Editor’s Note
This article discusses a unique piece of conceptual art—a functional solid gold toilet titled “America” by Maurizio Cattelan—preparing for auction. The artist is known for provocative and high-value works that challenge conventional notions of art and value.
The world’s most valuable toilet is ready for auction, which will take place in New York. Its name is “America,” and it is no ordinary toilet; it is entirely made of solid gold. Its craftsmanship and price will astonish you. This beautiful toilet was created by the famous Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. He is the same artist who sold a banana taped to a wall titled ‘Comedian’ for $62 million. Cattelan also created a disturbing kneeling statue of Adolf Hitler, which sold for $17.2 million at a Christie’s auction in 2016.
Now, let’s talk about his new artwork, “America,” which is valued at $10 million, approximately 83 crore rupees. This gold toilet will be auctioned on November 18 at the Sotheby’s auction house in New York. Sotheby’s announced on Friday that it will auction the solid gold toilet titled “America,” created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. It was made using over 101.2 kilograms (223 pounds) of gold, with a current value of approximately $10 million.
Cattelan created two toilets titled “America” in 2016. One has been with an anonymous collector since 2017. The second version was displayed in a bathroom at New York’s Guggenheim Museum in 2016, attracting over 100,000 visitors who queued to see it.
During Donald Trump’s first term as US President, when he requested to borrow a Van Gogh painting, the Guggenheim offered him this artwork instead. In 2019, it was displayed at Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s birthplace, located in the English countryside. Within days, thieves stole it, breaking into the building, forcibly wrenching it from the plumbing, and fleeing. Earlier this year, two people were convicted and jailed in connection with the case. The toilet was never recovered. Investigators believe it was likely broken and melted down.
“America” will be on display at Sotheby’s new New York headquarters, the Breuer Building, from November 18 until the auction. It will be in a bathroom, and visitors can view it up close. At the Guggenheim and Blenheim Palace, the toilet was connected to the plumbing system, and visitors could book a 3-minute slot to use it. This time, visitors will not be able to use it—they can look, but they cannot flush.