Ball book in 800 thousandths vermeil with repoussé and guilloché decoration of a river landscape, surrounded by tracery on an amati background and ivy falls. The interior, lined with moiré silk, is gusseted and contains a notebook marked "Memoria", indicating the days in Spanish. The 800 thousandths vermeil mechanical pencil forms the clasp. 19th century, made in France for export (Mercury head and wild boar head for the mechanical pencil). (Wear and minor accidents.) Height Height : 9.2 cm Weight: 43 g. Expert : Cabinet Émeric & Stephen PORTIER

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.