I'm a firm believer that the most interesting decor pieces come from thrift and antique stores. I love mixing vintage with new things, but I'll take patina and quirkyness over new and mass-produced any day. Every day.
But could I please just catch a break like this....? The painting pictured above was purchased recently for $3 from a Goodwill store less than an hour from my home. Last Saturday, the painting sold for $190,000 at auction. Geez. Turns out it's a Flemish piece from around 1650.
Nice to know this does really happen. Now, if I could only have it happen to me...
20 comments:
That painting makes me want to give up chicken. But that's a pretty awesome story.
Isn't that always how it happens but at least it happens and so glad for the ones it happens to!
Enjoy your day!
XX
Debra~
So cool!
Love these stories....
What are you waiting for, go to the Goodwill!!!!
My mom just scored 2 Hermes blouses at a thrift store on Sunday!!!
what?!?! now that is just insane!
Wow...that is a fabulous story!!! Who would have known?
Absolutely! Could not have said it better. I will take a one of kind piece with a history and story to go with it over anything that a someone can mass produce any time.
I LIVE for stories like this!
Ha. Ya serious Me too. If only.
I can't believe that $3. Makes me want to go thrift shopping right now. :)
What an adventure! We all dream of doing this finds, it CAN happen to someone lucky!
Helle:-
I do love Goodwill and Thrift stores but have never been lucky enough to score anything worth much other than entertainment for myself for a couple of hours!
Wow is right! That's when I wish I was an Art History major and would know the difference b/w something pretty and something pretty+valuable!
Sounds like a trip to that Goodwill might be in order!
xo Elizabeth
I completely agree!! I love a beautiful "find"!! Love the post. I am new to "blogland" and would love for you to drop by. Have a great day.
Sincerely
Shauna
A good story, interesting to read about!
that's....insane. no wonder people become hoarders. i would never peg that for $190K
Seriously? That is just so crazy! I am always encouraging people to get rid of stuff - and I will take it to the goodwill myself for them just to help the process - I better be more careful!!!
That is quite a stunning painting!
Thank you for the sweet comment today. :)
Rachel
What one needs is an educated eye.......a ton of luck; and nothing else!
I once found a rug I had sold to a client for 55,000 dollars......in the dirt......(and I am not exaggerating, in the dirt) at a charity sale for 3500 dollars. Needless to say; I bought it back. I had it appraised.....it was then worth 80,000.00.
After having it cleaned; I sold it to a new client a couple of years later for one half the appraised value.
An astonishing find. Everyone won all around; I think!
My original client took the deduction; the volunteers at the charity were not educated; (they could not tell the difference between an antique handmade rug from a machine made area rug); and I was just a "lucky duck"looking for an area rug for my "Auntie Clare" for her apartment!
It found a wonderful home in a beautiful house I decorated......
I don't know where it is now!!
Incredible story!
That is a beautiful painting.
Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
Helen
I would be so disappointed if I had to sell something I really loved for 19,000. I mean it. I would want the money AND the find.
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