Fountain
Sculpture / Readymade, glazed ceramic sanitary ware • Marcel Duchamp
Style & Movement
Dada / Conceptual Art
Medium & Technique
Porcelain urinal with black paint signature
Creation Period
1917 (replica/edition c. 1950 or 1964)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 18 x 15 inches (freestanding sculpture on pedestal)
Subject Description
A standard utilitarian porcelain urinal placed horizontally and resting on a white pedestal, inscribed with the pseudonym 'R. Mutt 1917', challenging traditional concepts of art, craftsmanship, and authorship.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent. The glazed ceramic surface is well-preserved with no noticeable cracks, chips, or major structural losses.
Estimated Market Value
Museum quality / Priceless (comparable replicas have achieved millions in private sales or are institutionally held)
Auction Estimate
Not applicable for public market as primary examples are held in international museums; estimated multi-million range if ever traded
Provenance History
Original 1917 piece was lost; subsequent authorized replicas were produced by Duchamp in limited editions during the mid-20th century, entering major museum collections globally.
Art Historical Significance
One of the most influential and revolutionary artworks of the 20th century, marking the birth of conceptual art and the 'readymade' by redefining everyday manufactured objects as art through selection and context.
Notable Features
Includes the iconic handwritten black signature 'R. Mutt 1917' on the left side of the ceramic rim, which serves as both the title of the creator and a provocative joke.
Condition Issues
None apparent from visual inspection; standard museum maintenance.
Conservation Recommendations
Display in a secure, climate-controlled gallery environment on a stable white plinth, requiring only gentle dusting of the ceramic surface.