AN IRON TSUBA DEPICTING A MOONLIT FOREST Unsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of mokkogata shape, with two kozuka hitsu-ana, worked in high and low relief highlighted in gold and silver nunome-zogan depicting a full moon rising over tall, craggy pine trees and a single gourd vine on the reverse in fine gold takazogan. HEIGHT 8.8 cm, LENGTH 8.1 cm WEIGHT 135.7 g Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and slight rubbing to the nunome-zogan. Museum comparison: Compare a related iron tsuba depicting a crane flying over water as the sun rises, worked in nunome-zogan, unsigned, dated mid to late 18th century, in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, accession number 06.201.

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.