Thrift store vase bought for $4 sells for over $100K
What's the story
Jessica Vincent, a resident of Virginia, USA, stumbled upon a hidden treasure when she bought a glass vase for just $3.99 at a Goodwill store in Hanover County.
Little did she know, the vase was a rare piece of Italian glassware designed by renowned architect Carlo Scarpa in the 1940s.
Initially thinking it might be worth $1,000 or $2,000, Vincent was shocked when the vase sold at auction for over $100,000.
Details
Identifying the vase's origin and value
Curious about the small 'M' on the bottom of the vase, Vincent suspected it could be from Murano, an island near Venice famous for its glasswork.
After some online research and discussions with fellow enthusiasts, she discovered the vase's resemblance to Carlo Scarpa's work.
Upon receiving photos from her, President Richard Wright of Wright Auction House promptly contacted her, expressing, "The moment I saw the photos, I had a strong intuition."
What Next?
Auction house sale and new owner
The vase was eventually purchased for $107,100 by an anonymous European art collector.
Richard Wright explained that the high value was due to Carlo Scarpa's design and the unique technique of applying brush strokes of color during the glass-blowing process.
He added that "Scarpa glass is sort of considered to be the very best" in the Italian glass world. The vase's journey from a Virginia thrift store to a European collector is truly remarkable.
Shocking factor
From Virginia Goodwill to European museum
Wright Auction House founder Richard Wright expressed disbelief as a valuable vase, likely purchased by a sophisticated collector in the 1940s, ended up at a Virginia Goodwill store without a scratch.
Despite the odds, the vase, valued at over $10,000, was sold to a discerning European collector of Italian glass.
Wright hopes the vase, now in the hands of an advanced collector, will find its way to a museum where its true value will be appreciated for generations to come.
Insights
Life-changing impact for Vincent
Vincent described the sale as a "life-changing amount of money," grateful that her years of thrifting experience had paid off.
She recently bought an old farmhouse in need of renovation and can now afford a heating system.
Vincent admitted that keeping such a valuable item in her home would have been nerve-wracking, saying, "It's a lot of responsibility to have such an important and expensive object in your home when you're not independently wealthy."