Bargain Hunter Strikes Gold With $20 Vintage Thrift Store Decor Find
Some lucky folks know that there are all sorts of valuable, high-end items at thrift stores, all for just a few bucks. From hidden gem glassware to decorative marble boxes, local secondhand stores can be total treasure chests. Just this past month, one fortunate shopper stumbled upon an antique lotus flower lamp, a design from the 1980s that typically goes for hundreds to thousands of dollars. They ended up paying only $20.
One Reddit user submitted their find to the Thrift Store Hauls subreddit, and immediately, this post went viral, receiving over 14,000 upvotes and 200 comments. The tall floor lamp features a curvy black base, four opaque blue glass lotus flowers with gold hardware, and intricate detailing on each petal. This wasn't the first glass lotus piece this thrifter found. Apparently, they also recently scored an oversized table lamp in the same aesthetic for just $12. Since these types of designs usually start pricing around $500, this was a once-in-a-lifetime find.
Where did these lotus designs come from, and how much do they cost?
According to online marketplace 1st Dibs, these types of lotus floor lamps originated in Italy and rose into fashion around the mid to late 20th century. Many of them were manufactured in the '70s and '80s. In fact, in several iconic movies from the '90s, including Jackie Brown and Boogie Nights, you can spot similarly designed lotus lamps standing in the background.
Lamps with this specific type of lotus design typically start around $500, and that's just for table-sized designs. For floor-length versions, like the Elegant Floor Lamp with Four Glass Lotus Flowers from 1st Dibs, the prices start in the thousands. This one in particular, which is a light green version of the Reddit find, is listed at $3,530. Another vintage seller, Pamono, has an Italian-manufactured version from the 1970s, available for $2,490. While you can find more affordable versions from cheaper brands like Wayfair and Walmart, or discounted on eBay, the authentic Italian designs will start around $500. If you're debating how to choose the perfect floor lamp for your space, you may want to consider searching for a similar design. Depending on your budget, you could opt for something brand-new or splurge for a vintage.