Lower thirds:

00:02 Report by Arthur Sullivan
00:46 David Galperin | Sotheby's
01:32 David Galperin | Sotheby's

Script:

When you gotta go, you gotta go. But why not at least go in style? This 18-karat gold toilet is not just nice to look at. It can do everything a regular toilet is supposed to do.

0015

But it's also an acclaimed artwork, known by the name "America". Created by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan in 2016, an earlier version was stolen by thieves when it was on display - and fully operational - in the UK's Blenheim Palace.

0029

But this version - the only one left - is being auctioned on November 18. With the price of gold currently near record levels, the bidding for "America" is expected to start at around 10 million dollars.

0045

+++SOT David Galperin, Sotheby's vice-chairman+++

"It is directly tied to the work's raw material value in a way that really speaks to Cattelan's own interest in the difference between commodity value and artistic value. And so that very essence, that very debate is really on the table here and something that we will explore in both the sale and the eventual sale price."

+++

"America" has already gained fame and notoriety. First, as an artistic satire on wealth and the nature of an object's true value - and then, because of the spectacular robbery in 2019.

Cattelan has a reputation for provocative artworks which raise questions about how art is priced.

+++ SOT David Galperin, Sotheby's vice-chairman +++ 

"Over the course of Cattelan’s entire career, he has always pushed the boundaries. This is, this is part of what makes him a great, great artist. He's able to really provoke thought, intellectual debate and create objects that, an artworks that transcend the boundaries of the art world and enter the real world."

+++

For those interested, the toilet will be on display at Sotheby's New York headquarters ahead of the auction - but strictly no flushing is allowed.

***