Vase from Virginia Goodwill sells for over $100K

As Jessica Vincent made her way in June through a busy Goodwill thrift store in Hanover County, nothing really caught her eye — until she saw an iridescent glass vase.

After a lap around the store, she returned to the bottle-shaped vase with red and green swirls. She noticed a small “M” on the bottom she believed stood for Murano, an island off Venice and the historical home of Italian glassware.

Vincent, 43, had a feeling it might be worth something. There was no price on the vase. When the cashier rang her up, it was $3.99.

When she returned home, she joined Facebook groups for glass identification. Some members told her it looked like it was designed by Carlo Scarpa, a renowned Italian architect, and referred her to Wright Auction House.

She sent photos, and Richard Wright, president of the auction house, asked if he could call.

“The minute I saw the photos I had a really good feeling,” he said.

The vase was auctioned Wednesday for $107,100 to an unidentified private art collector in Europe. About $83,500 went to Vincent, and about $23,600 to the aution house.

Specialists who evaluated the piece determined it was part of the “Pennellate” series that Scarpa designed in the 1940s. It’s not known how many vases of this kind were made, Wright said.

“This was like a winning lottery ticket,” he said.

It was unclear how the vase got to the Goodwill store.

Vincent, who trains polo horses, bought a farmhouse that was built in 1930. It needs major renovations, and for now, it is being warmed with two space heaters. With her newfound money, she hopes to upgrade her heating system, install a dishwasher and add fencing.