Wood and mahogany veneered sash desk. It opens at the top with a glazed leaf, revealing twelve cardboard boxes sheathed in green leather gilded with petit fer, and a drawer. The central body opens with a flap sheathed on the reverse side in green leather gilded with petit fer. The interior features eight drawers, one of which is a chest topped by a locker. The lower part opens with two leaves concealing a locker and a safety deposit box. The whole unit rests on a plinth. Paris. Early 19th century, circa 1825-30. H_200 cm W_90 cm D_45 cm Minor restorations. Key to closed safety deposit box missing. Provenance: Former Jean-Jacques DEBOUT collection.

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.