Miniature of the Imperial Russian Navy warship "Novgorod", circular hull with copper-plated bottom and fitted with six brass propellers, black-painted rudder, basswood veneered decks, cockpits, ventilators, funnels and other details. Rouf with rounded front is fitted with a pair of cannons, wooden bases and wood and acrylic case. 20th century Size of display case: H. 18 cm W. 22 cm D. 17 cm The Novgorod was a warship of the Imperial Russian Navy. She was one of the most unusual warships ever built and still survives in popular naval myth, often described as the "ugliest warship ever built". Together with the flagship "Popov", they were affectionately known as "popovkas", after their chief designer Andrei Alexandrovich Popovovich Popov. The circular hull, intended as a stable platform for the cannons, proved almost unmanageable in practice.

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.