Gun stock saw, likely late 18th c., decorated throughout with mottoes and imagery related to the French Revolution. Incised along one side of the blade: "Viva la nation et tout ces bon cytoiens [citoyens]. Fait a Brignais...C. Vincent." Incised along the other: "La mort dez aristocrats, la rejouissancez du diable....JFG." In English reading "Long live the nation and all its good citizens. Done in Brignais...C. Vincent" and "The death of aristocrats, the rejoicing of the devil....JFG" respectively. The point is decorated with the image of a face above crossbones, dripping blood. The wooden handle carved with two folk art heads, one with a toothy grin and a cap and the other an animal missing its horns; possibly a devilish cartoon depiction of Louis XVI. Saw; Length: 44 in x width: 4 in. Handle; Length: 27 in x width: 6 1/4 in x depth: 1 1/2 in.

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.