Solid Gold Toilet Auctioned in New York with $10 Million Start

A unique piece of art is set to hit the auction block in New York, as Sotheby’s prepares to auction a solid gold toilet valued at over $10 million. Known as “America,” this remarkable sculpture by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan will be available for bidding on November 18, 2023. Sotheby’s describes the piece as an “incisive commentary on the collision of artistic production and commodity value.”

Originally gaining notoriety for its audacious theft from England’s Blenheim Palace in 2019, this fully functional lavatory has sparked both fascination and controversy. The starting price for the auction reflects the current market value of the gold used in its construction, which weighs just over 101.2 kg.

Art and Controversy Converge

David Galperin, head of contemporary art at Sotheby’s in New York, has referred to Cattelan as “the consummate art world provocateur.” Cattelan’s past works have included the infamous “Comedian,” which featured a banana duct-taped to a wall and sold for $6.2 million last year. Another notable piece, “Him,” depicting a kneeling Adolf Hitler, fetched $17.2 million at a Christie’s auction in 2016.

Cattelan has stated that “America” satirizes excessive wealth, emphasizing that regardless of the cost of one’s meal—be it a luxurious $200 lunch or a $2 hot dog—the outcome remains the same in the bathroom.

A History of Intrigue

Two versions of “America” were created in 2016. The version set for auction has been privately owned by an undisclosed collector since 2017. The other version was displayed at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, where it attracted over 100,000 visitors eager to experience the artwork firsthand. At one point, the Guggenheim offered to lend the piece to then-President Donald Trump after he requested a Van Gogh painting.

The sculpture later traveled to Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill. In a brazen heist, it was stolen just days after its installation. Burglars broke into the palace, removed the toilet from its plumbing, and escaped. Two men were convicted earlier this year for the theft, yet the toilet itself has never been recovered, with investigators suspecting it was dismantled and melted down.

Galperin is cautious about predicting the auction’s outcome, noting that Cattelan’s previous works often challenge perceptions of value. He remarked, “The question of the proportion of value between the raw materials and the artistic idea is very on the table here.”

“America” will be displayed at Sotheby’s new headquarters, the Breuer Building in New York, from November 8 until the auction date. Unlike previous exhibitions, visitors will have the opportunity to view the piece up-close, although it will not be functional for use. While at the Guggenheim and Blenheim Palace, visitors could book appointments to use the toilet, this time around, they can only admire the artwork without the option to flush.

The upcoming auction promises to blend the worlds of art and commerce in a way that is sure to attract attention from collectors and the public alike.