A beautifully illustrated catalogue of a world-class collection of arms and armour from India and the Middle East.The Wallace Collection is home to one of the finest collections of non-European arms and armour in the world, teeming with bejewelled and enamelled dagger hilts, swords and scabbards, and with delicately gilded spears, helmets, shields and breastplates.The pieces within the collection provide an unusually comprehensive view of three key areas - India, 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 lavishly illustrated catalogue is a landmark contribution to the field of Islamic art, shining a light on the previously overlooked and hidden gems of the Wallace Collection and providing detailed photographs of almost every object, accompanied by descriptions of its provenance, the materials of its construction and how it was made.

Published in collaboration with the Wallace Collection, famous worldwide for its collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and arms and armour.

Director's ForewordEditor's NoteAcknowledgementsIntroductionThe Provenance of 'Oriental' Arms and Armour in the Wallace Collection, by Suzanne HiggottCATALOGUE- Carved Hardstones- Gems- Enamel- Ivory, Horn & Bone- Gold- Silver & Brass- Firearms & Archery- ArmourRecurring InscriptionsTable of ConcordanceBibliographyIndex