9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
47
A VERY RARE VISIGOTHIC BELT BUCKLE, CIRCA 550-600, PROBABLY SOUTHERN FRENCH OR SPANISH
in excavated condition, of copper alloy and rectangular form, the front set with a symmetrical arrangement of red coloured glass or garnets centred on an oval originally set with a cabochon, probably lapis lazuli, the four corners each with remains of a cabochon bead, probably of lapis lazuli or mother-of-pearl, and retaining its clasp, the prong set with a concentrically turned circular piece of red glass of garnet; together with a small copper alloy nail, the buckle 8.0 cm wide X 6.5 cm high (3)
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 146C
A related buckle is preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc. no. 1988.305a, b), attributed to ancient Septimania in southwest Gaul. Other examples are preserved in the Musée de la Société Archélogique and the Museu Arqueològic, Barcelona.
in excavated condition, of copper alloy and rectangular form, the front set with a symmetrical arrangement of red coloured glass or garnets centred on an oval originally set with a cabochon, probably lapis lazuli, the four corners each with remains of a cabochon bead, probably of lapis lazuli or mother-of-pearl, and retaining its clasp, the prong set with a concentrically turned circular piece of red glass of garnet; together with a small copper alloy nail, the buckle 8.0 cm wide X 6.5 cm high (3)
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 146C
A related buckle is preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc. no. 1988.305a, b), attributed to ancient Septimania in southwest Gaul. Other examples are preserved in the Musée de la Société Archélogique and the Museu Arqueològic, Barcelona.
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
