Snake necklace with heart medallion 18 ct. yellow gold. Flexible, profiled tubular necklace, the clasp with an intertwined snake head motif and a pendant in the shape of a heart medallion with a rock crystal cover on the back. Decorated with cobalt blue translucent enamel and applied silver vine leaves, set with small diamond roses. Not stamped. Enamel minimally chipped. L 40.5 cm. Heart medallion H 1.5 cm. Total weight 30.1 g. England, third quarter 19th century. Provenance Collection, North Rhine-Westphalia. Literature Cf. Bennett/Mascetti, Understanding Jewellery, Reprint 2011, Plate 174.

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.