"James Cameron and his team created a masterpiece in every single detail, and this piece embodies that artistry." -- Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE Global LOS ANGELES, CA.- One of the most recognizable and beloved set pieces from James Cameron's Titanic is heading to auction on December 9 & 10 -- the original Grand Staircase Cherub, screen-used in multiple scenes of the 1997 blockbuster, including the pivotal moment when Jack and Rose meet in front of the First Class Dining Room, in addition to being scene throughout the film, including the climactic moment when the Atlantic Ocean bursts through the skylight and floods the staircase, and cherub.
The ornate cherub fixture -- crafted for the film's full-scale recreation of the RMS Titanic's Grand Staircase -- was gifted by the production to Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE Global Entertainment, whose immersive exhibitions have brought the world's most famous ship to millions of fans. It now resurfaces as a rare offering in Heritage Auctions' Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Signature Auction (Sale #7433)
The piece arrives at auction just months after another Titanic prop -- the floating wall panel on which Jack and Rose famously floated -- sold for more than $700,000, signaling a surging appetite among collectors of iconic cinema artifacts. Early estimates suggest the "Titanic Cherub" could be even more valuable to collectors, or museums.
A Screen Icon in Its Own Right
The cherub appears repeatedly throughout Titanic, most notably during Rose DeWitt Bukater's early descent of the Grand Staircase -- a moment that became one of the most reproduced stills in modern cinema. Its image can be spotted in film stills, promotional photography, behind-the-scenes footage, and even theme park recreations. For many fans, it is synonymous with Cameron's obsessive detail and the grandeur of the ill-fated ocean liner.
"This cherub has been part of my life -- and part of SEE's story -- for nearly three decades," said Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE Global Entertainment. "James Cameron and his team created a masterpiece in every single detail, and this piece embodies that artistry. I've been honored to steward it. Now it's time for someone else to own a treasure from the greatest cinematic voyage ever filmed."
"This is a marquee piece from one of the most influential films of all time," said Brian Chanes, Senior Director of Hollywood/Entertainment at Heritage Auctions. "Demand for screen-used Titanic artifacts is at a historic high. The recent sale of the 'wall panel' underscored that momentum -- and the cherub stands at the very heart of the film's most cherished scenes."
"As someone who lectures on maritime history -- and has spent a career studying the legacy of the Titanic -- I can say with certainty that Cameron's film has become a cultural artifact in its own right," said David Perry, maritime historian. "This cherub isn't just a film prop -- it's part of the global mythology of the ship itself. It represents how the story of Titanic continues to evolve, inspire, and fascinate new generations."