Sotheby’s Unveils Rare Islamic Arms and Armour Collection for Upcoming Auction
Sotheby’s is set to host an extraordinary auction showcasing remarkable pieces of art from the Islamic world on April 29 in London. This event will feature a stunning collection of 100 masterpieces that span over 500 years, making it a must-attend for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
The collection has been meticulously assembled by the late French collector Philippe Gilles René Missillier (1949-2022) over the course of more than 50 years. His passion for art led him to visit numerous museums and attend various auctions, where he cataloged and sourced each piece with great dedication. Notably, a significant portion of this collection was previously displayed at the “Splendeur des Armes Orientales” fair in Paris in 1988. This year, the collection will be showcased once again, offering an exclusive glimpse into its historical significance.
Among the impressive items being auctioned are several Iranian relics, including:
- A steel axe from the Safavid era
- A cuirass from the Qajar era
The steel axe features an intricately inlaid head, while the Qajar cuirass showcases a rich history and craftsmanship. Here are some of the notable pieces included in the auction:
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Qajar Cuirass, Persia (Late 18th or early 19th century)
Originally made of five steel plates connected by pairs of hinges, this cuirass has two front plates currently missing. Each plate is crafted from five sheets of steel, with the central sheet being of watered steel. The plates are adorned with a gold overlaid spiral grapevine motif that incorporates bird designs. Additionally, inscriptions from the Quran, including selections from surah 61 (al-Saff) and surah 48 (al-Fath), are featured throughout the piece. -
Rare Safavid Watered Steel Axe, Persia (Second quarter of the 17th century)
This stunning axe showcases a finely inlaid head decorated with rumi arabesques. The cheeks are elegantly outlined, and it is set on a later wooden haft complete with an ivory pommel cap, measuring 60.3 cm in total length. -
Aqqoyunlu Turban Helmet, The Saint Irene Arsenal (Eastern Anatolia or Northwest Persia, Late 15th Century)
This helmet features a cylindrical form that rises to a swollen band of vertical flutes tapering to a pointed apex. It includes eye indents and eight suspension loops for mail, with intricate engravings and silver overlays featuring inscriptions in a loose thuluth style against a spiral vine ground. The piece is marked with the Saint Irene arsenal mark above the right eye, measuring 33 cm. -
Rare Ottoman Wicker Shield (Kalkan), Turkey (17th century)
This domed circular shield is made of wicker and is mounted with a heavily corroded metal umbo at its center. It is wrapped in fine red and yellow silk, embellished with silver-thread designs featuring stylized foliate and geometric motifs, and inscribed with the word “God” four times along the border. The shield measures 58.5 cm. -
Four-Plate Cuirass (Chahar Ayina), Warwick Castle Collection (North India, 18th century)
This cuirass is composed of four convex steel plates, each adorned with a field of chiseled irises surrounded by a gold overlaid border. The front and back plates are equipped with six clasps, while the side plates feature four clasps. Each plate’s reverse is padded and lined with contemporary silver-thread silk embroidered with a repeating pattern of polychrome silk flowers, complete with Warwick Castle inventory tags.
Sotheby’s has a long-standing tradition of connecting collectors with exceptional works of art, dating back to its establishment in 1744. The auction house made history by becoming the first international auction house to expand from London to New York in 1955. It further distinguished itself by conducting sales in Hong Kong (1973), India (1992), France (2001), and China (2012), setting the standard for fine art auctions worldwide.
Today, Sotheby’s operates across ten different salesrooms, including major cities such as New York, London, Hong Kong, and Paris. The Sotheby’s Bid Now program allows art lovers from around the globe to participate in auctions live online and place bids from the comfort of their own homes.
In summary, the upcoming auction at Sotheby’s promises to be a landmark event for collectors and art enthusiasts, showcasing the beauty and history of Islamic art through a carefully curated collection. Don’t miss the chance to witness these incredible masterpieces and potentially add them to your collection.
