9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
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).
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).
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
