Christie’s has halted the sale of a rare 17th-century Pascaline arithmetic machine, originally scheduled for auction on November 19, after the Administrative Tribunal of Paris suspended its export license. The machine, invented by Blaise Pascal and estimated at €2–3 million, was pulled from sale at the consignor’s request following pressure from French cultural campaigners who argue it should be classified as a National Treasure to prevent its departure from France.
The decision underscores ongoing tensions between the international art market and national heritage protection laws. If the Pascaline is officially designated a National Treasure, it would set a precedent for blocking export of historically significant scientific artifacts, potentially affecting future sales of similar objects. The case also highlights the role of public advocacy and academic pressure in influencing cultural policy, as leading French scientists and scholars publicly urged the state to keep the machine in French collections.