The world of thrifting often holds hidden gems, but for Jessica Vincent, a Richmond, Virginia native, her penchant for secondhand shopping led to an astonishing discovery. A routine visit to a local Goodwill store transformed into a financial windfall when a glass vase, bought for a mere $3.99, was sold at an auction for over $107,000. This remarkable story highlights the unpredictability of value in art and antiques, where a keen eye can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Jessica Vincent, a long-time thrifter, recounts her regular visits to secondhand stores with her partner, a pastime they engaged in several times a week. During one of these visits in June, Vincent spotted a unique vase. With an innate talent for identifying valuable items, she immediately recognized its quality despite its placement among less notable items. The vase’s design, featuring a swirling pattern of translucent red and opaque seafoam green glass, was distinctively eye-catching.
Upon closer examination at home, Vincent noticed markings on the vase’s base indicating its Italian Murano glass origin. Unsure of one word in the logo, she turned to a Facebook glassware group for help. The group quickly identified the word “Venini,” linking the vase to the renowned Italian glassworks company. Further discussions revealed that the vase was a part of the “Pennellate” series by Carlo Scarpa, an architect and designer for Venini in the 1940s. This series, known for its rarity and difficulty in production, was described by Wright’s founder, Richard Wright, as “among the most innovative on the island of Murano.”
With its painterly appearance and scarce production numbers, the vase was confirmed as authentic by experts from the auction house Wright. Valued between $30,000 and $50,000, it sold for over double the highest estimate. The buyer’s identity, an “esteemed collector,” remains undisclosed.
Jessica Vincent’s extraordinary find illuminates the unpredictable and often overlooked value that can be found in everyday items, particularly in the world of thrifting. Her story is not just about a lucrative sale but also about the joy of discovery and the validation of her keen eye for valuable items. As she continues her thrift store adventures, Vincent’s tale reminds us of the hidden treasures waiting to be found, urging us to look a little closer at the world around us.
