Topline
A solid gold toilet with an odd connection to President Donald Trump sold for $12.1 million at Sotheby’s on Tuesday night, one of a half dozen substantial pieces offered at auction this week amid a downturn in high-dollar art sales.
“America,” the toilet cast from more than 100 kilograms of solid 18-karat gold, by Maurizio Cattelan is displayed in New York on Nov. 7, 2025.
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Key Facts
Bidding for the toilet, a piece called “America” made by Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan with more than 220 pounds of 18-karat gold, started at $10 million.
Also auctioned on Tuesday night was “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer” by Gustav Klimt, one of only two full-length Klimt portraits left in private hands, which sold for $236.3 million as part of late cosmetics billionaire Leonard Lauder’s personal collection.
The auction of Lauder’s collection also included sales of the $86 million “Blumenwiese” and $70.6 million “Waldabhang bei Unterach am Attersee,” both by Klimt.
On Monday, an abstract painting by Mark Rothko sold for $62.1 million, above its estimated $50 million price, as part of an 18-piece collection by late Weis Market chairman Robert F. Weis and his wife Patricia that sold for a total of $218 million.
“America” displayed during a press preview at Sotheby’s on November 07, 2025 in New York City.
Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
The flushometer valve of “America.”
Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
The toilet bowl of “America.”
Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images
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What To Watch For
More big-ticket auctions this week. A self-portrait by Frida Kahlo estimated to be worth between $40 million and $60 million will go on sale Thursday at Sotheby’s.