years there was a close relationship between the Missaglia and the Sforza dukes, Tomasso often gave the Duke financial support and his success is evident in his will, recording estates and possessions in the Duchy of Milan, Central Italy, France, Naples and Spain. The production of the Missaglia workshops was considerable and was very well established by 1492 when the Venetian ambassadors, Girogio Contarini and Paolo Pisani, mission to Emperor Frederick III passed through Milan. reverse They visited the house of Antonio Missaglia: ‘the ambassadors then went to see the house of an armourer called Antonio Missaglia, a rich man, who continually employs many men at great expense, who make suits of armour in his house. All over his house are suits of armour of every kind to the value of many thousand ducats. He furnishes almost every one with these arms.’ A sallet struck with the earlier marks of Tommaso Missaglia, formerly in the collection of Joe Kindig Jr., was sold in this room, 28th June 2023, lot 282. See Boccia 1982, p. 290; Boccia & Coelho 1967 p. 139; Trapp 1929, p. 58 and Gamber in Thomas 1977 pp. 990-4; Laking vol. I, 1920, pp. Xl and Beverley 1999.
£60,000-80,000
49
53
50
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reverse
54 A RARE AND UNUSUALLY COMPLETE LIGHT CAVALRY OFFICER’S CUIRASS IN EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION, FRENCH OR ITALIAN, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY the breast-plate of blued steel with low medial ridge drawn-out to a vestigial point above the flared skirt, the main edges including at the neck and arms turned, roped and punched with dots each centred on a small circle between dome-headed gilt-copper lining rivets, decorated with gilt bands down the front, around the neck and arms with punched decoration en suite, the blued back-plate shaped to the back and matching the breast-plate, both retaining their buff-leather lining and green silk and bullion trim (old wear), waist-strap (some old damage and losses) with blued buckle and shoulder-straps en suite, the latter each reinforced with rectangular plates secured by pairs of dome-headed gilt-copper rivets and with gilt-edged blued steel two-position clasp engaging with a double-headed swivel on the breast-plate, and in fine condition retaining most of their blued and gilt finish, 39.0 cm high (2) Provenance Peter Ineichen Auction, Zurich, 8th May 1979, lot 296 Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 62C A related cuirass is illustrated in an anonymous French portrait of an officer of circa 1690-1720 formerly in the Mende Collection and now preserved in the Louvre.
£7,000-10,000
51
54
52
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55
55 AN IMPERIAL RUSSIAN GREATCOAT, AND A COSSACK COAT AND SHIRT, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY the first double-breasted and of dark green woollen cloth with slender red cloth trim around each cuff and black velvet collar, the interior at the shoulders and arms lined in cream silk, and retaining five of the original twelve gilt buttons each bearing the Imperial arms (shoulder-boards missing); the second of dark blue woollen cloth lined around the shoulders in plum-coloured silk, the chest on both sides fitted for nine ornamental cartridges (missing), knotted silk buttons and eye and hook fasteners; the last of dark blue cotton and with similar fastenings (3) Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN10
£400-600
53
56
56 A VERY RARE FRENCH 54 BORE WHEEL-LOCK LONG HOLSTER PISTOL, ALSACE OR LORRAINE, EARLY 17TH CENTURY with long tapering two-stage barrel with raised moulding at the muzzle, the upper three flats of the breech cut with longitudinal recesses each with incised line, the central flat struck at the rear with unidentified barrelsmith’s mark, interlinked crescents above a star in a shield, recessed turn behind and long tang extending down the back of the butt, flat lock (filed off, cock and other parts detached) with shell-shaped wheel-retaining bracket with spirally fluted tail, fruitwood full stock profusely inlaid with engraved white horn and mother-of-pear plaques (replacements) originally heightened with polychrome pigment and including hares, animals and birds, and with a winged cherub’s head on the side flat, on a ground of copper alloy leafy tendrils involving mother-ofpearl ball-flowers and all between slender copper alloy double lines, faceted pommel en suite (one mother-of-pearl plaque an old replacement), iron mounts comprising flat scroll side-plate (lock retaining screws missing), pointed iron trigger-plate and tapering trigger-guard (retaining screw, ramrod-pipe and ramrod missing), and white horn fore-end cap (old wear and rust patination overall), 61.0 cm barrel (qty) Provenance Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 144C For another example, formerly in the Hever Castle Collection and stocked in this distinctive fashion, see Christie’s London, Fine Antique Arms And Armour Including The Collection of Dr. Robert Amalric, 24 May 2006, lot 143. A pair of pistols attributed to Sedan and stocked in a similar fashion are in the former Imperial Collection in Gatchina Arsenal, St. Petersburg. Offered with the major parts of a wheel-lock mechanism.
