James Coignard (1925 Tours - 2008 Antibes) "Profile imaginaire". Original title Bronze, dark brown patina; marble base. Signed and numbered 96/99; foundry mark "VENTURI ARTE BOLOGNA" and publisher's stamp "ARTES". Slightly convex, high-oval relief between figuration and abstraction, depicting an owl under a full moon in a highly stylized manner. Coignard was a ceramist, sculptor and graphic artist who was particularly interested in the carborundum technique, influenced by Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Marc Chagall and the École de Paris. Overall h. 39.5 cm. Dark brown patinated bronze on marble base. Signed and numbered 96/99. Foundry stamp "VENTURI ARTE BOLOGNA" and stamp "ARTES" by the editor.

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.