BEAUTIFUL COLUMN HEAD SABER OR SAPPER OFFICER'S SABER. Bronze mounting. Howling rooster handle with large crest, (small lack), and eight sides. Guard with two quillons turned towards the tip, decorated with guilloche friezes. Strong, straight, flat-backed blade with counter-edge and hollow sides. Heavy brass scabbard, engraved with trophies, spider webs, border friezes, trophies of arms, sappers, palm leaves and foliage. Two-armed scrolled stinger. T.B.E. First Empire period.

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.