The man accused of stealing the famous golden toilet by conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan from Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, a town in Oxfordshire County, UK, had visited the historic residence just before the theft and had even used the luxurious toilet, as revealed during the trial that began in recent days at Oxford Crown Court.
Michael Jones, in the dock for the theft of the valuable artwork, which disappeared on the night between September 13 and 14, 2019, has always denied all charges. Alongside him, two other young men, Fred Doe and Bora Guccuk, will also stand trial, accused of receiving stolen goods.
The fully functional creation, made of 18-carat gold, was part of an exhibition presented at the British location and was insured for £4.8 million (over $6 million).
According to the evidence presented, the 39-year-old had visited the famous residence once owned by Winston Churchill twice before the theft, for reconnaissance purposes. Images of the masterpiece were found on his phone, along with a selfie of him using it. During questioning, he referred to the experience as “splendid.”
The toilet, titled “America” (2016), initially displayed at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, could indeed be used as a normal bathroom fixture and aimed to challenge the value attributed to luxury items and the concept of accessibility.
However, the golden toilet has never been found. Prosecutor Julian Christopher KC explained that it was likely dismantled and sold in small portions, through some accomplices who used the word “car” as a code to refer to the stolen item.
