The Great Gold Toilet Heist: A Stolen Masterpiece
A Stolen Masterpiece
It took just five minutes for thieves to steal a £2.8-million gold toilet, which has never been found, from an art exhibition at an English country house. The fully functioning 18-carat convenience, dubbed "America", was stolen five years ago from Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, near Oxford.
The Exhibition and the Heist
Blenheim Palace, the 18th-century stately home, is the birthplace of war-time prime minister Winston Churchill and home to the dukes of Marlborough. The gold toilet was one of the star attractions of an exhibition by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan at the palace. The exhibition took place in 2019, and the gold toilet was stolen during an overnight raid on September 14, 2019.
The Accused
Michael Jones, 39, pleaded not guilty in January to stealing the artwork. Two other defendants, Frederick Sines and Bora Guccuk, each deny one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property. A fourth defendant, James Sheen, has previously pleaded guilty to burglary.
The Investigation
Prosecutor Julian Christopher told Oxford Crown Court in southern England that the raid took just five minutes, with sledgehammers left at the scene. "The gold it was made from was itself worth in the region of £2.8 million ($3.5 million) at the time… and was insured for the sum of $6 million," he said. "The work of art was never recovered. It appears to have been split up into smaller amounts of gold and never recovered," he added.
The Case
The gold toilet, made from 18-carat gold, was a fully functioning convenience that was valued at £2.8 million at the time of its theft. It was insured for $6 million, which is equivalent to £4.5 million. The thieves left behind sledgehammers at the scene, indicating the extent of their efforts to remove the valuable artwork.
The Verdict
The case is ongoing, with the accused facing trial. The outcome is yet to be determined, but the case has raised questions about the value of art and the lengths to which thieves will go to steal it.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was stolen?
The fully functioning 18-carat gold toilet, valued at £2.8 million, was stolen from an art exhibition at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, near Oxford. - How long did it take to steal the gold toilet?
It took just five minutes for the thieves to steal the gold toilet. - Who was accused of stealing the gold toilet?
Michael Jones, 39, pleaded not guilty to stealing the artwork, while two other defendants deny one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property. A fourth defendant has previously pleaded guilty to burglary. - Is the gold toilet still missing?
Yes, the gold toilet has never been recovered and appears to have been split up into smaller amounts of gold.