A VICTORIAN OAK 'YORK MINSTER' OBELISK MID-19TH CENTURY with a silvered finial and a brass plaque inscribed 'Oak & Bell Metal of York Minster burnt May 20 1840' 56.8cm high Catalogue Note The fire in 1840 was the third of the four fires in York Minster, the others being in 1753, 1829 and 1984. The obelisk was made from wood and metal recovered after the 1840 fire and was sold to raise funds to help towards the Cathedral's restoration.

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.