Looking to remodel your home and in search of something unique? For that "Pièce de résistance," consider a spiral staircase from the Eiffel Tower. Sotheby's is auctioning an original section November 26th.
In 1980 the company in charge of the Tower assessed its overall condition as it approached its 100th Anniversary, with a view to reducing the overall weight and bringing the Tower into line with modern security standards.
The staircase which linked the second and third decks was replaced by a lighter less dangerous one. It was divided into 24 segments varying in length. Three were given to French museums and others were numbered and sold at auction on the first deck of the Tower in December of 1983. Collectors from around the world competed for the 20 lots. One section headed to Japan, others sold to Canada and Switzerland. Two went to the United States-- one section was erected at Disneyland and another near the Statue of Liberty.
The auction piece is numbered n°15, has sixteen steps, stands 12ft tall and weighs over 1650 pounds. Last year, a similar one went at auction for a surprising $216,000.
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