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