Maurizio Cattelan's 18-karat gold toilet, titled *America* (2016), sold for $12.1 million at Sotheby's “The Now & Contemporary” sale on Tuesday evening, falling short of the artist's auction record. The work, owned by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, hammered at $10 million—just above the value of its gold content—after a single bid. It was installed in a bathroom at Sotheby's Breuer Building for viewing but not use. The consignor was revealed to be Cohen, who acquired the piece from Marian Goodman Gallery in 2017. The sale accepted cryptocurrency, and the work did not carry a guarantee.
The sale matters because *America* is one of the most iconic and controversial artworks of the past decade, known for its biting commentary on value, luxury, and institutional critique. The modest result—far below the $17.2 million record for Cattelan's *Him* (2011)—highlights the gap between cultural notoriety and market performance, especially for conceptual works tied to precious materials. The piece's history, including its debut at the Guggenheim Museum and the theft of its only other version, adds to its legend, making this auction a key moment in the contemporary art market.