A leather bag crafted from Tyrannosaurus rex cells failed to sell at a Paris auction Thursday, according to auction house Drouot. Bids were well below expectations, though the house did not disclose exact figures.
The item, described as 'one-of-a-kind' by auctioneer Giquello, had been estimated to fetch over $500,000. Its creation sparked debate about the ethics of using ancient DNA for luxury goods.
Drouot confirmed the bag received no winning bids. The pre-auction estimate from Giquello suggested strong interest, but the final outcome disappointed sellers.
It remains unclear if the bag will be reoffered at a future date. The failure highlights the challenge of marketing niche bioengineered products to high-end collectors.
Critics argued the piece trivialized paleontological resources, while others questioned the feasibility of scaling such production.