Ottoman ewer in silver, chased with a Baroque-inspired decoration of large bouquets abounding in palmettes on each side of the pear-shaped body. The neck is set with a ring of twisted decoration evoking a textile ribbon, framed by friezes of foliage and palmettes. Finely chiseled foliage (reminiscent of tombak ware from the period) decorates the body at the start of the pourer and handle. A frieze of cartouches on the base, surrounding the foot, evokes a flower. The handle, set in the center with a small cartouche in relief, curves at each end to form a delicate S shape. The sinuous pourer, engraved with leaves at each end, ends in a small circular spout. Turkey, circa 1800 Weight: 807.42 g H. 23.5 cm (lid missing)

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.