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Handbag made from T-Rex cells fails to sell at Paris auction

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A handbag made from reconstructed Tyrannosaurus Rex cells failed to sell at a Paris auction.
  • The bag, with a starting bid of 100,000 euros, reached only 150,000 euros, falling short of its 300,000 euro estimate.
  • Experts debate whether the material constitutes "T-Rex leather" due to the nature of collagen reconstruction.

A unique handbag, crafted from reconstructed Tyrannosaurus Rex cells, failed to find a buyer at a Paris auction on Thursday. The auction house Giquello had set a starting bid of 100,000 euros for the "unique piece," which was estimated to sell for 300,000 euros. However, the bidding stalled at 150,000 euros, well below the expected price.

These last few years, we have managed to have techniques, biotechnologies with which we can give instructions to a cell culture to build, in quotes, in a laboratory, real T-Rex skin.

— Iacopo BrianoA paleontology expert explains the process used to create the material for the handbag.

The bag, unveiled in Amsterdam earlier this spring, was created using collagen remnants discovered in a T-Rex femur found in Montana, USA, 25 years ago. Iacopo Briano, a paleontology expert associated with the sale, explained that recent biotechnologies allow for the reconstruction of "real T-Rex skin" in a laboratory setting by instructing cell cultures.

However, the authenticity of the material as "T-Rex leather" has been questioned by other experts. Mary Schweitzer, a paleontologist at North Carolina State University, argued that "leather is made from tanned skin, and we do not have" that from a T-Rex. She noted that collagen is a "generic molecule" common to most animals, suggesting its use does not guarantee the resulting material is exclusively T-Rex skin.

It is not T-Rex leather. Leather is made from tanned skin, and we do not have that from this animal that disappeared millions of years ago.

— Mary SchweitzerA paleontologist expresses skepticism about the material's origin.

Auctioneer Alexandre Giquello acknowledged the challenge of pricing such an unprecedented item, stating before the sale that they had to "invent a price" reflecting both the investment costs and the item's rarity. Drouot, the auction house, described the handbag as an "unprecedented object in the history of luxury" and a "scientific feat" that enables the creation of leather without animal farming, opening a new path for exclusivity independent of traditional sourcing.

300,000 euros is still a lot, a lot of money. At the same time, it is a unique thing in the world. So, the rare being expensive, that's the result.

— Alexandre GiquelloThe auctioneer discusses the pricing strategy for the unique T-Rex cell handbag.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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