A unique solid gold toilet that once gained attention for its connection to former President Donald Trump has been sold for an impressive $12.1 million at a Sotheby’s auction. This spectacular piece, titled “America,” was crafted by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and is made from over 220 pounds of 18-karat gold.
Details of the Auction
The bidding for this unusual toilet commenced at $10 million. The auction, held recently, featured several high-profile artworks amidst a notable decline in the high-end art market.
Notable Auction Highlights
- “America”: Sold for $12.1 million.
- “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer” by Gustav Klimt: This rare portrait fetched $236.3 million, one of only two full-length Klimt works in private ownership.
- “Blumenwiese” and “Waldabhang bei Unterach am Attersee”: Sold for $86 million and $70.6 million, respectively, both by Klimt.
- Mark Rothko’s Abstract Painting: Sold for $62.1 million, above its estimated value of $50 million.
Context of the Auction
The auction was part of a personal collection belonging to the late cosmetics billionaire Leonard Lauder. Lauder’s collection generated a total of $218 million during the event.
Upcoming auctions continue to attract high-value art pieces. A self-portrait by Frida Kahlo, estimated to reach between $40 million and $60 million, is scheduled for sale this Thursday at Sotheby’s.
