9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
3
A RARE INDIAN SOSUN PATA WITH KHANDA HILT, 16TH/17TH CENTURY
THE BLADE POSSIBLY DECCAN, 16TH OR 17TH CENTURY, THE HILT PROBABLY 17TH CENTURY
with broad blade cut with a shallow fuller along the back over most of its length on both sides to the slightly curved bellied double-edged point, and with a narrow fuller along the back on both sides, the cutting-edge at the forte on both sides incised with a decorative panel with bird’s head terminal ahead of a chiselled hook-shaped feature, characteristic border engraved hilt covered in silver-gilt and comprising slightly hooked quillons each on a moulded collar, one pierced with a small hole, and shaped extension over each side of the forte with floret-shaped terminal secured by a rivet, waisted bent-up guard with integral triangular knuckle-guard bent-up to join the disc-shaped pommel and incised with sender vertical lines between cartouche-shaped panels, the latter with reeded stalk-like finial on a domed mount, and slender swelling grip now bound with twisted coloured cords (slightly loose, some old wear and rust patination overall), 73.5 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 38C
Although the sosun pata can be characterised by a heavy recurved blade, the hilt type can vary between the khanda and tulwar-type. On this example the blade is fitted with a khanda-type hilt with a knuckle-guard, a cup-shaped pommel and a long finial. The form may have a Deccani origin: Robert Elgood suggested that a similar blade in the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace, Jaipur, is from Bijapur and dates from the late 16th or early 17th century, fitted with a 17th century Rajput tulwar hilt. (inv.no MJM1.720; Elgood 2015, p.106, no. 74). The blade on this example may also date from the 16th or 17th century Deccan.
Further examples are in the Wallace Collection with one, OA 1879, being similarly hilted to this piece. (inv. nos OA 1891, OA1807, OA 2238 and OA 1879; Richardson and Turner 2026, pp. 24, 107, 108).
A related example formerly in the Roy Elvis Collection (C52) was sold in this room, 28 June 2023, lot 10.
Sold for £3,000
THE BLADE POSSIBLY DECCAN, 16TH OR 17TH CENTURY, THE HILT PROBABLY 17TH CENTURY
with broad blade cut with a shallow fuller along the back over most of its length on both sides to the slightly curved bellied double-edged point, and with a narrow fuller along the back on both sides, the cutting-edge at the forte on both sides incised with a decorative panel with bird’s head terminal ahead of a chiselled hook-shaped feature, characteristic border engraved hilt covered in silver-gilt and comprising slightly hooked quillons each on a moulded collar, one pierced with a small hole, and shaped extension over each side of the forte with floret-shaped terminal secured by a rivet, waisted bent-up guard with integral triangular knuckle-guard bent-up to join the disc-shaped pommel and incised with sender vertical lines between cartouche-shaped panels, the latter with reeded stalk-like finial on a domed mount, and slender swelling grip now bound with twisted coloured cords (slightly loose, some old wear and rust patination overall), 73.5 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 38C
Although the sosun pata can be characterised by a heavy recurved blade, the hilt type can vary between the khanda and tulwar-type. On this example the blade is fitted with a khanda-type hilt with a knuckle-guard, a cup-shaped pommel and a long finial. The form may have a Deccani origin: Robert Elgood suggested that a similar blade in the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace, Jaipur, is from Bijapur and dates from the late 16th or early 17th century, fitted with a 17th century Rajput tulwar hilt. (inv.no MJM1.720; Elgood 2015, p.106, no. 74). The blade on this example may also date from the 16th or 17th century Deccan.
Further examples are in the Wallace Collection with one, OA 1879, being similarly hilted to this piece. (inv. nos OA 1891, OA1807, OA 2238 and OA 1879; Richardson and Turner 2026, pp. 24, 107, 108).
A related example formerly in the Roy Elvis Collection (C52) was sold in this room, 28 June 2023, lot 10.
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
