9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
54
A RARE AND UNUSUALLY COMPLETE LIGHT CAVALRY OFFICER’S CUIRASS IN EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION
FRENCH OR ITALIAN, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY
the breast-plate of blued steel with low medial ridge drawn-out to a vestigial point above the flared skirt, the main edges including at the neck and arms turned, roped and punched with dots each centred on a small circle between dome-headed gilt-copper lining rivets, decorated with gilt bands down the front, around the neck and arms with punched decoration en suite, the blued back-plate shaped to the back and matching the breast-plate, both retaining their buff-leather lining and green silk and bullion trim (old wear), waist-strap (some old damage and losses) with blued buckle and shoulder-straps en suite, the latter each reinforced with rectangular plates secured by pairs of dome-headed gilt-copper rivets and with gilt-edged blued steel two-position clasp engaging with a double-headed swivel on the breast-plate, and in fine condition retaining most of their blued and gilt finish, 39.0 cm high (2)
Provenance
Peter Ineichen Auction, Zurich, 8th May 1979, lot 296
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 62C
A related cuirass is illustrated in an anonymous French portrait of an officer of circa 1690-1720 formerly in the Mende Collection and now preserved in the Louvre.
Sold for £10,000
FRENCH OR ITALIAN, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY
the breast-plate of blued steel with low medial ridge drawn-out to a vestigial point above the flared skirt, the main edges including at the neck and arms turned, roped and punched with dots each centred on a small circle between dome-headed gilt-copper lining rivets, decorated with gilt bands down the front, around the neck and arms with punched decoration en suite, the blued back-plate shaped to the back and matching the breast-plate, both retaining their buff-leather lining and green silk and bullion trim (old wear), waist-strap (some old damage and losses) with blued buckle and shoulder-straps en suite, the latter each reinforced with rectangular plates secured by pairs of dome-headed gilt-copper rivets and with gilt-edged blued steel two-position clasp engaging with a double-headed swivel on the breast-plate, and in fine condition retaining most of their blued and gilt finish, 39.0 cm high (2)
Provenance
Peter Ineichen Auction, Zurich, 8th May 1979, lot 296
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 62C
A related cuirass is illustrated in an anonymous French portrait of an officer of circa 1690-1720 formerly in the Mende Collection and now preserved in the Louvre.
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
