Resource Spotlight | “The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Arms and Armour from Asia, Africa and the Ottoman World”
The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Arms and Armour from Asia, Africa and the Ottoman World
Foreword | Xavier Bray
Preface | Thom Richardson
Introduction | Thom Richardson and Paula Turner
Published by Philip Wilson Publishers.
A beautifully illustrated catalogue of a world-class collection of arms and armour from Asia, Africa and the Ottoman world.
Brimming with bejeweled and enameled dagger hilts, swords and scabbards, and with delicately gilded spears, helmets, shields and breastplates, the Wallace Collection is home to one of the finest assemblages of arms and armour in the world.
The pieces within the collection provide an expansive view of three key areas – Asia, Africa and the Ottoman world – and span the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, with star objects dating from as early as the 15th century. Being both functional weapons and prestigious luxury items, objects in this area of the collection are fascinating and awe-inspiring both for their technical achievements and artistic virtuosity.
This richly illustrated catalogue, compiled by leading specialists in the field, is a landmark achievement and shines a light on a previously overlooked part of the Wallace Collection. It provides detailed photographs of almost every object, each accompanied by a description of its provenance, materials, inscriptions and construction. Also included is an introduction to the subject and a history of the collecting of non-European arms and armour by the 4th Marquess of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace.
Selected works from The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Arms and Armour from Asia, Africa and the Ottoman World
Arm Guard (bazuband)
Ustad Hassan
Iran
19th century
Iron or steel, velvet and copper
OA1514
© The Wallace Collection
Short Sword (yatağan) with Scabbard
Ustad Ahmed
Montenegro or Kosovo
1820/21
Steel, walrus ivory, silver-gilt, gold Scabbard: wood, silver-gilt, embossed and chased
OA2069
© The Wallace Collection
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