A CARVED AND PAINTED HARDWOOD FISH-SHAPED SPICE CONTAINER AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON Possibly Gujarat or Awadh (Oudh), Northern India, 20th century Carved in the shape of a fish, made of two identical parts joined in the middle with iron hinges, the exterior painted in silver, bold red, black and pale pink, replicating the fins, scales and head of a fish, the interior painted in bold red and presenting on each side an elongated oval and seven rounded concave compartments to be filled with spices and possibly pandan leaves, 15cm x 45.5cm.

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.