Jessica Vincent, a resident of Virginia, recently turned a $3.99 glass vase that she had bought at her neighborhood Goodwill store into an incredible profit that topped $100,000 in a touching story about treasure found in unexpected places.
A regular visitor to the Goodwill store in Hanover County, near Richmond, Vincent’s penchant for secondhand shopping was instilled by her mother. With a keen eye developed through years of exploring thrift stores and fueled by her love for “Antiques Roadshow,” Vincent stumbled upon the seemingly ordinary glass vase in June.
The vase, adorned with a mesmerizing swirling pattern of red and green, immediately caught Vincent’s attention. Little did she know that her thrift store find would soon become a significant discovery. Posting a picture of the vase in glassware Facebook groups, Vincent sought the expertise of fellow enthusiasts to identify its origin.
To her astonishment, members quickly recognized the insignia, identifying the vase as a rare piece crafted by Carlo Scarpa for the renowned Italian glassworks company Venini. The vase belonged to Scarpa’s 1942 Pennellate series, showcasing his groundbreaking work as Venini’s creative director.
Richard Wright, founder of the prestigious Wright auction house, confirmed the rarity of Scarpa’s “Pennellate” series to CNN, stating, “[Scarpa’s] work in glass was among the most innovative on the island of Murano. The ‘Pennellate’ series was not widely produced or purchased in its day — so it is quite rare to find a work such as this one.”
Experts from the auction house authenticated the vase during a visit to Vincent’s home, leading to its listing with an estimated value between $30,000 and $50,000. The final sale surpassed all expectations, doubling the highest estimate.
While Vincent cherished owning a piece of art history, she pragmatically decided to part ways with the valuable vase for financial reasons. L
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