Shinto tanto EDO period (1603 - 1868), 19th century Signed (mei): Bunsei ninnen hachigatsu hi [eighth month of the second year of Bunsei (1819)] Masahide Blade (sugata): hira zukuri, iori mune Forging pattern (hada): masame Temper (hamon): suguha Point (boshi): eboshi Spindle (nakago): ubu keitai, haagari nakagojiri, un mekugi ana, sujikai yasurime Length (nagasa): 21.3 cm Mount (koshira-e) in aikuchi: Fuchi kashira kojiri tsuka: in iron suite with dragons among clouds Kogai: in shibuichi inlaid with gilded copper of chopsticks and fabrics on nanako background Scabbard (saya): in black lacquered whalebone. Provenance : sale Bakhmeteff Collection, Mes Lair-Dubreuil et Bellier, Drouot, 16-18 January 1929 58

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.