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$300 Art Nouveau Treasure for Under $3 – My Top 5 Thrifting Tips

Blue and white Art Nouveau vase held up in the car after a thrift store find

This week’s find had me doing a double-take! I discovered an original German Art Nouveau pottery vase from around 1920, made by Simon Peter Gerz Höhr. It’s a gorgeous grey and cobalt blue ceramic with a bird perched on an oaken branch—so delicate and charming. These pieces are quite collectible, known for their intricate designs and quality craftsmanship. Simon Peter Gerz was a prominent manufacturer during this period, especially celebrated for its stoneware and ceramic artistry. Similar pieces are listed online for nearly $300, but I snatched it up today at a thrift store for just $2.92. Those blues and whites felt like they were made for me!

Want to score treasures like this too? Here are my top 5 thrifting tips:

1️⃣ Know Your Style: Having a sense of what you love helps you spot those gems in the chaos.

2️⃣ Check for Quality: Look for craftsmanship—heavy pottery, solid wood, or hand-painted details often signal value.

3️⃣ Don’t Skip the Clearance: Sometimes the best finds are hiding in the corners or clearance bins.

4️⃣ Be Patient: Thrifting is a treasure hunt—don’t rush it, and give yourself time to dig through the shelves.

5️⃣ If You Don’t Love It, Leave It: My rule—if it doesn’t spark joy, I leave it for someone else to find and love.

Sharing the love—now that’s BombDiggity!

Who even needs flowers when the leaves are a riot of colors right now? It’s fall in Tennessee, and I couldn’t be more excited! 🍂 Stay tuned for more fall fun tomorrow!

You might also enjoy Tips for Scoring Vintage Wicker Treasures and An Ode to My Dad: Fun Finds.

#FunFindsAndFlowersFriday #ThriftStoreFinds #ArtNouveau #SimonPeterGerz #GermanPottery #VintageVase #FallInTennessee #BombDiggityFind #FarmingAfter50 #countrylivingconnoisseur #SweetBombdiggityFarms

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Lane MorrisJules Morris

Written by

Lane and Jules Morris

Authors and University of Tennessee faculty writing from our farm in East Tennessee about gardening, the farm kitchen, faith and designing a flourishing life at any age. More about us

Country Living Connoisseur

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  • Pull Up a ChairA story from our week
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    Jules in a red shirt picking peppers among the kale and marigolds