A RARE OTTOMAN SILVER-MOUNTED SABRE (KILIG), LATE 17TH CENTURY with very broad curved reinforced blade of T-section double-edged towards the point, silver hilt comprising a pair of langets and quillons of tapering rectangular section, integral grip rising to a broad cusped pommel (one small early repair), chased over its entire surface with flowers and foliage against a finely punched matted ground (rubbed), in its tooled fishskin-covered wooden scabbard (later blackened finish) with large silver locket, chape and two bands for suspension, the locket and chape decorated en suite and incorporating a slender panel pierced and chased with conventional foliage, the two bands each formed as a pierced scroll of foliage carrying a central flower head, and two rings for suspension, 70.7 cm blade

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.