Ripley's Acquires $12M Golden Toilet After a Notorious Heist

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has confirmed its acquisition of the solid gold toilet, named America, crafted by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, which fetched $12.1 million (£9.3 million) at a recent Sotheby’s auction. This extravagant artwork has made headlines not only for its unique crafting from more than 15st 13lb (101.2kg) of solid 18-carat gold but also due to its notorious theft from Blenheim Palace in 2019.

The first version of America was initially installed in a public restroom at the Guggenheim Museum in New York before its theft. In an audacious heist, it was stolen by a gang on the night of September 14, 2019, which led to a worldwide manhunt.

After the original was stolen, the existence of a second version came to light. This second golden toilet was auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York, starting with a bid set at about $10 million, reflecting its weight in gold. Ultimately, it received just one bid before being sold. Ripley's later revealed themselves as the mystery buyer through a playful Instagram post, expressing, we're flush with excitement! indicating future plans to display this striking piece of art.

Ripley’s has not only gained a unique attraction but also a piece of art that challenges the intersection of art value and societal norms. The company operates various oddity museums across the globe and aims to explore ways to allow visitors to take the ultimate golden seat, though such arrangements require careful planning.

Notably, this piece achieved the second highest selling price for a work by Cattelan, whose previous sculpture of a kneeling Hitler sold for $17.2 million in 2016. As anticipation builds regarding the toilet's future, Ripley's continues to engage with the public's fascination with art and its inherent value.