How much would you pay for an infamous gold toilet?

The infamous 18-karat solid gold throne by artist Maurizio Cattelan, previously displayed at the Guggenheim Museum, is set for auction at Sothebys, reigniting its cultural significance.

The sculpture, weighing 220 pounds and crafted from gold, originally attracted around 100,000 visitors during its 2016 exhibition in New York City.
Following its theft in 2019, the gold toilet was recovered, and now Sothebys plans to auction it, spurring renewed interest in this controversial piece.
The auction at Sothebys reflects ongoing fascination with modern art, as seen with Cattelans works, including his banana sculpture that gained viral attention.

Why It Matters

This auction highlights the intersection of art, value, and celebrity, illustrating how unconventional pieces like the gold toilet can provoke dialogue within contemporary art and culture. It also underscores the security challenges faced by high-value artworks.