A Sparkling Bid: Ripley's Bags a Golden Throne

A 100-kilogram, 18-karat gold masterpiece that actually works

Ripley's Believe It or Not! just made a splash with a very shiny purchase. They bought a solid gold toilet. Yes, you read that right. This isn't your average porcelain throne. It's a 100-kilogram, 18-karat gold masterpiece that actually works. The auction house had hinted at a "famous American brand" as the buyer, but who would have guessed it was Ripley's?

The Golden Throne

The toilet, aptly named "America," was created by artist Maurizio Cattelan in 2016. He made two of these golden thrones, but one met a sad end when thieves stole and destroyed it in 2019. The lucky one that Ripley's snatched up was previously owned by Steve Cohen, a big-shot financier and owner of the New York Mets.

Why Spend $12.1 Million on a Toilet?

Ripley's sees it as a shiny addition to their collection of oddities. They even joked about having a plumber on standby for this art installation. The gold alone is worth about $10 million, making it a pretty tempting piece, even if you're not into art.

Ripley's Attractions

Ripley's has a bunch of attractions worldwide, from aquariums to mirror mazes. They haven't decided where this golden toilet will end up yet, but they're thinking about letting visitors use it. Talk about a unique experience! They're also exploring ways to keep things flowing smoothly, both literally and figuratively.

The Auction

The auction house, Sotheby's, priced the toilet based on the value of the gold. Ripley's paid that plus an extra $2 million in premiums. It's a hefty price tag, but for Ripley's, it's just another day of finding the unbelievable. They're already planning how to display this shiny new addition to their collection.