£8,000-12,000
reverse
parts
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See page iii for Buyer’s Premium and other charges
57 A FINE AND RARE FRENCH 15 BORE FLINTLOCK SILVER-GILT MOUNTED WILDFOWLING GUN OF PRESENTATION QUALITY BY BOUTET A VERSAILLES, EARLY 19TH CENTURY with very long tapering barrel sown with gold stars on a matted blued ground over most of its length between the muzzle and breech, the former with a pair of engraved gold Ottoman tassels suspended between triangular panels of foliage linked by a swag of circles, and silver fore-sight centred on a large engraved gold explosion, the latter decorated in chased gold with acanthus against a ground of stars, a web, a plumed Turkish turban on a neo-classical swag and surmounted by flowering foliage and a pair of pineapples, a large quiver of arrows against a pair of Ottoman tassels each suspended from a crossed polearm with crescent head, a star on a sceptre flanked by cornucopia of foliage and branches of oak, and a large pineapple surmounted by a flaming smoking urn, border engraved gold-covered tang engraved with a line of trefoils against a matted ground, blued flat bevelled lock signed along the bottom edge and enriched with encrusted chased gold foliage on the tail, a swag of oak leaves and fruit beneath the pan, foliage on the cock including a crescent and starburst on the top jaw, and with an exploding cannon ball above a feathered crescent on the front of the steel, blued steel-spring with roller, and gold-lined pan with scrolled fence, figured full stock with chequered grip and fore-end, the latter carved with a repeated husk pattern along the upper edge over its entire length along both sides, butt carved in low relief with foliage against finely pricked grounds behind the barrel tang, bordering the rear of the grip and forward of the tang of the butt-plate, and with a flower-head on each side of the butt joined to each other by a stalk, ebony trigger-guard terminal finely carved in relief with a pierced scroll and fruiting foliage, silver-gilt mounts cast and chased in low relief with martial trophies mostly within ribboned borders of flower-heads and comprising side-nail plates, butt-plate, trigger-guard with foliated urn-shaped finial and rear ramrod-pipe terminal with a quiver of arrows, turn barrel-shaped ramrodpipes, silver barrel-bolt escutcheons, blued trigger, steel sling mounts, original ramrod with horn-capped gilt tip and threaded reversable iron worm, and in fine condition retaining nearly all its blued and gilt finish, 142.0 cm barrel, 184.0 cm overall Provenance Sotheby’s New York, 13th January 1992, lot 156 Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 57C A closely related gold-mounted gun, from the Royal House of Orléans, by the same maker was sold in this room 26 June 2024, lot 244, (£475,000 including premium). Guns of this quality, with this specific iconography, were almost certainly intended for presentation to the Algerian Dey. French-Algerian relations were highly charged during this period, originating in part from the French failure to pay their agents in Algeria for wheat. The tensions came to a head around 1827 when the French Consul reportedly insulted the Hussain Dey who in turn struck him with a fly whisk. The Fly Whisk Incident was used by the French as grounds for their military assault, not least as they were concerned that the English were prepared to seize Algiers. French rule in Algeria followed in 1830. Nicholas Noel Boutet (1761-1833) is credited with being the principal innovator of the dramatic change in the design and decoration of French firearms that took place from the Revolution of 1789 through to Napoleon’s reign as Emperor (1804-14). Boutet was named directeur-artiste of the newly formed Versailles Arms Manufactory in 1792. The Versailles factory was the principal producer of regulation weapons for the French armies, additionally Boutet was charged with creating richly decorated arms for presentation to military heroes and foreign heads of state. reverse
£20,000-30,000 END OF SALE
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ABSENTEE BID FORM OLYMPIA AUCTIONS FINE ANTIQUE ARMS AND ARMOUR FROM THE PHILIPPE MISSILLIER COLLECTION DATE: 9TH SEPTEMBER 2026
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Auction Calendar: Autumn/Winter 2026 The London Sale Live Sale: Wednesday 16th September Viewing: Sunday 13th September, Monday 14th September, Tuesday 15th September
Modern & Contemporary African and Middle Eastern Art Live sale: Wednesday 11th November Viewing: Sunday 8th November, Monday 9th November, Tuesday 10th November
Jewellery & Watches Live sale: Thursday 17th September Viewing: Sunday 13th September, Monday 14th September, Tuesday 15th September
European Works of Art, Objects and Silver Live sale: Wednesday 18th November Viewing: Sunday 15th November, Monday 16th November, Tuesday 17th November
Olympia Timed: The Autumn Sale Ends: Sunday 27th September, 16.00 Viewing: Sunday 20th September, Monday 21st September, Tuesday 22nd September
Olympia Timed: Paintings, Works on Paper and Sculpture Ends: Sunday 11th October, 15.00 Viewing: Sunday 4th October, Monday 5th October, Tuesday 6th October
Olympia Timed: From the Studio: Works from Artists’ Estates Ends: Sunday 11th October, 14.00 Viewing: Sunday 4th October, Monday 5th October, Tuesday 6th October
Jewellery & Watches Live sale: Thursday 19th November Viewing: Sunday 15th November, Monday 16th November, Tuesday 17th November
Indian, Islamic, Himalayan and South-East Asian Art Live sale: Wednesday 25th November Viewing: Sunday 22nd November, Monday 23rd November, Tuesday 24th November
Antique Arms, Armour and Militaria Live sale: Day One: Wednesday 2nd December Day Two: Thursday 3rd December Viewing: Sunday 29th November, Monday 30th November, Tuesday 1st December
Olympia Timed: Pip Rau Collection Part II Ends: Sunday 1st November, 16.00 Viewing: Sunday 25th October, Monday 26th October, Tuesday 27th October
Chinese & Japanese Works of Art Live sale: Wednesday 4th November Viewing: Sunday 1st November, Monday 2nd November, Tuesday 3rd November
Olympia Timed: Antique Ams, Armour and Militaria Ends: Sunday 6th December, 16.00 Viewing: Sunday 29th November, Monday 30th November, Tuesday 1st December
Fine Paintings, Works on Paper and Sculpture Live sale: Wednesday 9th December Viewing: Sunday 6th December, Monday 7th December, Tuesday 8th December
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