Golden toilet’s new owner explains why they made £9.3m purchase

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! is "flush with excitement" after buying a solid gold toilet for $12.1 million (£9.3 million) at auction.

The fully functional artwork by Maurizio Cattelan saw an edition installed at New York’s Solomon R Guggenheim Museum in 2016, open for public use.

Its first casting was stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019, after thieves smashed their way in and ripped out the 18-carat gold fixture.

Ripley’s has now secured the only surviving 101.2kg edition, titled "America," at Sotheby’s Now And Contemporary Evening Auction 2025.

A social media post on the official Ripley’s account said: “This World Toilet Day, we’re flush with excitement! Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! has purchased a solid gold toilet for $12.1 million!

“Created by artist Maurizio Cattelan, the solid gold toilet titled America is now the most valuable exhibit to join the Ripley’s collection.

“The 18-carat throne first dazzled visitors at the Guggenheim in 2016 before disappearing in 2019 from Blenheim Palace in an overnight caper.

“Believe It Or Not!, that edition is still missing! Ripley’s has purchased the only fully fabricated edition of the golden throne still known to exist, and we intend to keep this one from embarking on any unexpected adventures.

“Ripley’s plans to display the sculpture in all its glory, giving guests the chance to get up close to the world’s most extravagant restroom fixture.

“As for whether guests will ever be permitted to take the ultimate golden seat on this fully functional toilet? The team is exploring possibilities.

“But such an opportunity requires serious planning and someone brave enough to ensure everything keeps flowing in the right direction.”

In November 2024, Cattelan’s Comedian, a banana fastened to a wall with duct tape, was auctioned for 6.2 million dollars (£4.7 million).