JEWELRY BOX by TAHAN (19th century) Speckled mahogany and mother of pearl inlays Red velvet interior with removable tray with four compartments Signed Tahan R(ue) de la Paix 8,5 x 22 x 15 cm Small accidents and old restorations Son of a "tablettier (creator of these refined boxes and small luxury furniture), Jean-Pierre-Alexandre TAHAN (1813-1892) develops the paternal house in Paris until becoming supplier of the emperor Napoleon III and the empress Eugénie. In 1849, he moved to rue de la paix and won a silver medal at the Universal Exhibition in London. He won a gold medal in Paris in 1867.

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.