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

An Exceptional Long Knife (Yataghan), Algeria, late 18th or early 19th Century

Restricted SpeciesUK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Auction Closed

April 29, 12:32 PM GMT

Estimate

30,000 - 50,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

the recurved steel blade with undeciphered ‘pomegranate’ maker’s mark, set in chased gilt metal hilt with occidental vegetal motifs fitted with two rhino horn grip plaques, the red velvet-covered wooden scabbard with two large gold mounts chased en-suite, with metal-thread strap

80.5cm.

This lot contains rhinoceros horn, 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.131C

The form of the hilt is particularly close to one now in the Wallace Collection, London (inv. no.OA2075), dated 1232 AH/1816-17 AD. That long knife is executed in ivory and silver-gilt, rather than the more prestigious rhino horn and gold seen in the present example. Another long knife in the same collection (inv. no.OA2068), like the present long knife, is fitted with a rhino horn hilt and gold scabbard mounts, and has a blade stamped ‘work of Mustafa’ (Niels Arthur Andersen, Gold and Coral. Presentation Arms from Algiers and Tunis, Copenhagen, 2014, pp.228-9).

Further long knives of this form include one presented to Georg Albrecht Koefoed on 18 August 1800 by the Dey of Algiers, as well as two in the British Royal Collection, one of which was presented to the monarch by the Algerian ambassador on 20 May 1819 (inv. nos.RCIN 62833 and 62923, Andersen 2014, pp.24-30 and 138-9).