$4 Vase Found At VA Goodwill Sells At Auction For $107K

RICHMOND, VA — Horse trainer Jessica Vincent got a bit more than she bargained for after purchasing a glass vase for $3.99 at a Virginia thrift shop.

In fact, she later learned what she purchased at a Goodwill store in Richmond during one of her weekly visits to thrift shops in the area was a rare Italian Pennellate vase that recently sold for $107,100 at auction.

"I bought it thinking it would look beautiful in my house somewhere," Vincent told The Associated Press in an interview. "I definitely didn’t buy it thinking, 'Oh, I’m going to sell this.'"

According to Wright Auction House, who later sold the vase to an anonymous buyer in Europe, Vincent discovered the piece on a high shelf in an aisle crowded with people. She waited a few minutes before she took it in her hands and examined its painted spirals of amethyst and green. She read the words "Murano" and "Italia" on its base, she told the AP.

Vincent is no stranger to unique thrift store finds. The purchase came after years of perusing yard sales and thrift stores with her mother. She loves PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” and has daydreamed many times of this kind of lottery ticket-level transaction.

Back home, Vincent posted photos in Facebook groups for glass art and soon joined a private one for Murano glass.

The "Murano" on the vase’s bottom referred to the island in Venice that has been famous for its glasswork since the 13th century. Its highly prized creations have included ornate crystal chandeliers and mirror frames, many of which adorn the palaces of Europe’s aristocracy.

The vase itself was designed by Italian architect Carlo Scarpa, who died in 1978, according to Wright.

Vincent was referred to Richard Wright, president of the Wright Auction House in Chicago.

Wright described it as "one of the rarest pieces we have offered in more than a decade of auctions."

"Carlo Scarpa designed the Pennellate series for Venini in 1942 and pieces from this series are exceptionally rare to see," Wright wrote in the vase's auction description. "The technique itself — Pennellate meaning brushstroke — was achieved by adding colored opaque glass to the vase as it was being blown, and dragging the material around the circumference of the piece until the level of desired transparency was achieved."

Few vases were made because of the difficult process, the listing continued, adding, "Unfortunately, there are many false pieces of Carlo Scarpa’s work in the world, but to see and feel a genuine example is a revelation and pleasure beyond description."

Wright Auction House said it will get about $23,600 from the purchase of Vincent's vase, while she will receive about $83,500.

Vincent said a good chunk of the money will go to installing an HVAC system into an old farmhouse she recently bought. It is currently being warmed by space heaters.

“I’m not independently wealthy, so it’s going to be really good to have a little breathing room,” added Vincent, who, with her partner, trains polo horses, sport horses and trail horses.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.