9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
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 leather-covered 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.
Sold for £3,000
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 leather-covered 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.
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
