A quick stop at a second-hand shop in South Carolina turned into a jaw-dropping art find when Amanda Lee Smith spotted an oil painting she couldn’t leave behind. She was browsing after the holiday rush, a time many seasoned thrifters love because homes get cleared out and donations pour in. What looked like just another framed piece leaning against a wall felt different to her instantly. She paid $30 and walked out thinking she’d just scored something special.
Smith, who lives in Greenville, said the post-Christmas stretch is prime time for second-hand hunting because people are eager to part with what no longer fits their space or their plans. While scanning the home section, she noticed a richly colored still life that didn’t need any imagination to see its impact. The painting shows a bowl of fruit beside a gleaming steel pitcher, a classic subject made striking by the light and detail. She later described it as the kind of piece you can picture on a wall immediately, without mentally redecorating the whole room first.
The artwork sits in a gold frame and measures roughly 104 by 147 centimeters, giving it a presence that reads more like a statement than a small decorative accent. Smith works in interiors and runs Blush and Brass Co., where she often looks for pre-owned items to create spaces that feel polished, sustainable, and attainable. That background made her even more confident about trusting her instinct. She was especially surprised by the condition, since thrift-store canvases can be scuffed, faded, or warped, and this one looked close to pristine.
@mandaleesmith 😳 It was only put out an hour ago and honestly surprised it lasted that long! #goodwill #goodwillfinds #thriftfinds #thriftwithme ♬ original sound – Amanda Lee | Blush & Brass
Dating the painting precisely is tricky, but Smith suspects it may have been created sometime between the 1960s and the 1980s. Based on the scale, the frame, and how well it has held up, she estimated it could be worth somewhere between $1,200 and $2,800. Whether or not it lands at the top of that range, it’s the kind of difference that makes a casual purchase feel like a once-in-a-lifetime score. The story was also picked up by Newsweek, adding to the buzz around the find.
She shared the moment on TikTok under @mandaleesmith, where the video quickly drew thousands of views and plenty of excited reactions. Viewers wanted to know where she’d place it, so she posted follow-ups showing how it would live in her home. The only real struggle was getting it into her SUV, which meant folding seats down and carefully maneuvering the frame for the ride back.
Now the painting hangs in her dining room, filling a space she had recently opened up after removing a gallery wall and shifting furniture. Smith said she knew exactly where it belonged the moment she saw it, and she loves how it anchors the room as a focal point. She also noted that the size gives it a structured, almost architectural presence rather than feeling like simple decor.
Have you ever found something unexpectedly special while thrifting, or do you think the best treasures are still out there waiting to be spotted? Share your best second-hand stories in the comments.
