A MAHOGANY TWIN PEDESTAL PARTNER'S DESK, following a design of Thomas Chippendale of 1740, the rectangular top with outset corners and three tooled leather writing panels, above a centre drawer, and pedestals enclosing short drawers and upright divisions overlaid with bellflower swags and lion masked uprights, on hairy paw feet. 81cm high, 131cm deep, 203cm wide *The original desk resides in the collection of Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire

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.