Mr Cattelan’s piece was originally sold for $120,000 (£91,000).

The artwork, titled Comedian, by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was on display at the international gallery Perrotin at Art Basel in Miami. Three buyers bought the limited-edition pieces of the banana art last week.

However, before it could be given to the buyers, performance artist David Datuna pulled it from the wall, peeled it and ate it on Saturday.

Mr Datuna posted on his Instagram: “Art performance by me. I love Maurizio Cattelan artwork and I really love this installation. It’s very delicious.”

Despite the initial anger of a member of staff, the banana was swiftly replaced and no further action will be taken.

The art reportedly comes with a certificate of authenticity, meaning owners can replace the banana.

Lucien Terras, a director at the gallery, told the Miami Herald that Datuna “did not destroy the artwork. The banana is the idea.”

Police were later deployed to guard the replacement banana.