An English brass-mounted enamel writing box, late 18th century, modelled as a writing slope, with removable inset pounce pot and inkwell and hinged lid, the pink ground reserved with rococo scroll panels, the central panel to the slope decorated with a Mediterranean seascape, the surrounding panels to the top and sides decorated with English landscapes and floral sprays, interspersed with raised dots and geometric motifs in white enamel, the interior with scattered floral sprigs, 8.8cm high, 28cm wide, 22cm deep

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.