AN ENGRAVED SILVER MINIATURE CANNON WITH PAIRS OF SINHA LIONS Possibly Ceylon or Kandy, Sri Lanka, South Asia, late 19th century Of tapering cylindrical shape, with an everted circular mouth and a stepped, domed tail, possibly once used as a fuse for a much larger firing arm, the exterior profusely engraved with typical Sinhalese silver motifs including two pairs of Sinha lions set against a dense background of vegetal meanderings and stylised floral sprays, mounted on a small black stand, the cannon 12.5cm long, 59gr.

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.