9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
49
A VERY RARE EAST EUROPEAN KARABELLA DATED 1655, HUNGARIAN OR POLISH
the curved blade (some areas of old pitting) with double shallow fuller over each side to the double-edged point, the forte over both sides etched with the standing male figure armed with a sword and wearing a turban, standing on a pedestal between foliage and above the date, the figure on one side surmounted by ‘SOLINE GLORIA’, russet hilt retaining some of its gilding and comprising cross-guard chiselled in low relief with fruiting foliage along both sides of the quillons and slender langets, beaked pommel-cap chiselled en suite on the top, and leather-covered grip bound with silver wire, in its leather-covered wooden scabbard seamed along the inside and with russet iron locket, chape and suspension mounts en suite with the hilt, the latter each with two rings for suspension, 70.0 cm blade
Provenance
Elliott and Snowdon, London, 1974
A Private Collection from 1975
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 127C
The use of chiselled and gilt iron is notably unusual, perhaps unique, on a sword of this type.
Sold for £40,000
the curved blade (some areas of old pitting) with double shallow fuller over each side to the double-edged point, the forte over both sides etched with the standing male figure armed with a sword and wearing a turban, standing on a pedestal between foliage and above the date, the figure on one side surmounted by ‘SOLINE GLORIA’, russet hilt retaining some of its gilding and comprising cross-guard chiselled in low relief with fruiting foliage along both sides of the quillons and slender langets, beaked pommel-cap chiselled en suite on the top, and leather-covered grip bound with silver wire, in its leather-covered wooden scabbard seamed along the inside and with russet iron locket, chape and suspension mounts en suite with the hilt, the latter each with two rings for suspension, 70.0 cm blade
Provenance
Elliott and Snowdon, London, 1974
A Private Collection from 1975
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 127C
The use of chiselled and gilt iron is notably unusual, perhaps unique, on a sword of this type.
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
