Part of a silver menagère, the spatula violonée, the shell button, engraved with the coat of arms of the Maupassant family under a count's crown and underlined with the motto "J'espère". It includes: - Twenty-three large forks (two: Paris, 1771, probably Nicolas GONTHIER (received Master in 1768) seven: Paris, 1819-1838, fourteen: Minerve) ; - Twelve large spoons (three : Paris, 1771, probably Nicolas GONTHIER (received Master in 1768), nine : Paris, 1819-1838) ; - Nine dessert spoons (Paris, 1819-1838); - Thirty-four large knives, the handle in filled silver, the steel blade signed ODIOT for the most part (hallmark: Minerve, a broken blade, some unshod). Engraved with the same arms, nine forks and a dessert spoon of a different model. Net weight : 4290,3 g - Gross weight : 3216,3 g - Total gross weight : 7506,4 g

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.