Two small swords, circa 1900 Austrian official's sword with a narrow single-edged blade (sharpened, place rounded), brass knucklebow hilt in rich relief, the Mercury helmet (post?) on the guard with smooth horn grip scales (small defect), wooden scabbard covered in black oilcloth with brass mountings. Also a (Western European?) rapier with triangular blade (place rounded), on both sides of the brass crossguard an eagle in relief with spread wings, two smooth white grip scales of plastic, non-matching leather scabbard with brass mountings (locket missing). Slightly damaged in places, signs of age. Length 93 and 80 cm. Condition: III

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.