The next eight months will see an exceptional and encyclopaedic collection offered for sale, charting the development of arms and armour from the early medieval period up to the early modern age.

This is the extraordinary private armoury or Rüstkammer of the renowned Berlin sculptor, philanthropist and former construction mogul Karsten Kingbeil which is to be offered for sale in two parts.

Firstly, Pierre Bergé & associés will offer a grand range in Brussels in December 2011 with the second part offered in June 2012 by Hermann Historica oHG in Munich.

A short sword for the lion-hearted will draw collectors from far and wide

These dates provide a genuinely unique opportunity to purchase up to 600 objects of historical significance which have been collected over the course of 50 years with passion, commitment and scholarship: the result is a sensation.

The core of the collection is formed by 40 complete suits of armour dating from the 15th to the 17th centuries.

In addition there are 120 helmets spanning the same period, hafted weapons, swords, daggers, shields and luxurious antique firearms with inlaid fruitwood stocks: in total the collection spans back 13 centuries.

An impressive - and actually quite stylish - Pompeo suit of armour

The auction houses believe this to be the most important collection of antique arms and armour offered for sale at auction since the landmark Hever Castle auction at Sotheby's, London, in 1983.

Whilst a full catalogue is yet to be released, the items which have been open to view have paid tribute to the epic nature of the sale. We'll be covering the collection in some details over the coming months.

Check back here soon to see more.