9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
24
A PERSIAN SHASQA, QAJAR, 19TH CENTURY
with curved blade (some old pitting) fullered along the back over most of its length on both sides to the point with false double-edge, the forte on one side with a rectangular panel chiselled in thuluth 'There is no power and no might but almighty God's power and light' surmounted by a bird amid foliage in a cartouche, and on the other with a cartouche chiselled in thuluth 'Oh (God) the All-Providing', a circular cartouche above containing a lion, probably referring to the lion of God, Ali, and dark horn grip-scales each characteristically beaked at the pommel and retained by three transverse steel pins, 79.5 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN7
Sold for £900
with curved blade (some old pitting) fullered along the back over most of its length on both sides to the point with false double-edge, the forte on one side with a rectangular panel chiselled in thuluth 'There is no power and no might but almighty God's power and light' surmounted by a bird amid foliage in a cartouche, and on the other with a cartouche chiselled in thuluth 'Oh (God) the All-Providing', a circular cartouche above containing a lion, probably referring to the lion of God, Ali, and dark horn grip-scales each characteristically beaked at the pommel and retained by three transverse steel pins, 79.5 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN7
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
