The Affair of the Queen's Necklace, ca. 1784-1786 Folded fan, the double sheet of paper engraved and enhanced with gouache. Among branches of lilies in bloom held by lovers, the so-called Queen's necklace, made of diamonds, and suspended in medallions the miniature portraits of the main protagonists, the Count of Cagliostro and the Countess of La Motte, of this famous swindle affair of the end of the 18th century which implicated Queen Marie-Antoinette. The 6 verses on the reverse side recall in verse the imposture and the affair that tainted the image of Queen Marie Antoinette. Bone mount, without decoration. H.t. 27,7 cm - H.f. 13,1 cm (wear, cuts, restorations) In a box bearing under the lid the label of the house Rodien et Cie successeurs, former house Viginet. About 1870

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.