Nov 19, 2016: If you find yourself at New York's Guggenheim museum with an urgent need to go to the bathroom, you probably shouldn't try to use the museum's 18-carat gold toilet.

Waits to use the golden throne are reportedly up to two hours.

The fully functional toilet is a work of art called "America." It first went on display in September.

It's the creation of Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, who reportedly stated the art is about economic inequality.

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According to the museum, the toilet is a "a bold, irreverent work … ultimately reminding us of the inescapable physical realities of our shared humanity," adding that the point of the exhibit is "making available to the public an extravagant luxury product seemingly intended for the 1 percent."

A New York Times reporter was able to use the golden throne ahead of its opening to the public, saying it "looks best when in use, sparkling so much it's almost too bright to look at, especially during the flush, which may be a new postmodern sublime."

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According to newspaper, the arrival of the elaborate toilet was delayed because it was difficult to install. Its cost was underwritten by private donors and is not being revealed. The gold commode is to be available for use indefinitely at the Guggenheim restroom on the fifth floor ramp.

This is not the first time a toilet has been used as a work of art. In 1917, artist Marcel Duchamp called a porcelain urinal mounted to the wall a "Fountain" creating an uproar in the art community. (VOA)