A Chinese Brass Incense Basket of rounded rectangular form with a seal mark to the base. The pierced dome lid decorated with a sprays of engraved foliage to the centre. The sides engraved with celestial dragons writhing amidst scrolling cloud forms to one side and phoenix perched amongst flowers and foliage to the other, embellished with punchwork and fitted with a swing trap handle, 4'' (10 cm) high, 5'' x 3½'' (13 cm x 9 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.