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Issuance of the export certificate for the Pascaline suspended
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- Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
The Pascaline, or “arithmetical machine,” Rouen, c. 1645–1650
Christie’s sale, Paris, 19 November 2025
Photo: Christie’s Paris - See the image in its page
18/11/25 - Museums - National Treasure - We raised this issue only two days ago, when we discussed the Christie’s sale: concern was growing, particularly among scholars, about the export certificate granted for the Pascaline, the calculating machine created by Blaise Pascal, which was due to be auctioned tomorrow. Although it belongs above all to the field of scientific instruments — a discipline lying on the edge of the purview of La Tribune de l’Art — the quality of its design makes it a true work of art. It is, moreover, the Department of Decorative Arts at the Musée du Louvre that…
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