A GERMAN KINGWOOD VENEERED BUREAU EN PENTE, 18th century with three-quarter gallery, the shaped quarter-veneered slope concealing a fitted interior, the base with frieze drawers, flanked by pedestal cupboards, on short cabriole legs, the whole trimmed with ormolu foliate mounts, apparently retaining its original locks, key etc. 112cm wide, 96cm high, 50cm deep (closed) Provenance: Sir Andrew Mitchell, British Ambassador to Berlin and personal friend of Frederick the Great, thence by family descent until acquired by the vendor

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.