Beautiful and rare folding knife, gilded brass ferrule and mount, handle covered with gold-encrusted tortoiseshell plates with fillets and roses; in the middle of each side: a small porthole reveals, when the knife is closed, a small medal marked: "December 2, 1852" on one side and "VIVE NAPOLÉON III" on the other; when the knife is opened, the medals change, with Napoleon III's profile on one side and the imperial eagle on the other; length 20 cm. Second Empire period. Very good condition.

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.