Woman discovers $100,000 vase at Goodwill for just $3.99
Jessica Vincent, a second-hand shopping expert, stumbled upon a jackpot item at a Goodwill store in Hanover County, Virginia. She found a colourful vase that she purchased for just $3.99, not realizing its true worth until later.
Vincent, a 43-year-old woman, initially didn’t think much of the vase but was drawn to its beauty. She ultimately decided to purchase it, unaware of its actual value.
After discovering an “M” engraved on the bottom of the vase, Vincent assumed it was made in Murano, Italy, and decided to post a picture on a Facebook page for glassware made in the area. Expert commenters identified it as a piece designed by Carlo Scarpa, a renowned Italian architect, and produced in a Murano glass workshop as a part of the “Pennellate” series from the 1940s.
Vincent then contacted Wright Auction House to inquire about the piece’s authenticity. It was confirmed to be a Scarpa original, and after being listed for auction with an estimated price between $30,000 and $50,000, it was eventually sold for a staggering $107,000 to an unidentified private art collector in Europe.
Nearly $83,500 of the proceeds went to Vincent, who plans to invest the money in repairing a farmhouse she purchased some time ago. She described the discovery as “thrilling” and felt like the universe was “conspiring” to help her.
Richard Wright, president of Wright Auction House, described the discovery as “unbelievable” and referred to it as a “gift from the thrifting gods.”
The vase was donated to Goodwill by an anonymous donor, and Laura Faison, a spokeswoman for Goodwill of central and coastal Virginia, expressed surprise and happiness over the discovery.
The thrilling discovery of the valuable vase has turned Vincent’s day of thrifting into a life-changing event, and she considers it a stroke of luck that will help her move forward.