The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Arms and Armour from Asia, Africa and the Ottoman Empire

A beautifully illustrated catalogue of a world-class collection of arms and armour from India and the Middle East. Brimming with bejewelled and enamelled 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 extensive view of three key areas – the Indian subcontinent, Iran and the Ottoman Empire – and span the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with star objects dating from as early as the fifteenth century. At once functional weapons and prestigious luxury objects, items 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 experts 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 Marquis of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace.