If you’re in the mood to flush millions down the toilet, then this shiny golden commode is just for you. Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, known for his provocative and satirical works, is set to auction his infamous 18-karat gold toilet titled “America”.
Cattelan, who previously sold his controversial banana duct-taped to a wall (“Comedian”) for $6.2 million, is known for blurring the lines between art, irony, and social commentary.
The fully functional sculpture will headline Sotheby’s “The Now and Contemporary” evening sale on November 18, with starting bids around $10.2 million.
The golden toilet first gained notoriety after being installed in the Guggenheim Museum in New York, where visitors could actually use it. It later drew global headlines when it was stolen from Blenheim Palace in England in 2019, never to be recovered. Two men were sentenced this year for their role in the high-profile theft.
Sotheby’s will now display the second edition of “America” at its new Manhattan headquarters from November 8 to 17, ahead of the auction. While the toilet remains operational, visitors can only view it, but can not use it.