Bottom of a yenyen vase in blue and white porcelain China, Kangxi period, 17th century Baluster, decorated with two dignitaries seated in front of a screen in a pavilion, surrounded by characters and children in the pavilion or the garden with banana trees; star-shaped cracks at the base and inside, small firing defect H. 24.4 cm Condition report: Several star cracks to the base; a star crack inside; a small star firing crack to the shoulder; slight surface scratches

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.