9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
37
AN OTTOMAN BAZU BAND, TURKEY, 17TH CENTURY OR PERHAPS EARLIER
of steel, shaped to the forearm and fared out at the cuff, the outer surface incised in wiggle work lines with stylised flowers including tulips and carnations, the upper part with three central flutes and fluted border, the two wrist-plates en suite and attached by later S-shaped links (old rust patination), 33.5 cm long
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 200C
This bazu band (armguard) may have formed part of the Türkenbeute taken after the second Siege of Vienna in 1683. The Türkische Cammer of the Margave Ludwig Wilhelm von Baden-Baden (1655-1707) includes a bazu band which also has a triple fluting, a double-wrist guard and engraved decoration (with gilding which is now absent from this example). The Baden-Baden bazu band appears in inventories for 1691 and 1721, forming part of the Turkish booty, and is now in the Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe (inv. no. D 14; Petrasch et al 1991, pp. 91-92, no. 26).
For another example of this rare early type see Bonhams Knightsbridge, Fine Antique Arms and Armour, 27 November 2003, lot 53.
of steel, shaped to the forearm and fared out at the cuff, the outer surface incised in wiggle work lines with stylised flowers including tulips and carnations, the upper part with three central flutes and fluted border, the two wrist-plates en suite and attached by later S-shaped links (old rust patination), 33.5 cm long
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 200C
This bazu band (armguard) may have formed part of the Türkenbeute taken after the second Siege of Vienna in 1683. The Türkische Cammer of the Margave Ludwig Wilhelm von Baden-Baden (1655-1707) includes a bazu band which also has a triple fluting, a double-wrist guard and engraved decoration (with gilding which is now absent from this example). The Baden-Baden bazu band appears in inventories for 1691 and 1721, forming part of the Turkish booty, and is now in the Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe (inv. no. D 14; Petrasch et al 1991, pp. 91-92, no. 26).
For another example of this rare early type see Bonhams Knightsbridge, Fine Antique Arms and Armour, 27 November 2003, lot 53.
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
