9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
34
◉ A RARE RAJPUT PRIMING-FLASK IN THE FORM OF A LEAPING ANTELOPE, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY
formed in two pieces secured by pins and carved with a medial band of trefoils, carved in the round as a male antelope with pierced forelegs and horns, the head carved with a bridle (rear hooves chipped, two sender age cracks), and sprung copper alloy tap with suspension loop, 22.8 cm long
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 157C
This priming flask comes from a separate tradition to lot 33, being probably made in Rajasthan in the late 17th or early 18th century, rather than at the Mughal Court (Elgood 2025, pp. 240-241). This group is characterised by the form of a single leaping antelope, the hind legs extended, with a spring mechanism mounted on its back. None of these flasks have the multiple animals seen on the previous type (156C).
Other examples of the group are in the Cincinnati Art Museum (inv. no. 1978.226; Smart and Walker 1985, pp. 82-83, no. 59); the Furusiyya Collection (inv. no. R-717, Mohamed 2008, pp. 286-7) and the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum in Jaipur, with polychrome decoration (inv no. MJM3.751, Elgood 2015, pp. 240-241, no. 173).
This lot is offered with UK Ivory Act 2018 certificate number P2B9KYAH.
formed in two pieces secured by pins and carved with a medial band of trefoils, carved in the round as a male antelope with pierced forelegs and horns, the head carved with a bridle (rear hooves chipped, two sender age cracks), and sprung copper alloy tap with suspension loop, 22.8 cm long
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 157C
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
