9th Sep, 2026 11:00

Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection

 
Lot 27
 


Lot 27 - A LARGE CAUCASIAN KINDJAL IN FINE CONDITION, SIGNED MUHAMMED [BIN?] HUSSAIN, 19TH CENTURY
Click for high resolution

27

A LARGE CAUCASIAN KINDJAL IN FINE CONDITION, SIGNED MUHAMMED [BIN?] HUSSAIN, 19TH CENTURY

the broad tapering blade of watered steel (minor rust patination and staining) with off-set fuller over most of its length on both sides to the point of flattened diamond section, one side gold-damascened with two cartouches, one bearing the maker’s name and the other enclosing a flower-head, the remainder decorated overall with flowering foliage and arabesques between two panels densely gold-damascened en suite along one side of the fuller, and with a line of scrolls bordering the other, waisted dark horn grip-scales retained by three transverse rivets, two each with domed and fluted gold-damascened head, in its scabbard covered in black leather seamed with wire along the inside and with slender suspension mount gold-damascened with flower-heads and arabesques, and steel button-shaped terminal, 44.3 cm blade

Provenance

Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN2

Several elements of the gold decoration on this blade appear on a kindjal in the Wallace Collection, although the present blade is more richly decorated (inv. no. OA2324, Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 313). Muhammad Hussain does not appear to be recorded elsewhere. However Muhammad bin Hussain is known as the maker of a magnificent shasqa dating from the late 19th century (Ivanov 1976, pls 101 and 102, p.207).

Sold for £2,800


 

the broad tapering blade of watered steel (minor rust patination and staining) with off-set fuller over most of its length on both sides to the point of flattened diamond section, one side gold-damascened with two cartouches, one bearing the maker’s name and the other enclosing a flower-head, the remainder decorated overall with flowering foliage and arabesques between two panels densely gold-damascened en suite along one side of the fuller, and with a line of scrolls bordering the other, waisted dark horn grip-scales retained by three transverse rivets, two each with domed and fluted gold-damascened head, in its scabbard covered in black leather seamed with wire along the inside and with slender suspension mount gold-damascened with flower-heads and arabesques, and steel button-shaped terminal, 44.3 cm blade

Provenance

Philippe Missillier Collection, no. ADTN2

Several elements of the gold decoration on this blade appear on a kindjal in the Wallace Collection, although the present blade is more richly decorated (inv. no. OA2324, Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 313). Muhammad Hussain does not appear to be recorded elsewhere. However Muhammad bin Hussain is known as the maker of a magnificent shasqa dating from the late 19th century (Ivanov 1976, pls 101 and 102, p.207).

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

View all lots in this sale