A gleaming 18-karat gold toilet titled “America” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan is heading to auction this month. The provocative artwork, famous for its bold social commentary, will be the centerpiece of Sotheby’s “The Now and Contemporary” evening sale on November 18, with starting bids set around $10.2 million.
Cattelan, known for his satirical approach to art, previously gained international attention for his piece “Comedian” — a banana duct-taped to a wall — which sold for $6.2 million. With “America,” he once again challenges traditional notions of luxury, excess, and societal privilege.
The fully functional toilet sculpture was first installed at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, where visitors were allowed to use it. It quickly became one of the museum’s most talked-about exhibits. The work made headlines again in 2019 when it was stolen from Blenheim Palace in England, where it had been on display. Despite several arrests, the original golden toilet has never been recovered.
Sotheby’s will now exhibit the second edition of “America” at its new Manhattan headquarters from November 8 to 17 before the auction. While the sculpture remains operational, visitors will only be able to view it, not use it.
Art experts say “America” reflects Cattelan’s signature mix of humor and critique, offering a sharp commentary on wealth inequality and the value placed on material objects. The golden toilet serves as both an artwork and a statement piece, blurring the line between art and absurdity.
Sotheby’s expects strong global interest in the piece, given its cultural significance and the continued fascination surrounding its theft. Whether viewed as satire or luxury, “America” remains one of modern art’s most iconic and controversial works.
In other news read more about: £4.8M Gold Toilet Vanishes in Daring Five-Minute Heist
