Artist Known for Duct-Taped Banana Creates a Gold Toilet Selling for $12.1 Million

Investors often spend millions on art, but how much would one pay for a toilet crafted from gold?

On a recent auction day at Sotheby's, an extraordinary 18-karat gold toilet titled "America," designed by the renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, fetched $12.1 million. What sets this piece apart is that it is not just ornamental; it's fully functional.

First introduced to the public in 2016, the toilet weighs in at approximately 223 pounds and carries a certificate signed by Cattelan himself, as reported by Sotheby's.

Amusingly, during the auction, the auctioneer quipped, "Feeling flush?" as they gauged interest from potential buyers.

Although the auction was a spectacle, the identity of the successful bidder remains a mystery.

Before going under the hammer, it was anticipated that the starting bid would hover around $10 million. However, since the opening bid was tied to gold's market value, it was subject to change.

The seller, whose name remains undisclosed, purchased the toilet in 2017 from the Marian Goodman Gallery in New York.

A Notorious Art Installation

This edition of "America" is particularly notable as it is a second version. The first made headlines when installed at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York in 2016. Museum-goers were allowed to use it, leading to long queues of curious visitors.

Eventually, the artwork journeyed to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England. Unfortunately, it was stolen in 2019. Although two individuals were caught and sentenced this year, the golden lavatory has not been recovered.

Sotheby's assures that the recently auctioned toilet is the only remaining copy of "America."

Cattelan's Noteworthy Creations

Maurizio Cattelan is no stranger to creating divisive and provocative artworks. His piece "Comedian," a simple banana affixed to a wall with duct tape, captivated the art world in 2019.

Justin Sun, a Chinese entrepreneur famous for his ventures in the cryptocurrency sector, couldn't resist and purchased the viral banana for $6.2 million at a Sotheby's auction last year. Sun cheekily mentioned that he intended to consume the banana as part of a unique artistic endeavor.

However, the golden toilet sale isn't Cattelan's priciest artwork. His previous work, "Him," depicting Adolf Hitler in prayer, fetched an impressive $17.2 million at Christie's in 2016.