Solid gold £9.3m toilet’s buyer revealed

The 18-carat golden loo, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was purchased by Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, a company famous for collecting unusual and extraordinary objects.

What Is the Gold Toilet “America”?

The artwork, officially titled America, is a fully functioning toilet made from 101.2 kilograms of solid 18-carat gold. Cattelan created three versions of the sculpture in 2016 as a satirical, humorous commentary on luxury, wealth, and American culture.

The piece first gained worldwide attention when more than 100,000 visitors queued to use it at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

The Blenheim Palace Heist

The golden toilet became even more famous in 2019 when thieves stole one version of it from Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, ripping it from its plumbing and escaping with it.

The dramatic heist made headlines across the globe, and two men have since been jailed.

Fortunately, this was not the only golden toilet Cattelan created.

The $12.1 Million Auction

Sotheby’s recently put another version of the toilet up for auction in New York.

The starting bid was set at the exact value of the gold itself—around $10 million.

It received just one bid, but that was enough to secure the sale at $12.1 million.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Confirmed as Buyer

At first, the buyer remained anonymous. Then Ripley’s Believe It or Not! announced their purchase on Instagram, joking that they were “flush with excitement.”

Ripley’s is widely known for showcasing oddities, rare artifacts, and record-breaking curiosities in its worldwide attractions.

Will Visitors Be Able to Use the Golden Toilet?

Ripley’s has already hinted at the possibility of allowing guests to “take the ultimate golden seat.”

However, they note that such an experience requires careful planning—and a very reliable plumbing system.

How Long Would It Take to Save for a Gold Toilet?

If you saved £1 a week, you’d need around 178,000 years to afford this golden masterpiece.