9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
26
A CAUCASIAN SHASQA, RUSSIAN SILVER MARKS FOR 1908-1917
with curved blade (old pitting) cut with a narrow double fuller along the back on each side to the double-edged point, gilt hilt of characteristic form decorated overall with lines and rows of beadwork between narrow nielloed bands, the beaked pommel set on both sides with a mask within a nielloed wreath, and retaining most of its gilding, 76.5 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN8
The hilt of this shasqua is decorated with silver-gilt filigree and granules; a closely similar hilt is illustrated by Rivkin, dated by him to the early 20th century from Western Georgia, probably made in Zugdidi or Kutaisi (Vadim Zverev collection; Rivkin 2015, pp. 111, 115, fig. 45). This proposed stylistic dating is confirmed by the Russian silver marks for 1908-1917.
Sold for £800
with curved blade (old pitting) cut with a narrow double fuller along the back on each side to the double-edged point, gilt hilt of characteristic form decorated overall with lines and rows of beadwork between narrow nielloed bands, the beaked pommel set on both sides with a mask within a nielloed wreath, and retaining most of its gilding, 76.5 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN8
The hilt of this shasqua is decorated with silver-gilt filigree and granules; a closely similar hilt is illustrated by Rivkin, dated by him to the early 20th century from Western Georgia, probably made in Zugdidi or Kutaisi (Vadim Zverev collection; Rivkin 2015, pp. 111, 115, fig. 45). This proposed stylistic dating is confirmed by the Russian silver marks for 1908-1917.
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
