America's Golden Throne: The Art World's Most Controversial Toilet Goes to Auction

So, imagine this: an 18-karat solid gold toilet. Not just any toilet, mind you, but a genuine art piece, one that's been sat on by thousands, offered to a President, and, oh yes, stolen in a dramatic overnight heist. It's a tale almost too wild to be true, but it is.

And now, Maurizio Cattelan’s infamous 'America' is set to grace the hallowed halls of Sotheby’s—not for sitting, thankfully, but for a high-stakes auction where it’s expected to fetch a princely sum, somewhere between $5 million and $7 million. A truly staggering figure, for what is, fundamentally, a glorified commode, wouldn't you say?

Its journey, in truth, has been nothing short of a spectacle. Remember its debut? At New York’s Guggenheim Museum, from 2016 to 2017, this glittering porcelain (or, well, gold) marvel served its intended purpose, believe it or not. Over 100,000 visitors actually used it, experiencing, you could say, a moment of profound artistic reflection – or perhaps just a very fancy restroom break.

Then came the twist, the political footnote that added yet another layer to its already rich narrative. It was offered, rather cheekily, to the Trump White House. A gold toilet, for a golden-towered president. The offer was politely, or perhaps firmly, declined. One wonders why, honestly.

But the story doesn't end there, does it? Far from it. In 2019, while on exhibition at the historic Blenheim Palace in England—Winston Churchill’s birthplace, no less—'America' vanished. Poof. Overnight. Thieves, presumably with an expensive taste in plumbing, made off with the gilded fixture, leaving behind a substantial flood and, one imagines, quite a bit of bewildered consternation. To this day, the golden throne remains unrecovered.

Cattelan himself, a master of provocation, always maintained a fascinating perspective on his creation. He described it, simply enough, as '100% human.' And yes, he saw it as something that 'opens up the discussion of what is art.' And isn't that just the perfect summation? Because, for once, we have a piece that challenges our very notions of value, utility, and what we're willing to pay for it.

The upcoming auction, slated for November 14 as part of Sotheby's Contemporary Evening Auction, isn't just about selling a curious object. No, it’s also a benefit for the Guggenheim, with proceeds earmarked for future acquisitions and exhibitions. So, in a way, the golden toilet continues to give back, funding the very institutions that house, and occasionally lose, such extraordinary pieces. It’s a full circle, you could say, for an artwork that began as a functional, if opulent, statement, and has evolved into a symbol of both artistic brilliance and audacious larceny.