Suite of twelve silver vermeiled teaspoons 84 and 88 zolotniks with polychrome enamel decoration. Moscow, late 19th century. Length: 11.5 cm - Gross weight: 225 g Silk-sheathed case bearing on a blue silk band the sign of the Gracheva boutique, Saint-Peterburg, Nevsky Prospect no. 34. This was a gift from Prince Alexander Oldenburg to Monsieur Petit, then manager of the Gray d'Albion hotel in Cannes, on the occasion of his marriage. Enclosed is the handwritten letter accompanying the box, dated April 1885, and the wax impression of the Russian double-headed eagle on the seal that closed the envelope.

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.