dating: circa 1800 provenance: Napoli, Solid, straight, single-and false-edged blade with central fuller, the base with a man's bust on one side and a woman's bust on the other, both silver-inlaid and in bas-relief. Ribbed horn handle (missing parts and moth damage). Ring nut engraved and worked with leaves (missing parts). Cylindrical brass pommel.

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.