9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
32
A CAUCASIAN SILVER-MOUNTED RIDING CROP, 19TH CENTURY
comprising a dark horn handle of octagonal section bound with six silver bands, the larger central band carrying a riveted long silver plate along both sides, one side securing a leather loop for the missing lash, chased silver finial between twisted wire borders, and incised with a mask on the top, knop-shaped terminal chased with foliage en suite, and suspension ring for a wrist thong, 32.0 cm long
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, 94C
The whip (nagajka/nagaika) used by the Cossacks is characterised by a short handle of round cross-section. Other examples are in the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg: Miller 2000, pp. 125, 142, 213.
comprising a dark horn handle of octagonal section bound with six silver bands, the larger central band carrying a riveted long silver plate along both sides, one side securing a leather loop for the missing lash, chased silver finial between twisted wire borders, and incised with a mask on the top, knop-shaped terminal chased with foliage en suite, and suspension ring for a wrist thong, 32.0 cm long
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, 94C
The whip (nagajka/nagaika) used by the Cossacks is characterised by a short handle of round cross-section. Other examples are in the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg: Miller 2000, pp. 125, 142, 213.
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
