9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
4
A NORTH INDIAN OR AFGHANI POULWAR, PROBABLY 17TH/19TH CENTURY
with curved finely watered wootz steel blade double-edged at the point in front of the shallow yelman, the forte (expertly rejoined in the past) incised along both sides with a calligraphic cartouche inscribed in thuluth ‘Victory is from God and the conquest is close’ between links and against a ground of scrolls, two rectangular panels of calligraphy (worn) along the back of the blade beyond, finely watered wootz steel hilt of characteristic form comprising pointed langets each with central rivet on a petalled copper alloy washer (one replaced in gold), down bent quillons each formed as a stylised makara-head, spirally-twist globular two-piece pommel surmounted by a button terminal carrying a silver tassel mount pierced with arabesques, and faceted swelling two-piece grip, 78.0 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 128C
The hilt of this sword (poulwar) has characteristic downturned quillons terminating in dragon heads, ultimately derived from Timurid models. The spherical pommel is unusual, normally being in the form of a hemispherical cup. Other swords with similar quillons are in the Moser Collection (Moser-Charlottenfels 1912, pl. XXII, no. 76), the Stibbert Museum, Florence (inv. no. 5976; Civita 2014, p. 95, 135, no. 67) and the Royal Armouries (inv. no. XXVIS.180; Richardson 2015, p. 100 and 102, dated there to the 18th century). For a poulwar with a hilt of similar form see Hales 2013, p. 374, fig. 933.
with curved finely watered wootz steel blade double-edged at the point in front of the shallow yelman, the forte (expertly rejoined in the past) incised along both sides with a calligraphic cartouche inscribed in thuluth ‘Victory is from God and the conquest is close’ between links and against a ground of scrolls, two rectangular panels of calligraphy (worn) along the back of the blade beyond, finely watered wootz steel hilt of characteristic form comprising pointed langets each with central rivet on a petalled copper alloy washer (one replaced in gold), down bent quillons each formed as a stylised makara-head, spirally-twist globular two-piece pommel surmounted by a button terminal carrying a silver tassel mount pierced with arabesques, and faceted swelling two-piece grip, 78.0 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 128C
The hilt of this sword (poulwar) has characteristic downturned quillons terminating in dragon heads, ultimately derived from Timurid models. The spherical pommel is unusual, normally being in the form of a hemispherical cup. Other swords with similar quillons are in the Moser Collection (Moser-Charlottenfels 1912, pl. XXII, no. 76), the Stibbert Museum, Florence (inv. no. 5976; Civita 2014, p. 95, 135, no. 67) and the Royal Armouries (inv. no. XXVIS.180; Richardson 2015, p. 100 and 102, dated there to the 18th century). For a poulwar with a hilt of similar form see Hales 2013, p. 374, fig. 933.
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
