Thrift store shopper finds treasure
mid-20th century, while the vase was part of a series he created in 1942. The collection was called Pennellate, which means brushstroke, and was made by adding colored opaque glass to the vase as it was blown.
“It was basically a duet between Carlo Scarpa and a master blower who had to physically translate (Scarpa’s) drawings,” Wright said. “You have to keep rotating this vase the entire time or it’ll slump off the pipe. While at the same time you’re applying these delicate brushes of color that have this absolute lightness to them.”
Few were made because they were so difficult to create. The auction house knows of only one other in this form and color combination. It is in a private collection.
Wright dispatched two Italian glass specialists to Virginia to confirm the vase’s authenticity. Vincent pulled it from a cardboard box encased in bubble wrap and swaddled in a tablecloth.
“Just the look on their faces,” Vincent recalled.
“It was incredible to have experts who handle very important pieces of glass who were very excited for my little thrift-store vase.”
Perhaps just as miraculous was its perfect condition, Wright said. A small chip in the glass would have reduced its value to less than $10,000.
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.
As for the vase, Vincent hopes it will be in a museum someday.
“My little 1930s farmhouse is not the right showcase for something so spectacular,” Vincent said. “It would also make me super nervous to have it in my house. It’s a lot of responsibility when you find out how much something is worth.”