Record Sale for a Unique Artwork
An 18-karat gold toilet, crafted by an Italian artist, was sold at Sotheby’s auction for an impressive $12.1 million on Tuesday.
This fully functional piece, titled “America,” was created in 2016 and is one of only three made by Maurizio Cattelan, who is now 65 years old.
The golden toilet was initially showcased at the Marian Goodman Gallery in New York before being purchased by Steve Cohen, owner of the New York Mets, in 2017.
Sotheby’s did not disclose the identity of the latest buyer in their listing for “America.” However, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! confirmed via social media on Wednesday that they were the ones who acquired it.
Ripley’s announced that they have obtained the only fully fabricated version of this golden throne still known to exist. They plan to exhibit it prominently, allowing visitors to experience this extravagant restroom fixture up close. The franchise is also exploring options for guests to use the toilet during their visits.
A previous version of “America” was displayed and utilized at New York’s Guggenheim Museum before being stolen from Blenheim Palace in the U.K., as reported by ARTnews.
Maurizio Cattelan is also recognized for his artwork titled “Comedian,” which featured a banana duct-taped to a wall. Additionally, another edition of this work was sold by Sotheby’s in 2024 for $6.24 million; its buyer, cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, famously consumed the banana afterward.
