A routine Wednesday afternoon trip to the local Goodwill store in Evanston, Illinois, turned into a life-changing event for local resident John Carcerano when he found an 18th-century Chinese porcelain plate valued in the thousands of dollars for a paltry $4.99. Such an improbable discovery attests to the treasures lying in plain sight inside thrift stores and knowledge one needs to identify such finds.
Discovery: A hidden gem underneath a modern plate
In October 2024 while recuperating from a long illness-eight months-kept him away from work. Carcerano made it a habit to scan the Evanston Goodwill beneath Chicago’s tony northern suburbs. His diligence paid off on this particular Thursday when he spotted a 14-inch rectangular plate buried under a modern dish atop a cart filled with just-arrived stuff.
Key details of the find:
- Location: Three other shoppers had rummaged through the same cart and missed the plate.
- Condition: In pristine condition, with no scratches or signs of use, unlike most items found in thrift stores.
- Initial research: Carcerano used Google Lens to find similar pieces and found one that sold for $4,400. “I knew within five minutes I had something valuable,” he told Newsweek.
Authenticating the treasure
Carcerano, A 35-year-old antiques collector was looking for the authentication. Sotheby’s determined that the plate was a “Chinese export armorial chamfered rectangular platter” from the Qianlong period (ca 1755) of the Qing dynasty and it bore the arms of Mendes Da Costa, a family of great importance among Jewish families.
Bonhams and Leslie Hindman Auctioneers also authenticated it, estimating its worth between $4,000 to $6,000. Even Carcerano posted pictures on Facebook groups focused on Chinese porcelain, and collectors confirmed there how rare it was. This plate has appeared at auction only twice in the past 50 years.
Historical significance: A window on the Qianlong period
The craft and provenance of the plate are thus an intriguing window onto a world of 18th-century Chinese export art:
- Design: Displays armorial decoration commissioned by élite European families—a testimony to cross-cultural trading at the time of the Qing dynasty.
- Rarity: Combining Chinese porcelain techniques with Western heraldry makes it a much-sought-after item by collectors of both Judaica and Asian antiques.
Auction prospects and strategic selling
Scheduled for Sotheby’s June 2025 Judaica auction in New York, the rare fusion of Chinese and Jewish heritage on this plate could easily drive its value beyond pre-sale estimates. Carcerano weighs his options, the global platform and highly specialized buyer base at Sotheby’s might fetch more bidders.
While online platforms may reach the $4,400 threshold, auction houses carry with them prestige and competitive bidding environments.
The thrill of thrifting: Strategy and expertise
Carcerano’s success was no coincidence; it was the result of his experience over the years and strategic hunting. He would wait hours for new inventory carts to be rolled in and then pounce when those items reached the floor
The location of the Evanston store near affluent communities helped increase the prospects of high end donations. His studies on Asian antiques allowed him to recognize good deals. “The average person doesn’t know anything about Chinese porcelain, “he commented.
A testament to tenacity and knowledge
A $4.99 plate by John Carcerano proved to be an all-provenir on how thrift stores can afford the most astonishing returns for those with a good eye and dedication. Now, this artifact commands new allure for historical artifacts and some cultural heritage-linked importance as it goes to auction. For aspirant thrifters, the story of Carcerano offers a lesson showing patience, expertise, and a bit of luck can transform the mundane into a great find in everyday shopping.
Sotheby’s will feature Carcerano’s plate in its upcoming Judaica sale, the first time that a Chinese export item with Jewish heraldry has come to the specialized market.
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