9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
38
A VERY FINE PERSIAN BAZU BAND, 18TH/19TH CENTURY
of finely watered wootz steel, comprising a main plate shaped to the fore-arm and delicately chiselled in bas-relief with cartouches formed from arabesques at the elbow and above the wrist, linked to each other and flanked by narrow raised lines, and fluted wrist with embossed oval above, wrist-guard chiselled en suite and hinged on eighteen silver hinges (one broken), the main edges gold-damascened repeated interlinked flower-heads and leaf fronds, mitten for the left hand of finely wrought rivetted and butted rings, retaining its plum velvet linings (some old damage, push worn inside the arm and wrist plates), and hinged rectangular mounts and buckle for straps, 53.0 cm long
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 75C
Another bazu band or vambrace (also for the left arm) with cut-steel decoration is in the Wallace Collection (inv. no. OA 1470, Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 271). It is rare to retain the mail gauntlet which here is for the left hand as is usual in surviving Persian bazu bands (Richardson and Turner 2026, pp. 284-5.) For a wider discussion of a group of vambraces, see Elwell-Sutton 1979, pp. 5-19. The use of rivetted as well as butted mail rings suggests that this bazu band could date from the late 18th century.
Sold for £7,000
of finely watered wootz steel, comprising a main plate shaped to the fore-arm and delicately chiselled in bas-relief with cartouches formed from arabesques at the elbow and above the wrist, linked to each other and flanked by narrow raised lines, and fluted wrist with embossed oval above, wrist-guard chiselled en suite and hinged on eighteen silver hinges (one broken), the main edges gold-damascened repeated interlinked flower-heads and leaf fronds, mitten for the left hand of finely wrought rivetted and butted rings, retaining its plum velvet linings (some old damage, push worn inside the arm and wrist plates), and hinged rectangular mounts and buckle for straps, 53.0 cm long
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 75C
Another bazu band or vambrace (also for the left arm) with cut-steel decoration is in the Wallace Collection (inv. no. OA 1470, Richardson and Turner 2026, p. 271). It is rare to retain the mail gauntlet which here is for the left hand as is usual in surviving Persian bazu bands (Richardson and Turner 2026, pp. 284-5.) For a wider discussion of a group of vambraces, see Elwell-Sutton 1979, pp. 5-19. The use of rivetted as well as butted mail rings suggests that this bazu band could date from the late 18th century.
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
