Many people love the thrill of hunting for hidden treasures at thrift stores and garage sales.
There’s a unique joy in discovering an item that not only fits perfectly into your home or wardrobe, but also carries the promise of a story.
Yet, it’s not every day that a find costing less than five dollars turns into a small fortune!
This was precisely the case for Jessica Vincent, a Virginia native and polo pony raiser, whose routine visit to a Goodwill store led to an extraordinary discovery.
Among the aisles of second-hand goods, a unique glass vase caught her eye.
Little did she know, this $3.99 find was a rare gem with a rich history and an incredible value.
She told WGN News:
“I took it home and immediately started to research what I could about the mark.”
The vase, with its mesmerizing swirls of red and seafoam green, was not just any decorative piece.
It was the work of Carlo Scarpa, a renowned Italian architect known for his distinctive glass designs.
Scarpa’s creations are celebrated for their artistic innovation, particularly his technique of applying color during the glass-blowing process, which makes each piece a unique work of art.
This particular vase was a testament to Scarpa’s belief that glassware could transcend its functional form to become a piece of fine art.
Jessica’s thrifting savvy led her to seek advice from a collectors’ Facebook group, which eventually connected her with the Wright auction house in Chicago.
Specialists from Wright were quick to recognize the vase’s significance and made Jessica an offer that was hard to turn down.
The vase, which had miraculously survived decades without a single chip or scratch, was sold for an astounding $107,000!
“For me, it’s like winning the lottery really. It’s just an incredible thing,” Jessica shared with USA TODAY, still amazed by her stroke of luck.
This windfall came at a perfect time for Jessica, who had recently purchased an old farmhouse in need of significant renovations.
The sale of the vase meant she could now afford essential upgrades, like a new heating system.
While the vase was a beautiful object, Jessica felt that the financial security it offered was more valuable.
She reflected on the responsibility of housing such a valuable and important piece, considering the risks of damage from unforeseen events like earthquakes or fires.
Richard Wright, the founder of the Wright auction house, emphasized the rarity of such a find, especially in pristine condition.
He noted that even a minor chip could have drastically reduced the vase’s value.
The journey of this Scarpa vase, from a sophisticated owner in the 1940s to a thrift store shelf in Virginia, all while remaining in perfect condition, was indeed remarkable.
The vase has since found a new home with a European collector of Italian glass.
Wright expressed his hope that this exquisite piece would eventually be donated to a museum, ensuring its artistic value and historical significance are preserved and appreciated by future generations.
Jessica’s story is a reminder of the unexpected treasures that can be found in everyday places.
For thrifters and antique lovers, it’s a dream scenario, a reminder that sometimes, the most remarkable discoveries are waiting to be found in the most unassuming locations.
Kinda makes you want to go thrifting, doesn’t it?
Watch the video below to hear more details about this incredible story!
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