9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
48
A FINE ITALIAN TWO-HAND SWORD, FIRST HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY
with broad tapering double-edged blade of flattened hexagonal section over half its length to the point, forte with shallow central double fuller along both sides struck with a pair of small saltire marks, slightly tapering rectangular ricasso fullered over both sides above a pair of sharply-pointed flukes, russet iron hilt comprising large faceted side-ring on each side cut centrally with repeated chevrons between pairs of turns and enclosing a beaked fluted ecusson, long straight faceted quillons widening towards the tips and cut with chevrons en suite with the side-rings, expertly restored leather-covered wooden grip (some loss of finish and worming) of swelling octagonal section tooled and gilt with pairs of vertical lines and rows of stars along both sides and around the top and bottom, and chevroned stopper-shaped pommel of octagonal section, 133.2 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 33C
A series of related swords, some of which are associated with the Council of Ten, are preserved in the Armoury of the Doge's Palace, Venice. See Franzoi 1990, pp. 30-31 (cat. nos. 228, 234 and 237).
Sold for £35,000
with broad tapering double-edged blade of flattened hexagonal section over half its length to the point, forte with shallow central double fuller along both sides struck with a pair of small saltire marks, slightly tapering rectangular ricasso fullered over both sides above a pair of sharply-pointed flukes, russet iron hilt comprising large faceted side-ring on each side cut centrally with repeated chevrons between pairs of turns and enclosing a beaked fluted ecusson, long straight faceted quillons widening towards the tips and cut with chevrons en suite with the side-rings, expertly restored leather-covered wooden grip (some loss of finish and worming) of swelling octagonal section tooled and gilt with pairs of vertical lines and rows of stars along both sides and around the top and bottom, and chevroned stopper-shaped pommel of octagonal section, 133.2 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 33C
A series of related swords, some of which are associated with the Council of Ten, are preserved in the Armoury of the Doge's Palace, Venice. See Franzoi 1990, pp. 30-31 (cat. nos. 228, 234 and 237).
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
