AN ENGRAVED CEREMONIAL LAMP OIL FLASK WITH MYTHICAL CREATURES AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON Bengaluru (Bangalore), Karnataka, South India, late 18th - 19th century Of compressed globular shape, with flattened front and back, rising to a cylindrical neck surmounted by a bulbous, tapering spout, with two slender mythical creatures, possibly lions or stylised dragons on the sides as handles, the stepped, hammered, and engraved body featuring on each side a large central medallion with a Hamsa duck breathing fire against a ring-punched ground, 46.5cm high.

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.