9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
25
A CAUCASIAN SWORD WITH NIELLOED SILVER MOUNTS, 19TH CENTURY
with earlier single-edged blade (minor old pitting) cut with a double fuller over most of its length on both sides, the lower fuller extending into the point with false double edge, and lightly etched with scrollwork along the cutting edge, the back of the blade on each side incised with a row of ‘eyelash’ marks, and the forte on both sides incised with double ‘eyelash’ marks and dots, hilt comprising quillon-block (old repairs on one side) with nielloed central boss on centred beaded borders and with button quillon terminals, grip of flattened oval section rising to a beaked pommel, and nielloed with foliage between bands and borders of beading, the pommel with two white-metal chains each carrying a disc, in its two-piece wooden scabbard (covering missing) with locket, chape and suspension mount all nielloed with designs of symmetrical foliage (locket with some loss of niello), and two suspension rings, 73.5 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN5
This shasqua has a distinctive curve of the hilt at the pommel, which can be compared to a piece in the State Hermitage, suggesting it may have been made in Tbilisi in Georgia. (inv. no. 3655, Miller 2000, pp. 96-97, no. 37). The straight blade is also less common than the usual curved blade.
Sold for £16,000
with earlier single-edged blade (minor old pitting) cut with a double fuller over most of its length on both sides, the lower fuller extending into the point with false double edge, and lightly etched with scrollwork along the cutting edge, the back of the blade on each side incised with a row of ‘eyelash’ marks, and the forte on both sides incised with double ‘eyelash’ marks and dots, hilt comprising quillon-block (old repairs on one side) with nielloed central boss on centred beaded borders and with button quillon terminals, grip of flattened oval section rising to a beaked pommel, and nielloed with foliage between bands and borders of beading, the pommel with two white-metal chains each carrying a disc, in its two-piece wooden scabbard (covering missing) with locket, chape and suspension mount all nielloed with designs of symmetrical foliage (locket with some loss of niello), and two suspension rings, 73.5 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN5
This shasqua has a distinctive curve of the hilt at the pommel, which can be compared to a piece in the State Hermitage, suggesting it may have been made in Tbilisi in Georgia. (inv. no. 3655, Miller 2000, pp. 96-97, no. 37). The straight blade is also less common than the usual curved blade.
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
