Brass sextant in wooden case with accessories. Signed "A. Hurlimann, Ponthus Therrode successeurs". Hurlimann was a Parisian manufacturer of astronomical, geodesic and topographical instruments, based at 6 rue Victor Considérant and passage Dauphine. In the early 1890s, it took over from the company founded in 1845 by Schwartz (known as Lenoir) and E. Lorieux, two students of Gambey. Lorieux, two of Gambey's pupils, and was taken over in 1900 by P. Ponthus and Therrode (cracked mirror, dents to case).

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.