I assumed it was garbage—but I couldn’t have been more mistaken

A Surprising Thrift Store Find

I walked into a local thrift store with no expectations—just killing time and browsing. Nothing stood out at first, until I saw it: a strange object that looked like a cross between a submarine and a potato.

Curious, I picked it up and turned it over.

There, etched on the bottom, were the words:
“Ant. Canella Ferrara, Italy.”

It was ceramic. Handmade. Italian.

The piece had a unique charm—something about its uneven glaze, the odd shape, and the fact that it seemed totally out of place among dusty knickknacks made it feel special.

I flipped over the price tag.
One dollar.
That was all I needed to see.

Without hesitation, I took it to the register. I wasn’t sure what I’d do with it, but I knew I couldn’t leave it behind.

Once home, I did a quick search on the artist’s name. Turns out, Ant. Canella was a mid-century Italian ceramicist known for quirky, hand-molded designs.

What I’d found for a buck could be worth far more—both in money and story.

Sometimes the best treasures are the ones you weren’t looking for.