9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
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).
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).
Auction: Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection, 9th Sep, 2026
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.
Viewing
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 6th September June: 12pm - 4pm
Monday 7th September: 10am - 7pm (Drinks 6-7pm)
Tuesday 8th September: 10am - 5pm
CONTACT:
For further information please contact us | armsandarmour@olympiaauctions.com | + 44 (0) 20 7806 5541
