A portion of the Eiffel Tower’s original spiral staircase was sold at auction by Artcurial in Paris on Thursday for about €450,000 ($523,000).
A French collector purchased a nearly three-metre-high (about 9 feet high) section of the Eiffel Tower staircase, which dates back to 1889. The staircase has 14 steps and weighs 1.4 tonnes. It was previously estimated to be worth between €120,000 and €150,000.
The stairs were part of a spiral staircase connecting the second and third floors of the Paris landmark. In 1983, when an elevator was installed, the staircase was broken into 24 pieces of varying sizes.
These sections became coveted collectibles and are now located all over the world. Some are at the Statue of Liberty in New York, while others are in the gardens of the Yoishi Foundation in Japan. Others remain in private collections.
In 2016, Artcurial auctioned another 14-step portion of the staircase to an Asian buyer for approximately €524,000. Previously, in 2008, an American collector paid a record price of €553,000 for a portion of the staircase.
Paris Olympics boosts Eiffel Tower’s appeal
“When you buy a piece of the Eiffel Tower, you are buying a piece of Paris, along with all the imagery and symbolism it represents,” said Sabrina Dolla, Art Deco design director at Artcurial Paris.
Dolla said the Paris 2024 Olympics has increased the appeal of the Eiffel Tower among collectors. During the Olympics, the Tower and other landmarks, including the Place de la Concorde and the Grand Palais, took center stage.
“We’re definitely seeing new interest in its symbolism and its aesthetic appeal,” he said.
Engineer Gustave Eiffel built the Eiffel Tower for the 1889 Paris World’s Fair. It is now one of the world’s top tourist attractions. This 324 meter high structure is the most visited attraction in France.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico