Splendour: The Philippe Missillier Collection of Islamic & Indian Arms and Armour

A Miquelet Lock Gun, Ottoman Empire, 18th Century

Restricted SpeciesUK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Auction Closed

April 29, 12:32 PM GMT

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

the cylindrical watered steel sighted barrel moulded and inlaid with gold in simple arabesque motifs, part of the breech octagonal, maker’s mark possibly reading ‘work of ‘Ali Khayri’ (‘amal-i ‘ali khayri), flintlock mechanism with undeciphered maker’s mark, four silver barrel bands, set on wooden full stock fully covered with tortoiseshell plaques, trigger area inlaid with mother-of-pearl and khatamkari, swelling faceted butt, partially covered with silver, each silver component stamped with ‘sahh’ and tughra of Osman III (r.1754-57) assay marks, with ivory butt-plate, green dyed ivory fore-end cap, button trigger, two suspension loops

137cm.

This lot contains tortoiseshell and elephant ivory, which is an endangered species. Sotheby’s recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid, as lots containing endangered species may be subject to import restrictions in certain countries or necessitate licenses and certificates for export from some and import into others. The possession of an export license or certificate does not guarantee obtaining its counterpart elsewhere. Buyers must ascertain and adhere to all applicable regulatory requirements regarding the import and export of such items before bidding, securing all necessary licenses and certificates at their expense. The inability to export or import these items, or their seizure by a government agency, does not justify delaying payment or cancelling a sale.

Philippe Missillier Collection no.151C

Ottoman guns with ivory-covered butt-plate and stocks are considered by some to have been carried by the imperial palace guard, although David Alexander notes that assertion cannot be corroborated (David G. Alexander, Islamic Arms and Armor in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2015, p.259). The gun in the Metropolitan Museum, mentioned in the discussion for lot 27 in this catalogue, is in that group and has ivory plaques covering the wooden stock, with additional inlay and decoration including brass studding (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inv. no.32.75.270; Alexander 2015, p.258-260). The gun in this lot does not have the studding and inlay but is richly decorated with tortoiseshell. Another gun with an ivory-covered butt-plate was exhibited in Paris in 1988 (Splendeur des Armes Orientales, p.39, no.44).