Solid gold toilet was stolen from Blenheim Palace, where Winston Churchill was born

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(CNN Spanish) - A toilet made entirely of 18-carat gold was stolen from the Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England, the stately home where former Prime Minister Winston Churchill was born.

The fully functioning toilet was installed as part of an exhibition by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan entitled “Victory is not an option”, which was just opened to the public this Thursday. The palace will remain closed for the rest of the day, a spokesman said on Twitter.

According to a spokesman for the Blenheim Palace, Cattelan values ​​the toilet, titled "America," at more than $ 5 million.

Thames Valley police received a report of the theft of the toilet at 4:57 am this Saturday. The thieves left the scene at approximately 4:50 a.m., according to a statement posted online. A 66-year-old man was arrested in connection with the robbery.

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Detective inspector Jess Milne said in the statement: "Because the toilet is connected to the building, this has caused significant damage and flooding, and added:" We believe that a group of criminals used at least two vehicles during the crime. The work of art has not been recovered at this time, but we are conducting a thorough investigation to find it and bring those responsible to justice, ”Milne continued, asking potential witnesses to contact the police.

** UPDATE **

We can confirm there was an incident overnight which has led to Blenheim Palace being closed until 2pm today. We are working closely with Thames Valley Police and would direct any media inquiries to them at this stage.

- Blenheim Palace (@BlenheimPalace) September 14, 2019

Dominic Hare, executive director of the Blenheim Palace, told CNN in a statement: “After the statement by the Thames Valley Police we can confirm that 'América', the work of art by Maurizio Cattelan, has been stolen in the early hours from this morning".

"America" ​​was shown for the first time at the Guggenheim in New York. (Credit: Jacopo Zotti / MENOMENOPIU ARCHITECTS / File of Maurizio Cattelan)

“We are sad for this extraordinary event, but also relieved that no one was hurt. We are very grateful to our staff and the Thames Valley Police for their quick and courageous reactions, ”he continued. "We knew that there was a great interest in the contemporary art exhibition of Maurizio Cattelan, with many people ready to enjoy the facilities."

“Therefore, it is a pity that such a precious article has been taken, but we still have so many fascinating treasures in the Palace and the remaining articles of the exhibition to share. The investigation continues, but [the exhibition] will continue as usual from tomorrow, so that visitors can continue and experience all we have to offer, ”said Hare. "America" ​​was first exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 2016. He made headlines in 2017, after the White House management of US President Donald Trump sent an email to the Guggenheim borrowing Vincent Van Gogh's 1888 painting "Landscape with Snow"; instead, the institution's curator offered the gold toilet.

The bathroom was part of an exhibition by artist Maurizio Cattelan, held at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, where Winston Churchill nation. (Credit: Pete Seaward)

In the Blenheim Palace the bathroom was installed in a room next to which Churchill was born. A statement announcing the exhibition detailed that the work could be perceived as a commentary on social, political and economic disparities in the United States.

“His work can make us laugh and tremble in turn, with his scathing comments about the world we live in. I believe that his ironic ingenuity, stoicism and fantastic vision are exactly what we need in these times of uncertainty and globa flow, ”said Edward Spencer-Churchill, the current half-brother of the Duke of Marlborough and founder of the Blenheim Art Foundation, in a statement.

The toilet should remain on display until October 27.

EnglandRoboWinston Churchill