Sotheby’s said on Tuesday (18 November) that Maurizio Cattelan’s America (2016) had sold for $10m ($12.1m with fees) to “a famous American brand", but a spokesperson for the auction house declined to provide more details. Now, the new owner of the 18-karat gold, fully functional toilet has revealed itself: Ripley's Believe It or Not!, a US franchise dedicated to the bizarre and strange.
Ripley’s operates aquariums, resorts, theme parks and museums it calls “Odditoriums”, filled with artefacts from founder Robert L. Ripley’s collection, wax statues of celebrities and historical figures, and more. It has dozens of locations across North America as well as in Europe, South-East Asia and Australia. The company also publishes books and produces programmes like television shows.
America was reportedly consigned to Sotheby's by the billionaire collector, Museum of Modern Art trustee and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen. It is the last surviving edition of the work. Another edition had been installed at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, where more than 100,000 visitors used it during its year-long run. That piece was later stolen in 2019, just two days after going on display at Blenheim Palace in the UK. Two men were convicted in relation to the heist earlier this year, and investigators believe that edition of America was ultimately melted down and destroyed.
Ripley's announcement says it plans to display the sculpture for the public to see, though it did not specify at which of its locations the newly acquired golden throne might land. As to whether visitors to Ripley's Believe It or Not will be able to relieve themselves in it or not, for now the company is letting speculation swirl.
“The team is exploring possibilities,” Ripley’s announcement teases. “But such an opportunity requires serious planning and someone brave enough to ensure everything keeps flowing in the right direction.”
