19.11.2025 14:51
The 18-karat gold toilet by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan was sold for $12.1 million at an auction held in New York City, USA. The toilet, made of solid gold and weighing 101 kilograms, was purchased by a collector. Cattelan stated that the gold toilet aimed to satirize the extreme wealth in the United States, and this price surpassed the $6.2 million sale of his "Comedian" artwork, which featured a banana taped to a wall.
A gold toilet put up for auction in New York was sold for a record price. The 18-karat gold toilet by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan found a buyer for 12.1 million dollars.
The name of the collector who purchased the toilet, weighing 101 kilograms and called "America," has not been disclosed.
SATIRE ON EXTREME WEALTH IN THE U.S.
Cattelan stated that the gold toilet, displayed for the public to see before the auction, aimed to satirize the extreme wealth in the U.S. In a previous statement, Cattelan humorously remarked, "Whether you have a $200 lunch or a $2 hot dog, the result is the same in terms of the toilet."
ANOTHER GOLD TOILET STOLEN IN ENGLAND
The toilet was one of two toilets made by Maurizio Cattelan in 2016. The other was exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 2016 and was later stolen while on display at Blenheim Palace, the country house where former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was born. Two people were arrested during the robbery, but the gold toilet was never found. It is believed that the gold toilet was dismantled and melted down.
"BANANA TAPED TO THE WALL" SOLD FOR 6.2 MILLION DOLLARS
One of Cattelan's previous works was "Comedian," which featured a banana taped to the wall. Cattelan's "banana taped to the wall" artwork was sold for 6.2 million dollars at an auction held by Sotheby's in 2024.