AN EARLY VICTORIAN SILVER AND MICROMOSAIC SNUFF BOX THE MICROMOSAIC PANEL ATTRIBUTED TO GIACOMO RAFFAELLI (1753-1836) the silver box of serpentine outline with a Rococo thumbpiece and engraved with scrolls and panels of differing machined decoration, the hinged lid with a circular micromosaic panel depicting the Doves of Pliny, with a bead outer border, the base with an inscription 'To S. Mc Culloch Esqr from Elizabeth Brown', the gilt lined interior with Birmingham hallmarks for 1851 and makers mark for Edward Smith the box 9.8cm wide, 8.1cm deep the mosaic panel 7cm diameter Provenance By family repute the Middlemore Baronets and by descent.

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.