OFFICER'S SABER OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD FOOT GRENADIERS. Brass mounting. Handle entirely covered with silver filigree. Long-tailed pommel, chased with foliage. Single-branch hilt decorated en suite. Body knot with auricles surmounted on the front by the profile of Emperor Napoleon I in silver. Engraved straight quillon. Curved blade with round back, counter-edge, gutter and hollow sides, gilded, blued and engraved 2/3 on one side "Garde Impériale", "N" surmounted by the crowned eagle, trophy, bundles of flags and standards; on the other side, foot grenadiers surrounded by the same symbols as on the other side. Leather scabbard with two brass fittings, cut out and decorated with line work (splints missing). With scarlet pompom lanyard (wear). Service A.B.E. First Empire period (loose watermark, stained blade with remnants of bluing and gold).

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.