CLAUDE FRANCOIS: A piece of petrified wood from Mauritius, given to Claude François during his stay in Mauritius in October 1973. The singer had brought back this 10,000-year-old gift and kept it preciously on the shelves of his bedroom in his Paris apartment. This Goethite stone (a hydrated iron oxide giving yellowish, orange and black colors) is known for its healing action in the ear, nose and throat areas. It can also soothe ENT symptoms and stimulate concentration in people with attention deficit disorders. It has the ability to strengthen the blood and improve the oxygenation process. Height: 13.5 cm. Diameter: 11 cm. When his son passed away, Chouffa recovered this gem, of which he spoke so often, and kept it by his bed for a long time.

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.