Solid Gold Toilet to Auction for $10 Million in New York

On November 18, 2023, a unique piece of art will be auctioned in New York: a solid gold toilet valued at approximately $10 million. The toilet, titled “America,” was created by renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and is described by Sotheby’s as an “incisive commentary on the collision of artistic production and commodity value.”

This fully functional toilet gained notoriety after being stolen in a bold heist from Blenheim Palace in England in 2019. The upcoming auction will feature the piece with a starting price based on the current value of the gold used in its construction, which weighs just over 101.2 kg.

A Provocative Artist and His Work

David Galperin, head of contemporary art at Sotheby’s New York, emphasized Cattelan’s role as a provocateur within the art world. He pointed out that the artist is known for creating works that challenge perceptions of value. One example is Cattelan’s “Comedian,” a banana duct-taped to a wall, which sold for $6.2 million at a New York auction last year. Another notable piece, titled “Him,” depicting a kneeling Adolf Hitler, fetched $17.2 million at a Christie’s auction in 2016.

Cattelan has expressed that “America” satirizes excessive wealth, stating, “Whatever you eat, a $200 lunch or a $2 hot dog, the results are the same, toilet-wise.” The piece is significant not only for its material value but for its conceptual commentary on wealth and privilege.

A History of Theft and Controversy

Originally created in 2016, two versions of “America” were produced. The version being auctioned has been under the ownership of an unnamed collector since 2017, while the other was displayed in the Guggenheim Museum in New York, where it attracted over 100,000 visitors eager to experience the artwork.

In a curious instance, the Guggenheim had offered the toilet to former US President Donald Trump during his first term after he expressed interest in borrowing a Van Gogh painting. The piece later made headlines when it was displayed at Blenheim Palace, where it was stolen within days of the exhibition. Thieves broke into the estate, forcibly removed the toilet from its plumbing, and fled the scene. Two individuals were convicted for the theft and sentenced to prison, but the toilet itself has never been recovered. Investigators suspect it was melted down.

Galperin refrained from predicting the final sale price of “America,” highlighting the complex relationship between raw materials and artistic value. He noted that while Cattelan’s duct-taped banana raised questions about the nature of value, “America” presents a stark contrast with its significant intrinsic worth.

The solid gold toilet will be available for public viewing at Sotheby’s new headquarters in the Breuer Building from November 8 until the auction, showcased in a bathroom setting. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the piece up close but will not be allowed to use it, marking a change from previous exhibitions where appointments could be made for a three-minute experience.

As the auction date approaches, interest in “America” continues to grow, promising to be a captivating event in the contemporary art world.