Two George III silver cream jugs, one by George Smith, London 1778, baluster form with punched beaded border, embossed rural scene, scroll handle on a raised wavy-edge foot, the other by Thomas Shepard, London 1774, baluster form with punched beaded border, scroll handle on a raised circular foot, height 11.4cm, total approx. weight 5oz. (2) A Private Collection.

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.