Bust of Franz Joseph I of Austria; Vienna, c.1900. Calamine on marble base "brignoles". Measurements: 22 x 12,5 x 8,5 cm. Bust of Franz Joseph I of Austria. Emperor of Austria, king of Hungary and ruler of the other states of the Habsburg monarchy from December 2, 1848 until his death in 1916. At the beginning of his reign, his kingdoms and territories were called the Austrian Empire, but in 1867 they were reconstituted as the dual monarchy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

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.