Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has officially gone for gold, 18 karats of it, with one of the most unbelievable acquisitions in its history. Maurizio Cattelan’s infamous solid gold toilet, titled America , has found its forever home at Ripley’s after selling for a jaw-dropping $12.1 million!
But that's not all. In fact, here’s the kicker: melt it down, and the gold alone is worth nearly $10 million. Talk about a bathroom break worth its weight in gold.
An Unbelievable Backstory
Before becoming Ripley’s newest showstopper, this gleaming commode dazzled the art world at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in 2016.
Its legend grew even stranger in 2019, when the first edition vanished from Blenheim Palace in a dramatic overnight heist .
The 18-karat throne that dazzled Guggenheim visitors in 2016 and then disappeared from Blenheim Palace in an overnight caper in 2019 is still missing. Ripley’s purchased a different edition of the work, 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.
Offered to a President, Now Owned by the Curators of the Odd
In one of the most unforgettable art-world anecdotes, the Guggenheim once offered this golden toilet to President Trump for the White House .
Ripley’s, ever dedicated to showcasing the extraordinary, is equally ready to let the world marvel at this majestic porcelain, well, golden, wonder. As always, sharing the unbelievable tops our to-do list!
Coming Soon: A Royal Restroom Experience
Ripley’s plans to display the sculpture in all its unmatched brilliance, giving guests the chance to get up close to the world’s most extravagant restroom fixture. And yes, it’s fully functional.
As for whether guests will ever be permitted to take the ultimate golden seat? 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.
Believe It or Not!, There’s More to Come
With this acquisition, Ripley’s once again proves its commitment to preserving the bizarre, the extraordinary, and the utterly unbelievable. A solid gold toilet may be the crown jewel (or bowl ) of the collection, but stay tuned.
At Ripley’s, you never know what incredible oddity might appear next.