Veneered cylinder desk with light wood fillet marquetry, opening at the top with two glazed leaves topped by an openwork gallery and at the bottom with a flap revealing six compartments and a writing tablet, and three drawers in the waistband, resting on four sheath legs. Anglo-Indian work, early 20th century. Height: 152 cm. Width: 107 cm. Depth: 61 cm. (Minor wear, knocks).

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.