<a href="https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/painting-bought-at-estate-sale-turns-out-to-be-a-salvador-dali-valued-at-25000/" target="_blank">View original image source</a>.
Imagine strolling through an estate sale, peeking at dusty old items, and then suddenly scoring a genuine Salvador Dalí painting for a mere $180. Sounds like a scene from a movie, right? Well, that’s exactly what happened to art dealer John Russel, who discovered “Vecchio Sultano,” an original work from 1966. This mixed-media masterpiece was initially part of a larger, abandoned project intended to illustrate The Arabian Nights, commissioned by an Italian couple back in the day.
Russel’s keen eye and years of practice helped him identify the piece as the real deal, partially due to its association with past Sotheby’s sales. After purchasing this treasure at a clearing auction, he dug a little deeper and found out it could be worth as much as $37,000 at auction! Imagine that kind of profit—talk about flipping the script on a boring Saturday afternoon!
The treasure hunt story is a delightful reminder that sometimes, treasures are hiding in plain sight, just waiting for someone to take a chance. So, is there a dusty painting in your attic that’s on the verge of fame? Or maybe a trinket that’s got a hidden story yet to be uncovered? Who knows what could be lurking around in grandma’s attic waiting to be discovered!
What would you do if you found an incredibly valuable piece of art in an unexpected place? Would you keep it or sell it? Let’s hear your thoughts!
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