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