Basket sword, Schiavona Italy circa 1700, without game, firmly seated basket hilt of florally engraved banded iron with a fig-shaped pommel cut on the obverse side with a figural medallion. The rest of the pommel surface is florally engraved en suite with the guard elements. A bulbous, copper wire-wrapped hilt with two line-decorated brass ferrules, probably added in the 18th century. Double-edged blade (L 86 cm), fullered on both sides up to 14 cm in front of the point, with a center point and a more corroded point area. Old rubbed, unplastered condition. L 102.5 cm.

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.