All that glitters is gold! 'America' — the 18-karat gold toilet sells for Rs 1.21 crore

In a shocking sale that highlights the eccentricities of the art world, a solid gold toilet dubbed "America" has been sold for a staggering $12.1 million (Rs 1.21 crore) at a Sotheby's auction. The 223-pound masterpiece, crafted by provocative artist Maurizio Cattelan, is made entirely of 18-karat gold.

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The toilet, which functions like a regular loo, was installed at Sotheby's New York headquarters for public viewing before the auction. Thankfully, visitors weren't allowed to test its waters, with Sotheby's expert David Galperin quipping, "We don't want people sitting on the art."

"Whatever you eat, a $200 lunch or a $2 hot dog, the results are the same, toilet-wise," Cattelan once said.

The sold piece is one of two 18-karat gold toilets created by Cattelan in 2016. The other one had a rather eventful past, being displayed at New York's Guggenheim Museum and later being offered to US President Donald Trump when he asked to borrow a Van Gogh painting. It was later stolen while on display at Blenheim Palace in England.