9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
43
AN OTTOMAN OR MAMLUK SHOULDER GUARD, 15TH/16TH CENTURY
of steel and shaped to the back of the neck and shoulders, the embossed triangular panel at the back of the neck incised with a symmetrical design of interlaced arabesques, the top of each shoulder en suite and above two rectangular panels on both sides chased respectively with interlaced cartouches and ovoidal panels containing inscriptions including Qur’an, surah 85 (al-Burj), verses 20-22, and ‘God is my Master (?), I put my (trust?) [in him]’, all against a finely pricked ground, the main edges pierced for the attachment of mail (some old pitting and areas of damage), 35.0 cm wide
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 21C
Exhibited
The High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Military Heritage, Nine centuries of Islamic arms and armour, 1991
This component was part of an armour originally comprising plates joined by mail links and was probably placed above a backplate, protecting the shoulders and back of the neck. Comparison with surviving Ottoman and Mamluk armours reveals that fewer examples of the shoulder-guard component remain than arm and leg guards. A relatively complete Ottoman armour dating from the 16th century is in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, (inv. no. C85, Alexander 2015, p. 41, fig. 20).
The dense decoration of this shoulder-guard is similar to that on another in the Khalili Collection, decorated with inscriptions, floral scrolls and tulips with ribbon borders, also with an embossed triangular panel, dated to the 16th century (inv. no. MTW 1043; Alexander 1992, pp. 86, 218, 221, cat. no. 39). This decoration contrasts with a later Ottoman shoulder guard in the Metropolitan Museum of Art without ribbon borders and loose floral decoration (inv. no. 36.25.345, dating from the 16th or 17th century; Alexander 2015 pp. 40-42, cat. no. 11).
of steel and shaped to the back of the neck and shoulders, the embossed triangular panel at the back of the neck incised with a symmetrical design of interlaced arabesques, the top of each shoulder en suite and above two rectangular panels on both sides chased respectively with interlaced cartouches and ovoidal panels containing inscriptions including Qur’an, surah 85 (al-Burj), verses 20-22, and ‘God is my Master (?), I put my (trust?) [in him]’, all against a finely pricked ground, the main edges pierced for the attachment of mail (some old pitting and areas of damage), 35.0 cm wide
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 21C
Exhibited
The High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Military Heritage, Nine centuries of Islamic arms and armour, 1991
This component was part of an armour originally comprising plates joined by mail links and was probably placed above a backplate, protecting the shoulders and back of the neck. Comparison with surviving Ottoman and Mamluk armours reveals that fewer examples of the shoulder-guard component remain than arm and leg guards. A relatively complete Ottoman armour dating from the 16th century is in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, (inv. no. C85, Alexander 2015, p. 41, fig. 20).
The dense decoration of this shoulder-guard is similar to that on another in the Khalili Collection, decorated with inscriptions, floral scrolls and tulips with ribbon borders, also with an embossed triangular panel, dated to the 16th century (inv. no. MTW 1043; Alexander 1992, pp. 86, 218, 221, cat. no. 39). This decoration contrasts with a later Ottoman shoulder guard in the Metropolitan Museum of Art without ribbon borders and loose floral decoration (inv. no. 36.25.345, dating from the 16th or 17th century; Alexander 2015 pp. 40-42, cat. no. 11).
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
