9th Sep, 2026 11:00
Fine Antique Arms and Armour from the Philippe Missillier Collection
7
A RARE EARLY INDIAN CHILANUM, 16TH CENTURY
of russet iron, with waisted tapering leaf-shaped blade of slightly hollowed flattened diamond section, the hilt of curved X-form with swelling grip of diamond section, and decorated overall with gold-damascening and some incised scrollwork, the latter on the quillon and pommel terminals, 34.6 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 50C
The straight blade has a characteristic waisted form. A similar blade in the Victoria and Albert Museum (which has a variant hilt with straight arms) is erroneously called Nepalese by Egerton (inv. no. 3048 (IS); Egerton 1981, pl. IX, no. 344, p.102, no. 344).
of russet iron, with waisted tapering leaf-shaped blade of slightly hollowed flattened diamond section, the hilt of curved X-form with swelling grip of diamond section, and decorated overall with gold-damascening and some incised scrollwork, the latter on the quillon and pommel terminals, 34.6 cm blade
Provenance
Philippe Missillier Collection, no. 50C
The straight blade has a characteristic waisted form. A similar blade in the Victoria and Albert Museum (which has a variant hilt with straight arms) is erroneously called Nepalese by Egerton (inv. no. 3048 (IS); Egerton 1981, pl. IX, no. 344, p.102, no. 344).
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
