The gold toilet called America by artist Maurizio Cattelan was on display at Blenheim Palace when it was stolen.
Blenheim Palace
When there’s a gold piece of art in your collection, chances are someone may want to steal it.
A gold toilet titled “America” by artist Maurizio Cattelan had been installed for an exhibition at England’s Blenheim Palace last week, until thieves decided to steal it, according to a police report on Sept. 14.
Blenheim Palace confirmed the theft in a statement posted on Twitter on Sept. 14.
“We are saddened by this extraordinary event, but also relieved no-one was hurt,” the official Blenheim Palace statement said. “We are grateful to our staff and to Thames Valley Police for their rapid and brave reactions.”
**OFFICIAL STATEMENT**
Following the Thames Valley Police statement we can confirm ‘America’, the art piece by Maurizio Cattelan has been stolen in the early hours of this morning.
We are saddened by this extraordinary event, but also relieved no-one was hurt.
— Blenheim Palace (@BlenheimPalace) September 14, 2019
The fully-functioning toilet made of 18-karat solid gold estimated at over $1 million dollars was an interactive art piece that viewers could actually use, and was even offered to President Trump.
Because the gold toilet was hooked up to actual plumbing, when it was stolen it “caused significant damage and flooding,” according to the Thames Valley Police report.
A 66-year-old man has already been arrested in connection with this incident and remains in police custody, the police reported also stated. While a suspect has been arrested, the stolen gold toilet has yet to be recovered.
When asked about the theft of his art, Cattelan told the New York Times, “Who’s so stupid to steal a toilet? America was the 1% for the 99%, and I hope it still is. I want to be positive and think the robbery is a kind of Robin Hood-inspired action.”
Anyone with information about the theft is encouraged to contact the Thames Valley Police.
Of course, when the stolen piece of art happens to be a golden toilet worth millions of dollars, the reaction on social media is priceless.
So, in a nutshell, someone stole ur golden bog, they did a shit job of taking it out, the police got nothing to go on and everyone is taking the piss. 👍
— Chris Job (@chrisjobwba) September 14, 2019
Imagine a world in which TWO people think a gold toilet is a thing worth having. *sighs*
— Deborah Orr (@DeborahJaneOrr) September 14, 2019
Some legend has stolen the gold toilet from Blenheim Palace, and I couldn’t be more pleased. What could better demonstrate their contempt for the people sleeping in shop doorways than the rich defecating into an actual gold toilet? https://t.co/VLHQzeJ1pC
— Daniel Blake #EL4C #GTTO #WelfareRebellion🌹 (@KateVasey) September 14, 2019
if you install a solid gold toilet somewhere in Britain and advertise its whereabouts it would be more unforeseen for it NOT to be stolen
— Dr Charlotte Lydia Riley (@lottelydia) September 14, 2019
I very much look forward to the 4 part ITV drama about a few of unfairly laid-off plumbers planning a lav heist. Daniel Mays stars in The Big Job, 9pm Mondays, ITV. https://t.co/OYQlSnQeDb
— Michael Moran (@TheMichaelMoran) September 14, 2019
Also, to be fair, there’s a pretty strong argument that if you own a solid gold toilet you may deserve to have it nicked.
— Peter Hoskins (@PeterHoskinsTV) September 14, 2019
