These reports follow the theft of Cattelan’s gold toilet from Blenheim Palace and the later prison sentences. Together they document the incident and its criminal proceedings. A sentence does not itself establish the recovery or return of the artwork.
3 reports · Source dates: 14 Sept 2019 — 13 Jun 2025
Each entry reflects its source on the stated date. A historical theft report does not mean a work remains missing. Attributions, allegations and decisions remain distinct; this dossier does not authenticate artworks.
Following the 2019 theft of Maurizio Cattelan’s America from Blenheim Palace, James Sheen received four years in prison and Michael Jones 27 months. The Crown Prosecution Service also recorded Fred Doe’s earlier suspended sentence. This report concerns sentencing, not recovery of the artwork.
Druet claimed sole authorship of eight sculptures that he fabricated for Maurizio Cattelan between 1999 and 2006. The Paris Court of Appeal upheld the finding that Druet’s claims were inadmissible. Photo shows La Nona Ora at Kunsthalle Basel in 1999, Attilio Maranzano via Perrotin.
Maurizio Cattelan’s solid-gold toilet America was stolen from Blenheim Palace early on 14 September 2019, two days after its installation. Police reported damage and flooding caused by its removal. A 66-year-old man had been arrested but not charged; the artwork had not been recovered at the source date.
