Sotheby’s Auctions Maurizio Cattelan’s Golden Toilet in New York

In November 2023, Sotheby’s will auction Maurizio Cattelan’s renowned golden toilet, titled “America.” This bold artwork will be displayed in the Breuer Building, Sotheby’s new headquarters, starting November 8. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the piece, but they will not be permitted to use it.

Cattelan’s Golden Toilet: Auction Details

The golden toilet, made from 18-karat solid gold, weighs approximately 100 kilograms. It will be featured in Sotheby’s “The Now and Contemporary” evening sale on November 18. The starting bid for this unique piece will be determined by its weight in gold, expected to be around $10 million.

Historical Context

• First Exhibited: The toilet made its debut at New York’s Guggenheim Museum in 2016.
• User Experience: During its initial exhibition, over 100,000 visitors lined up to use the toilet, creating what the museum described as “unprecedented intimacy with a work of art.”
• Notorious Theft: In 2019, a version of this artwork was stolen from Blenheim Palace during a smash-and-grab operation.

The stolen toilet, valued at $6 million, has never been recovered. Three individuals were convicted in connection with the theft.

Artistic Significance

Cattelan’s “America” exemplifies his sharp commentary on art’s intersection with commodity value, resonating powerfully in today’s cultural landscape. David Galperin, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art, emphasized that this piece encapsulates the artist’s long-standing exploration of societal themes.

Furthermore, “America” serves as a modern homage to Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain,” a landmark artwork from 1917 that challenged the very definition of art. Cattelan’s work, however, takes a new approach by transforming a functional object into a masterpiece, thus pushing the boundaries of both art and consumerism.

Cryptocurrency and Younger Collectors

Sotheby’s will accept cryptocurrency for the auction, aiming to attract both traditional collectors and those from the crypto community. This approach follows the success of last year’s auction of Cattelan’s banana artwork, which was bought by crypto billionaire Justin Sun.

As the auction date approaches, anticipation builds. The next owner of “America” will possess not just a striking artwork, but also an extraordinary investment.