Flying Mercury After a model by Giambologna (1529-1608). Large cast-iron sculpture with brown patina depicting Mercury holding a caduceus in his left hand and propelled through the air by the breath of Zephyr. He is wearing a winged petascus, with his right arm and index finger pointing skyward. The piece rests on a circular molded base. Italy. Second half of the 19th century. H_81.5 cm The caduceus is missing. Our Flying Mercury is inspired by the one created in 1580 by Jean de Bologne, to decorate the fountain in the loggia of the Villa Medici in Rome. It is currently in the collections of the Bargello Museum in Florence.

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.