A fully functional gold toilet named America has made global headlines after being sold at a New York auction. The 18‑karat, 101‑kg toilet, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, fetched over $12 million, combining luxury, art, and a bold social statement in one unique piece.
Italian contemporary artist Maurizio Cattelan has turned heads once again with his provocative artwork—a fully functional toilet made entirely of 18-karat solid gold. Aptly named America, the 101-kg creation was sold at Sotheby’s New York auction for a staggering $12.1 million, drawing attention from art enthusiasts and media around the world.
The gold toilet is more than just a display of extravagance. Cattelan describes it as a satirical commentary on wealth and excess. “Whatever you eat, a $200 lunch or a $2 hot dog, the results are the same, toilet-wise,” he remarked, highlighting the universality of basic human experiences, regardless of economic status.
Previously, the toilet was on display at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, where visitors could actually use it. The piece gained notoriety not only for its material but also for the statement it makes about luxury, societal values, and the intersection of art and money.
Cattelan had produced two editions of the toilet. The second edition had been displayed in England’s Blenheim Palace but was reportedly stolen in 2019, believed to have been dismantled or melted down. The recently auctioned piece thus becomes a rare and highly coveted collector’s item.
Sotheby’s described the work as “an incisive commentary on the collision of artistic production and commodity value,” emphasizing how art can challenge perceptions while creating immense monetary worth.
The sale of America has sparked conversations globally—not just about art, but also about wealth, satire, and the unconventional ways artists capture society’s imagination. This golden toilet continues to redefine what we consider art, turning a bathroom fixture into a symbol of luxury and cultural dialogue.
