Leather-covered, wrought-iron messenger box with wooden core and secret compartment in the lid. Front with openwork plates imitating fillings, lock hasp adorned with a basilisk, two side loops. Interior entirely sheathed in chased Italian red velvet. Paris ? late 15th century Height: 10.5 cm - Width: 15.3 cm - Depth: 22.5 cm (minor accidents and missing parts, worm holes on one side, later sheathing) Provenance: Y. Grenet Collection (label under the lid).

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.