A George III gilt-brass etui and chatelaine, third quarter 18th century, the associated chatelaine with a panel depicting Thetis dipping her infant son Achilles into the river Styx, with cherubs below, with clip back, suspending two thimble cases with one containing a thimble, and an etui, with rococo relief decoration of flowers and Classical figures within scrolling borders, the hinged cover enclosing a partially fitted interior with pencil holder, needle, snuff spoon and folding fruit knife, etui - 10.5cm high (excluding suspension ring); chatelaine - 8cm high, overall - 18.5cm 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.